1964 Arkansas Razorbacks football team

The 1964 Arkansas Razorbacks football team was an American football team that represented the University of Arkansas in the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1964 NCAA University Division football season. In their seventh year under head coach Frank Broyles, the Razorbacks compiled an undefeated 11–0 record (7–0 against SWC opponents), won the SWC championship, closed the regular season with five consecutive shutouts, outscored all opponents by a combined total of 231 to 64, and defeated Nebraska 10–7 in the Cotton Bowl.[1][2]

1964 Arkansas Razorbacks football
FWAA national champion
Helms national champion
SWC champion
ConferenceSouthwest Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 2
APNo. 2
Record11–0 (7–0 SWC)
Head coach
Home stadiumRazorback Stadium
War Memorial Stadium
Seasons
← 1963
1965 →
1964 Southwest Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 2 Arkansas $ 7 0 0 11 0 0
No. 5 Texas 6 1 0 10 1 0
Baylor 4 3 0 5 5 0
Texas Tech 3 3 1 6 4 1
Rice 3 3 1 4 5 1
TCU 3 4 0 4 6 0
Texas A&M 1 6 0 1 9 0
SMU 0 7 0 1 9 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The Razorbacks finished the season as the only major team with an undefeated and untied record after No. 1 Alabama lost to Texas (a team Arkansas defeated in Austin) in the Orange Bowl. However, the AP and UPI Coaches Polls became final before the bowl games were played, leaving one-loss Alabama as the AP and UPI national champion. The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) conducted its final polling after the bowl games and selected Arkansas as the national champion. Arkansas was also selected as national champion by six other selectors, including the Billingsley Report and the Helms Athletic Foundation.[3]

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 19, 19642:00 p.m.Oklahoma State*W 14–1040,000[4]
September 26, 19642:00 p.m.Tulsa*W 31–2225,000–35,000[5][6]
October 3, 19641:00 p.m.at TCUNBCW 29–620,982[7]
October 10, 19642:00 p.m.BaylorNo. 9W 17–641,000[8]
October 17, 19648:00 p.m.at No. 1 TexasNo. 8W 14–1365,700[9]
October 24, 19642:00 p.m.Wichita State*No. 4W 17–038,000[10]
October 31, 19647:30 p.m.at Texas A&MNo. 4W 17–024,000[11]
November 7, 19642:00 p.m.RiceNo. 4W 21–033,000[12]
November 14, 19642:00 p.m.SMUNo. 3W 44–033,000[13]
November 21, 19641:00 p.m.at Texas TechNo. 3W 17–045,000[14]
January 1, 19651:00 p.m.vs. No. 6 Nebraska*No. 2CBSW 10–775,504[15]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

Game summaries

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Oklahoma State

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Game One – Oklahoma State Cowboys at Arkansas Razorbacks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 0 7310
Razorbacks 0 7 7014

at War Memorial StadiumLittle Rock, Arkansas

  • Date: September 19, 1964
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 40,000
Statistics OK ST ARK
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Return yards
Fumbles/lost
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Punts/average
Penalties/yards
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Oklahoma State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Arkansas Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Tulsa

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Game Two – Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Arkansas Razorbacks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Golden Hurricane 7 7 0822
Razorbacks 0 10 21031

at Razorback StadiumFayetteville, Arkansas

  • Date: September 26, 1964
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 25,000–35,000
Statistics TULSA ARK
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Return yards
Fumbles/lost
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Punts/average
Penalties/yards
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Tulsa Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Arkansas Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at TCU

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Game Three – Arkansas Razorbacks at TCU Horned Frogs – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Razorbacks 0 7 02229
Horned Frogs 0 0 066

at Amon G. Carter StadiumFort Worth, Texas

  • Date: October 3, 1964
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 20,982
Statistics ARK TCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Return yards
Fumbles/lost
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Punts/average
Penalties/yards
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Arkansas Passing
Rushing
Receiving
TCU Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Baylor

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Game Four – Baylor Bears at No. 9 Arkansas Razorbacks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bears 6 0 006
No. 9 Razorbacks 7 0 3717

at War Memorial StadiumLittle Rock, Arkansas

  • Date: October 10, 1964
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 40,000
Statistics BAY ARK
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Return yards
Fumbles/lost
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Punts/average
Penalties/yards
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Baylor Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Arkansas Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 1 Texas

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Game Five – No. 8 Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 1 Texas Longhorns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Razorbacks 0 7 0714
No. 1 Longhorns 0 0 01313

at Memorial StadiumAustin, Texas

  • Date: October 17, 1964
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 65,700
Statistics ARK TEX
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Return yards
Fumbles/lost
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Punts/average
Penalties/yards
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Arkansas Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Texas Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Wichita State

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Game Six – Wichita State Shockers at No. 4 Arkansas Razorbacks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Shockers 0 0 000
No. 4 Razorbacks 7 7 0317

at War Memorial StadiumLittle Rock, Arkansas

  • Date: October 24, 1964
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 40,000
Statistics WICH ST ARK
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Return yards
Fumbles/lost
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Punts/average
Penalties/yards
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Wichita State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Arkansas Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Texas A&M

