2016 Arkansas Razorbacks football team

The 2016 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Razorbacks played their home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville and War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Arkansas played as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by fourth-year head coach Bret Bielema. They finished the season 7–6, 3–5 in SEC play to finish in a tie for fifth place in the Western Division. They were invited to the Belk Bowl where they lost to Virginia Tech, in a game where the Razorbacks blew a 24-0 lead at halftime.

2016 Arkansas Razorbacks football
Arkansas Razorbacks logo
Belk Bowl, L 24–35 vs. Virginia Tech
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Record7–6 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorDan Enos (2nd season)
Offensive schemePro-style
Defensive coordinatorRobb Smith (3rd season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumDonald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Seasons
← 2015
2017 →
2016 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 14 Florida x   6 2     9 4  
No. 22 Tennessee   4 4     9 4  
Georgia   4 4     8 5  
Kentucky   4 4     7 6  
South Carolina   3 5     6 7  
Vanderbilt   3 5     6 7  
Missouri*   2 6     4 8  
West Division
No. 2 Alabama x$^   8 0     14 1  
No. 24 Auburn   5 3     8 5  
No. 13 LSU   5 3     8 4  
Texas A&M   4 4     8 5  
Arkansas   3 5     7 6  
Mississippi State   3 5     6 7  
Ole Miss*   2 6     5 7  
Championship: Alabama 54, Florida 16
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • * Ole Miss and Missouri vacated all wins due to NCAA violations.
Rankings from AP Poll

Schedule

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Arkansas announced its 2016 football schedule on October 29, 2015. The 2016 schedule consists of 7 home games, 4 away games, and 1 neutral site game in the regular season. The Razorbacks will host SEC foes Alabama, Florida, LSU, and Ole Miss, and will travel to Auburn, Mississippi State, and Missouri. Arkansas played against Texas A&M for the eighth year in a row in Arlington, Texas.[1]

The Razorbacks will travel to Fort Worth, Texas to compete against TCU for the first time since 1991, which was the year before the Razorbacks left the Southwest Conference for the SEC. Arkansas will host the three other non–conference games; against Alcorn State from the Southwestern Conference in Little Rock, and versus Louisiana Tech from Conference USA and Texas State from the Sun Belt Conference in Fayetteville.

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 33:00 p.m.Louisiana Tech*SECNW 21–2069,132
September 106:00 p.m.at No. 15 TCU*ESPNW 41–38 2OT48,091
September 176:30 p.m.Texas State*No. 24
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR
SECNW 42–372,114
September 248:00 p.m.vs. No. 10 Texas A&MNo. 17ESPNL 24–4567,751
October 111:00 a.m.Alcorn State*No. 20SECNW 52–1046,988
October 86:00 p.m.No. 1 AlabamaNo. 16
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR
ESPNL 30–4975,459
October 156:00 p.m.No. 12 Ole MissNo. 22
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR (rivalry)
ESPNW 34–3073,786
October 225:00 p.m.at No. 21 AuburnNo. 17ESPNL 3–5687,451
November 52:30 p.m.No. 11 Florida
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR (SEC Nation)
CBSW 31–1074,432
November 126:00 p.m.No. 24 LSUNo. 25
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR (rivalry)
ESPNL 10–3875,156
November 196:00 p.m.at Mississippi StateESPNUW 58–4258,538
November 251:30 p.m.at MissouriCBSL 24–2851,043
December 294:30 p.m.vs. No. 22 Virginia Tech*ESPNL 24–3546,902
Schedule Source:[2][3]

Game summaries

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Louisiana Tech

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Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Arkansas Razorbacks
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bulldogs 7 7 6020
Razorbacks 7 7 0721

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback StadiumFayetteville, AR

  • Date: September 3, 2016
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C) • Wind ESE 9 mph (14 km/h)mph • Sunny
  • Game attendance: 69,132
  • Referee: John McDaid, Tom Quick, Randall Kizer, David Oliver, John Wright, Phil Davenport, Chris Conley, Brian Davis
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Anthony Becht (color), Rocky Boiman (sideline)
  • Source[4]
Game information

At TCU

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Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 15 TCU Horned Frogs
Quarter 1 2 34OT2OTTotal
Razorbacks 3 10 787641
No. 15 Horned Frogs 0 0 7217338

at Amon G. Carter StadiumFort Worth, TX

  • Date: September 10, 2016
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C) • Wind N 17 mph (27 km/h)mph • Partly Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 48,091
  • Referee: Marc Curles, Brent Sowell, Gus Morris, Michael Shirey, Scott Vaughn, Wes Booker, Chuck Russ, Wayne Winkler
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (color), Holly Rowe (sideline)
  • Source[5]
Game information

Texas State

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Texas State Bobcats at No. 24 Arkansas Razorbacks
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bobcats 0 0 303
No. 24 Razorbacks 14 21 7042

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback StadiumFayetteville, AR

  • Date: September 17, 2016
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C), Wind calm, Scattered clouds (Shortened 4th qtr. due to weather)
  • Game attendance: 72,114
  • Referee: Brad Rogers, Walt Hill, John Langlois, Kirk Lewis, Michael Watson, Grant Jackson, Chris Jamison, Kevin Vicknair
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Clint Stoerner (color), Dawn Davenport (sideline)
  • Source[6]
Game information

vs Texas A&M

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No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks vs No. 10 Texas A&M Aggies
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 17 Razorbacks 7 10 0724
No. 10 Aggies 0 17 72145

at AT&T StadiumArlington, TX

  • Date: September 24, 2016
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: N/A (Game played indoors)
  • Game attendance: 67,751
  • Referee: James Carter, Russ Pulley, Johnny Crawford, Tim Beard, Scott Vaughn, Jim Taylor, Anthony Jeffrie, Gary Beasley
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (color), Holly Rowe (sideline)
  • Source[7]
Game information

