Running back Darren McFadden entered his name into the 2008 NFL draft after the 2007 season. He left Arkansas holding most of the school's rushing records, to include rushing yards in a single game (321), a season (1,830), and a career (4,590). The single game total is also an SEC record. McFadden became only the second player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, along with former Hog Ben Cowins. McFadden also became the second player in SEC history with three straight 1,000 yard seasons, alongside Herschel Walker.
Pre-season
Ranking
The 2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team was selected in the top 25 in several pre-season polls.
Pre-season coaching changes
Due to plans for David Lee to be hired as its co-offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn departed to Tulsa. Malzahn's departure led to Lee being named the sole offensive coordinator.[1][2][3][4]
Louis Campbell was previously the secondary coach, but was moved off the field after being named assistant athletic director for administrative services.[5]
Chris Vaughn was named the safeties coach and will continue his role as the director of on-campus recruiting.[5]
Due to Danny Nutt's resignation as the running backs coach because of a recurrence of bleeding from his brain stem, the University of Arkansas has hired Tim Horton as its running backs coach.[6][7]
Head coach Houston Nutt resigned from his position on November 26, 2007. With Nutt's resignation, the Razorbacks' defensive coordinator Reggie Herring was named the interim head coach for the Razorbacks' bowl game.[17]
Due to Herring becoming the interim head coach, Louis Campbell coordinated the defense and Pierre Brown coached the linebackers in the Razorbacks' bowl game.[18]
On December 11, 2007, former Louisville Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Petrino was introduced as the new coach.[19] However, Petrino handled recruiting for the Razorbacks for the 2008 season and did not coach the bowl game.
Chris Vaughn resigned from his position to head to Ole Miss. Because of this, Louis Campbell also coached the safeties in their bowl game.
On December 2, 2007, the Arkansas Razorbacks accepted the invitation to play in the Cotton Bowl Classic against the Missouri Tigers.[29] Arkansas lost to Missouri, 38–7, and their all-time record in the Cotton Bowl Classic fell to 3–7–1.
Alabama built an early 21-point lead but had to mount a come-from-behind drive in the final two minutes of the game in order to capture a 41–38 victory.[30]
Assistant ad for internal operations – Louis Campbell
Strength & conditioning – Don Decker
Graduate assistant – Jeff Norrid
Graduate assistant – Courtney Sanders
Recruiting coordinator – Chris Vaughn §
Director of high school relations – Clifton Ealy
Director of athletic training – Dean Weber
Equipment manager – Tim Cheney
§ Resigned before AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic
† Promoted for AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic
References
^Schad, Joe (January 15, 2007). "Arkansas' Malzahn headed to Tulsa; Mustain next?". ESPN. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
^"David Lee Named Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach". Hogwired. January 17, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
^Report: Malzahn Leaving Arkansas For Tulsa | RazorBloggers Network
^The Morning News: News : Lee Hired As Offensive Coordinator At Arkansas[permanent dead link]
^ abc"Campbell Named Assistant AD and Vaughn Returns to Football Field". Hogwired. February 21, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
^"Health issues force Danny Nutt to resign as Arkansas RBs coach". USA Today. July 17, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2007.
^"Tim Horton in as Arkansas RBs coach". USA Today. July 18, 2007. Retrieved July 19, 2007.
^Buchanan, Olin (April 27, 2007). "The 2007 Contenders: Outland/Lombardi Awards". Rivals. Archived from the original on January 26, 2008. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
^"Jonathan Luigs Named to Outland Trophy Watch List". Hogwired. June 12, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
^Buchanan, Olin (April 5, 2007). "Heisman contenders all chasing McFadden". Rivals. Archived from the original on July 11, 2007. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
^ abc"Trio of Razorbacks Named to Maxwell Award Watch List". Hogwired. June 25, 2007. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
^Buchanan, Olin (March 12, 2007). "The 2007 Contenders: Doak Walker Award". Rivals. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
^"McFadden Named to Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List". Hogwired. August 22, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2007.
^"McFadden and Jones Named to 2007 Doak Walker Award Watch List". Hogwired. August 28, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2007.
^"Jeremy Davis Named to 2007 Ray Guy Award Watch List". Hogwired. September 19, 2007. Retrieved September 18, 2007.
^ abcd"2007 SEC Football Media Days Voting Announced". SEC Sports. July 27, 2007. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
^"Houston Nutt Steps Down as Razorback Football Coach". Hogwired. November 26, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
^"Reggie Herring Press Conference – Bowl Season". Hogwired. November 28, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
^"Bobby Petrino Named Razorback Football Coach". Hogwired. December 11, 2007. Archived from the original on May 26, 2009. Retrieved December 11, 2007.
^"Razorback Jonathan Luigs Wins Rimington Trophy". Hogwired. December 6, 2007. Archived from the original on January 24, 2010. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
^"Darren McFadden Wins Second-Straight Doak Walker Award". Hogwired. December 6, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
^"Arkansas' McFadden named Walter Camp Player of the Year". CBS Sports. December 6, 2007. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
^"Florida QB Tebow is first underclassman to win Heisman". ESPN. December 8, 2007. Archived from the original on December 10, 2007. Retrieved December 8, 2007.
^"Darren McFadden One of Three Finalists for Maxwell Award". Hogwired. November 19, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
^"McFadden, Jones Named Doak Walker Award Semifinalists". Hogwired. November 13, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
^"Farod Jackson Named Draddy Trophy Semifinalist". Hogwired. October 11, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
^ abcdefgh"2007 All-SEC Football Team Announced". SEC Sports. December 4, 2007. Archived from the original on December 8, 2007. Retrieved December 4, 2007.
^ abcd"2007 SEC Football All-Freshman Team Announced". SEC Sports. December 6, 2007. Archived from the original on January 2, 2008. Retrieved December 8, 2007.
^"Razorbacks Accept Cotton Bowl Invitation to Play Missouri". Hogwired. December 2, 2007. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2007.
^"Caddell TD caps wild finish as Bama upsets Arkansas". ESPNU.com. The Disney Company. September 15, 2007. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2007.