A Look Back at 3 Special Memories at War Memorial

Jul 15, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; General view of an Arkansas Razorbacks helmet during SEC media days at the Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Love it or hate it, War Memorial Stadium has been home to some iconic games for the Arkansas football program.

It’s that time of year again for the Razorbacks. This week the Hogs will be taking on Alcorn State in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium. However, it was not too terribly long ago that Arkansas played more than just FCS opponents in WMS.

Now, I am not here to try to say whether it’s right or wrong to take games out of the War Memorial Stadium, as the great debate will go on for another 50 years without my help. What I am here to say is that there is no denying we’ve all seen some really special games in Little Rock.

Out of all the memories at Memorial, three games come to mind. They are special not just to me but to anyone who was a fan at that time and if you were lucky enough to be there, some of the most electric crowds in Razorback history.

Jan 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks mascot carries out the school flag before the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Liberty Bowl. Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the Kansas State Wildcats 45-23. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Coming in at number 3 for the list is Arkansas vs Kentucky in 1998.

It was a game of firsts for Arkansas. It was only the fourth game for first-year head coach, Houston Nutt. This game would be the first ever meeting between the Razorbacks and the Wildcats.

There was no denying that Little Rock loved Houston Nutt, so for his first season, they packed War Memorial Stadium out and got that place rocking. Tim Couch would pick away at the Hogs defense to build a solid 20-7 lead but it wouldn’t be enough. Arkansas legend, Clint Stoerner would rally the Razorbacks for 20 straight points to come back and beat Kentucky 27-20.

The 1998 season would go on to be a historic season for Houston Nutt. Arkansas would end up going 9-3 in the regular season and lose to Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. Sadly, this would be the second best regular season record for Nutt.

At number two, is the Arkansas vs South Carolina game from the 2001 season, which to many fans is simply known as “The Block.”

For the most part, the 2001 Hogs vs Cocks game in War Memorial Stadium was all defense . Coaching Hall of Fame legend, Lou Holtz, brought his #9 South Carolina team to Little Rock looking for a fight and that’s just what he got.

The season had started out rough for the Hogs, going 2-3 as they went into Little Rock. Their only wins to this point had come from UNLV and Weber State. Though it may have looked like it would be a long season for Arkansas, Little Rock fans showed up in full force and filled War Memorial to capacity.

During the first quarter, the Hogs would march down the field with an impressive drive resulting in a field goal from Brennan O’Donohoe. It would end up being the only score of the first half for either team and the only field goal made the entire game.

Coming out of the half, backup quarterback Corey Jenkins would lead the Gamecocks to find the end zone with a 41-yard scramble. On the very next possession, the Hogs would respond with a touchdown of their own, giving them a 10-7 lead.

“The Block”

During the 4th quarter, with 6:23 seconds left, Lou Holt’s South Carolina began their march down the field. With 53 seconds left in the game, Holtz decided to go for the field goal and send the game into overtime. Carlos Hall had other plans and with less than a minute to play, blocked the field goal and gave Arkansas the win over 9th ranked South Carolina. War Memorial Stadium erupted and it was amazing.

The win over South Carolina would give the Hogs an 11-0 record in Little Rock under Houston Nutt. This game would be a turning point leading to the Razorbacks going 7-6 for the season. They would go on to beat one other ranked opponent, upsetting number 17 Auburn the very next game in Fayetteville. However, with the success they would find during the season, Houston Nutt and the Hogs would go on to lose to number 10 Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.

Nov 15, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; “The Boot” trophy on display before the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the LSU Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The year was 2002. Nick Saban and the number 17 LSU Tigers had come to War Memorial Stadium. It was more than a battle for the Boot between the two rivals, it was a battle for the SEC Western Division Title. It was the “Miracle on Markham.”

I get goosebumps just typing it. It is considered by many fans and Razorback media members to be the greatest game ever played by Arkansas. It is THE game when talking about War Memorial.

Once ever so often during the history of a football program, there is a defining moment for fans and players alike. I can remember the Stoerner to Lucas throw against Tennessee like it was five minutes ago. The “Miracle on Markham” is THAT moment for most Arkansas fans. It is not rivaled by any other moment in Razorback history except for the National Championship in 1965. Everyone knows where they were and what they were doing when Arkansas was “Best in the West”.

The Tigers came out fierce getting a 10-0 lead for the first half. Arkansas finally found the end zone in the third quarter cutting the lead to three but the tigers soon scored another touchdown going back up 17-7. Then came the fourth quarter.

Arkansas would score on a breakaway run by Talley for 56 yards to bring them back within three points of the Tigers. War Memorial Stadium was starting to come unglued at this point. LSU came back to drive down and kick a field goal, putting them back up 20-14 with 40 seconds left on the clock.

For some fans, the game was over. Arkansas had blown it and they wanted to beat the traffic, so a few filed out, however, most fans at War Memorial Stadium stayed that night to watch history. What was about to happen would shock the college football world.

The Miracle

After the field goal, Arkansas takes over at their own 19-yard line with no timeouts left. Razorback legend, Matt Jones completes a pass to Richard Smith on the very first play for 50 yards down to the 31. It was actually an underthrown pass which was perfect because had Jones led Smith it probably would have been broken up.

The chains are moved. The ball is set. The clock starts running. Jones throws but it’s incomplete. There are 17 seconds left on the clock and it’s second down. War Memorial Stadium feels like a lightning storm is right above the crowd. Everyone’s hair on their neck and arms begins to stand on end.

Jones takes the snap, drops back and takes a step to the left. He begins to scramble to his right and look downfield. He takes one step and throws to the end zone. The crowd at War Memorial goes quiet for a brief moment. Jones finds DeCori Birmingham, who is double covered in the back of the end zone, for a 31-yard touchdown. The excitement from the fans explodes and for miles around, everyone knew the Razorbacks had just done something truly amazing.

The team couldn’t hold back their excitement anymore than the tens of thousands of fans surrounding them and drew an excessive celebration penalty. Even Matt Jones, who was generally pretty chill, was losing his mind on the field. With 9 seconds left on the clock and the ball moved back to the 18-yard line, David Carlton makes the 35-yard field goal to give the hogs a 21-20 win over Nick Saban’s #17 LSU Tigers. The Arkansas Razorbacks were the Western Division SEC Champions. It was a miracle. It is the “Miracle on Markham.”

No matter what side of the stadium debate we find ourselves on, we can all agree that War Memorial has had its share of special games.