Late Arkansas QB learned to be patient

FAYETTEVILLE — In 1963, the late Frank Broyles made the very best three-year quarterback determination in Arkansas Razorbacks historical past.

Broyles’ determination resounds with final week’s passing of Jon Brittenum at 78.

From 1959-62, the Razorbacks went 9-2, 8-3, 8-3, and 9-2 with 3 Southwest Convention championships and a SWC runner-up.

In 1963, Arkansas wallowed 5-5.

Amongst components sidetracking the ’63 Hogs, the late Orville Henry wrote in “The Razorbacks” he co-authored with late fellow Corridor of Fame sportswriter Jim Bailey, had been accidents and indecision at quarterback.

Juniors Invoice Grey and Fred Marshall, and sophomore Jon Brittenum all performed.

All can be inducted into the Razorbacks Corridor of Honor, however not off that yr of quarterback musical chairs.

Through the ’63 postseason, Broyles determined his quarterbacks for ’64 and ’65.

Marshall, therapeutic from a shoulder damage, can be his 1964 senior beginning quarterback. Grey, the trio’s greatest athlete, would begin within the secondary and double as back-up quarterback.

Brittenum redshirted whereas prepping for ’65 and ’66.

Grey began for a protection that posted 5 consecutive shutouts, and was quarterback for wins over Oklahoma State and Tulsa with Marshall injured.

In any other case, Marshall quarterbacked the Hogs to an 11-0 nationwide championship championship.

The redshirt Brittenum greater than bided his time. He was All-SWC in 1965 and ’66. 

Fast on the choice with the “strongest arm” of any Broyles quarterback, Henry wrote of that pre-Joe Ferguson period, and provoking the statewide music “Jon Brittenum Quarterbacking Man,” Brittenum in ’65 quarterbacked one other SWC unbeaten champion.

His repeated passes to Bobby Crockett on the 80-yard drive overcoming Texas, 27-24 accomplished by Brittenum’s quarterback sneak landing vaulted Arkansas to AP No. 1.

“I instructed myself if I fumbled, I’d run out of that stadium and disappear without end,” Henry quoted Brittenum.

Had not a dislocated shoulder disappeared Brittenum through the 14-7 Cotton Bowl loss to LSU, he may need quarterbacked Arkansas to a different 11-0.

Classes from too many quarterbacks spoiling the broth, Broyles forgot in 1974. Weekly wavering between Mark Miller, Mike Kirkland and Scott Bull throughout a 6-4-1 season, Broyles in ’75 moved Miller to security, began quarterback Kirkland till his early season-ending damage, and elevated back-up Bull to quarterback Broyles’ ultimate SWC championship workforce that gained the Cotton Bowl.

Again-up quarterbacks filling in performed key Razorbacks roles ever after, however Arkansas’ greatest groups largely had been quarterbacked by one important man.

SEC-winless Chad Morris seasons had been outlined by fixed quarterback shuffling.

Quarterback stabilized vastly with Coach Sam Pittman counting on grad switch Feleipe Franks in 2020, plus back-up KJ Jefferson, who began successfully in opposition to Missouri with Franks injured. Jefferson excelled because the 2021 starter and nonetheless excels.

Grant this to Morris: He in 2019 recruited Jefferson and present beginning offensive linemen Brady Latham, Beaux Limmer, Ricky Stromberg and Luke Jones, and tight finish Trey Knox.

Aside from Stromberg and Knox, Morris redshirted all of them.

To Pittman they’re presents that carry on giving.