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Game Seven – No. 4 Arkansas Razorbacks at Texas A&M Aggies – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 4 Razorbacks 10 7 0017
Aggies 0 0 000

at Kyle FieldCollege Station, Texas

  • Date: October 31, 1964
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 24,000
Statistics ARK TX A&M
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Return yards
Fumbles/lost
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Punts/average
Penalties/yards
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Arkansas Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Texas A&M Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Rice

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Game Eight – Rice Owls at No. 4 Arkansas Razorbacks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Owls 0 0 000
No. 4 Razorbacks 0 7 01421

at Razorback StadiumFayetteville, Arkansas

  • Date: November 7, 1964
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 33,000
Statistics RICE ARK
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Return yards
Fumbles/lost
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Punts/average
Penalties/yards
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Rice Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Arkansas Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Game Nine – SMU Mustangs at No. 3 Arkansas Razorbacks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Mustangs 0 0 000
No. 3 Razorbacks 7 14 17644

at Razorback StadiumFayetteville, Arkansas

  • Date: November 14, 1964
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 33,000
Statistics SMU ARK
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Return yards
Fumbles/lost
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Punts/average
Penalties/yards
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
SMU Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Arkansas Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Texas Tech

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Game Ten – No. 3 Arkansas Razorbacks at Texas Tech Red Raiders – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 3 Razorbacks 0 0 14317
Red Raiders 0 0 000

at Jones StadiumLubbock, Texas

  • Date: November 21, 1964
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 45,000
Statistics ARK TTU
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Return yards
Fumbles/lost
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Punts/average
Penalties/yards
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Arkansas Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Texas Tech Passing
Rushing
Receiving

1965 Cotton Bowl Classic – vs. No. 6 Nebraska

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Game Eleven – 1965 Cotton Bowl Classic: No. 6 Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. No. 2 Arkansas Razorbacks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 6 Cornhuskers 0 7 007
No. 2 Razorbacks 3 0 0710

at Cotton BowlDallas, Texas

  • Date: January 1, 1965
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 75,504
  • TV: CBS
Statistics NEB ARK
First downs 11 11
Total yards 168 176
Rushes/yards 44–100 34–45
Passing yards 68 131
Return yards
Fumbles/lost 0–0 2–2
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 8–16–2 11–19–1
Punts/average 6–33.3 6–40.2
Penalties/yards 5–25 6–50
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Nebraska Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Arkansas Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Source: Razorback Bowl History – 1965 Cotton Bowl

Arkansas was invited to play in the 1965 Cotton Bowl Classic on January 1, 1965, against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Arkansas' number-one rated defense was giving up only 5.7 points per game, while No. 7 Nebraska's scoring offense was averaging 24.9 points per contest.

Playing before a capacity crowd of 75,504 in Dallas, Arkansas opened the scoring with a field goal by Tom McKnelly in the first quarter. Nebraska took the lead in the second quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by Harry Wilson. Neither team scored in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, fifth-year quarterback Fred Marshall, whose fumbles had stalled Arkansas in the first half, led the Razorbacks on a nine-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. The drive featured a scramble by Marshall for a first down after it appeared he would be sacked and two passes from Marshall to Jim Lindsey, the second taking the ball to the Nebraska five-yard line. Two plays later, junior tailback Bobby Burnett ran one yard for the game-winning touchdown with less than five minutes remaining in the game.[15]

Statistics

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Team

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Passing

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Passing
Player G Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A AY/A TD Int Rate
Gray 11 14 28 50.0 162 5.8 7.2 2 0 122.2

Rushing & Receiving

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Rushing & Receiving
Rushing Receiving Scrimmage
Player G Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
Brasuell 11 178 551 3.1 3 11 112 10.2 0 189 663 3.5 3
Burnett 11 96 318 3.3 8 10 76 7.6 1 106 394 3.7 9
Gray 11 21 33 1.6 2 21 33 1.6 2
Hatfield 11 2 3 1.5 0 2 3 15 0
Crockett 11 7 121 17.3 1 7 121 17.3 1

Scoring

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Scoring
Touchdowns Kicking
Player G Rush Rec Int FR PR KR Oth Tot XPM FGM 2PM Sfty Pts
Burnett 11 8 1 9 54
Brasuell 11 3 3 18
Gray 11 2 2 12
Crockett 11 1 1 6

Team Stats

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Team
Passing Rushing
Split G Cmp Att Pct Yds TD Att Yds Avg TD
Offense 11 6.9 13.3 52.1 87.0 0.5 50.1 181.3 3.6 1.5
Defense 11 7.7 16.5 47.0 82.1 0.3 40.4 97.3 2.4 0.5
Difference –0.8 –3.2 +5.1 +4.9 +0.2 +9.7 +84.0 +1.2 +1.0

Scores by quarter

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1 2 3 4 Total
Arkansas 10 31 28 11 80
Non-conference opponents 7 7 7 10 31
1 2 3 4 Total
Arkansas 24 42 34 59 159
SWC opponents 6 0 0 16 22
1 2 3 4 Total
Arkansas 34 73 59 70 236
All opponents 13 7 7 26 53

Statistical leaders and award winners

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The team's statistical leaders included Fred Marshall with 787 passing yards, Jack Brasuell with 551 rushing yards, Jim Lindsey with 385 receiving yards Nate Lawson with 28 touchdowns, and Bobby Burnett with 54 points scored (9 touchdowns).[16]

Arkansas linebacker Ronnie Caveness was selected by the Associated Press (AP), Newspaper Enterprise Association, Football Writers Association of America, Time magazine, and the Sporting News as a first-team player on the 1964 College Football All-America Team. Caveness was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Eight Arkansas players were selected by the AP or United Press International (UPI) as first-team players on the 1964 All-Southwest Conference football team: Caveness (AP-1, UPI-1); quarterback Fred Marshall (AP-1, UPI-1); offensive end Jerry Lamb (AP-1, UPI-1), offensive tackle Glen Ray Hines (AP-1, UPI-1), defensive halfback Ken Hatfield (AP-1), defensive guard Jim Johnson (AP-1), and defensive tackles Loyd Phillips (AP-1), wide receiver Nate Lawson (all-time legend) and Jim Williams (AP-1).[17][18]

Split national championship and controversy

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With its victory in the Cotton Bowl and Alabama's loss to Texas (a team Arkansas had defeated in Austin) in the Orange Bowl, Arkansas finished the 1964 season as the only major team with an undefeated and untied record. On January 6, 1965, a five-man committee of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) selected Arkansas as the winner of Look magazine's Grantland Rice Trophy as the top college football team in the country. Arkansas received four of five first-place votes, with Texas receiving the fifth vote. Alabama did not receive a single vote for first, second, or third place. The five members of the FWAA committee were Si Burick, Dayton Daily News; Fred Russell, Nashville Banner; Blackie Sherrod, Dallas Times Herald; Steve Weller, Buffalo Evening News; and Paul Zimmerman, Los Angeles Times.[19] Arkansas is also recognized as the 1964 national champion by Billingsley Report, College Football Researchers Association, Helms Athletic Foundation, National Championship Foundation, Poling System, Sagarin, and Sagarin (ELO-Chess).[3][20]

However, the final AP and UPI Coaches polls were released before bowl games were played, and Alabama therefore remained as the national champion in the AP and UPI Coaches' Polls.[21] Because of the controversy, the AP Poll experimented with a voting model that took the final vote to select their champion after the bowl games in the 1965 season. In 1966, the AP Poll went back to taking the final vote at the conclusion of the regular season before finally adopting the post-bowl season model in 1968. The UPI Coaches' Poll adopted the post-bowl season model in 1974, a decade after the controversies surrounding the 1964, 1965, 1970, and 1973 national championships, seasons in which the winner of the Coaches' Poll went on to lose their bowl game.

Roster

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James Pullen

References

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  1. ^ "Arkansas Yearly Results (1960-1964)". College Football Data Warehouse. David DeLassus. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  2. ^ "1964 Arkansas Razorbacks Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  3. ^ a b 2017 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records (PDF). Indianapolis: The National Collegiate Athletic Association. July 2017. pp. 113–114. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  4. ^ "Arkansas Hangs On For Win". Austin American-Statesman. September 20, 1964. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Comeback Nets Arkansas Win". Austin American-Statesman. September 27, 1964. p. D2 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Tulsa Golden Hurricane Football Record & Fact Book 2022" (PDF). University of Tulsa. p. 183. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  7. ^ "Hogs Chew TCU Again". Austin American-Statesman. October 4, 1964. pp. C1, C5 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Jim Montgomery (October 11, 1964). "Porkers Kill Baylor, 17-6". Austin American-Statesman. pp. B1, B2.
  9. ^ "Texas Gamble Fails; Arkansas 14-13 Victor". Austin American-Statesman. October 18, 1964. p. D1 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Porkers Halt Wichita, 17 to 0". Austin American-Statesman. October 25, 1964. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Razorbacks Blank Ags, 17-0". Abilene Reporter-News. November 1, 1946. p. 3D – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Porkers Whitewash Rice For 9th Win". The Odessa American. November 8, 1964. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Arkansas Punches To Easy 44-0 Win". Lake Charles American Press. November 15, 1964. p. 38 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Arkansas Blanks TT, Closes Out Unbeaten". The Pampa Daily News. November 22, 1964. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ a b Curt Mosher (January 2, 1965). "Somebody Up There Likes Arkansas, 10-7". The Lincoln Journal. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "1964 Arkansas Razorbacks Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 25, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "1964 AP All SWC". Del Rio News Herald. November 29, 1964. p. 6.
  18. ^ "1964 UPI All SWC". Valley Morning Star. December 1964. p. 8.
  19. ^ "WOOOOO, Pig! Razorbacks Win Grantland Trophy". The Longview Daily News. January 7, 1965. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Kirlin, Bob. "Helms Athletic Foundation/Bill Schroeder National Champions of College Football 1883–1982". Retrieved December 31, 2007.
  21. ^ Kirlin, Bob. "Coaches' polls (UPI 1950–1990, CNN/USA Today 1991–present)". Archived from the original on January 5, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2007.