Alcorn State

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Alcorn State Braves at No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Braves 0 7 3010
No. 20 Razorbacks 24 0 141452

at War Memorial StadiumLittle Rock, AR

  • Date: October 1, 2016
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CT
  • Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C) • Wind calm • Clear skies
  • Game attendance: 46,988
  • Referee: Matt Austin, Rodney Lawary, Tim Sistrunk, Michael Taylor, Michael Watson, Glen Fucik, Bobby Moreau, Wayne Winkler
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Mike Morgan (play-by-play), Clint Stoerner (color), Kevin Weidl (sideline)
  • Source[8]
Game information

Alabama

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No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide at No. 16 Arkansas Razorbacks
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Crimson Tide 14 21 7749
No. 16 Razorbacks 7 10 7630

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback StadiumFayetteville, AR

  • Date: October 8, 2016
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C) • Wind NNE 5 mph (8.0 km/h)mph • Clear skies
  • Game attendance: 75,459
  • Referee: Matt Loeffler, Stan Weihe, Gus Morris, Michael Shirey, Tony Josselyn, Bobby Ables, Jesse Dupuy, Chris Snead
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (color), Holly Rowe (sideline)
  • Source[9]
Game information

Ole Miss

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No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels at No. 22 Arkansas Razorbacks
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 12 Rebels 6 14 01030
No. 22 Razorbacks 14 6 7734

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback StadiumFayetteville, AR

  • Date: October 15, 2016
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C) • Wind S 14 mph (23 km/h)mph • Scattered clouds
  • Game attendance: 73,786
  • Referee: Marc Curles, Johnny Hibbett, Randall Kizer, Chris Conway, Scott Vaughn, Wes Booker, Richard Rooker, Wayne Winkler
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (color), Holly Rowe (sideline)
  • Source[10]
Game information

At Auburn

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No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 21 Auburn Tigers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 17 Razorbacks 0 3 003
No. 21 Tigers 21 7 141456

at Jordan–Hare StadiumAuburn, AL

  • Date: October 22, 2016
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C) • Wind NW 10 mph (16 km/h)mph • Sunny
  • Game attendance: 87,451
  • Referee: Ken Williamson, Wally Hough, Lane Thomas, Mickey Bryson, Grantis Bell, Greg Thomas, Rob Skelton
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (color), Holly Rowe (sideline)
  • Source[11]
Game information

Florida

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No. 14 Florida Gators at Arkansas Razorbacks
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 14 Gators 7 0 0310
Razorbacks 14 7 01031

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback StadiumFayetteville, AR

  • Date: November 5, 2016
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C) • Wind E 3 mph (4.8 km/h)mph • Scattered clouds
  • Game attendance: 74,432
  • Referee: David Smith, Tom Quick, Gus Morris, Michael Shirey, Tony Josselyn, Bobby Ables, Jesse Dupuy, Chris Snead
  • TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (color), John Schriffen (sideline)
  • Source[12]
Game information
No. 19 LSU Tigers at Arkansas Razorbacks
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 19 Tigers 7 14 71038
Razorbacks 0 7 3010

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback StadiumFayetteville, AR

  • Date: November 12, 2016
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C) • Wind calm • Clear skies
  • Game attendance: 75,156
  • Referee: John McDaid, Johnny Hibbett, Jay Vines, David Oliver, John Wright, Phil Davenport, Chris Conley, Brian Davis
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (color), Tom Luginbill (sideline)
  • Source[13]
Game information

At Mississippi State

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Arkansas Razorbacks at Mississippi State Bulldogs
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Razorbacks 14 24 61458
Bulldogs 14 0 141442

at Davis Wade StadiumStarkville, MS

  • Date: November 19, 2016
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C) • Wind NNW 5 mph (8.0 km/h)mph • Clear skies
  • Game attendance: 58,538
  • Referee: Ken Williamson, Brent Sowell, Lane Thomas, Mickey Bryson, Grantis Bell, Jeff Batts, Rob Skelton, Tra Boger
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (color), Alex Corddry (sideline)
  • Source[14]
Game information

At Missouri

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Arkansas Razorbacks at Missouri Tigers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Razorbacks 14 10 0024
Tigers 7 0 14728

at Faurot FieldColumbia, MO

  • Date: November 25, 2016
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C) • Wind NW 5 mph (8.0 km/h)mph • Overcast
  • Game attendance: 51,043
  • Referee: Brad Rogers, Johnny Hibbett, John Langlois, Kirk Lewis, Michael Watson, Grant Jackson, Chuck Russ, Kevin Vicknair
  • TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color), John Schriffen (sideline)
  • Source[15]
Game information

vs Virginia Tech (Belk Bowl)

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Arkansas Razorbacks vs No. 18 Virginia Tech Hokies (2016 Belk Bowl)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Razorbacks 17 7 0024
No. 18 Hokies 0 0 211435

at Bank of America StadiumCharlotte, NC

Game information

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRV241720162217RVRVRVRVRV
CoachesRVRV241822172217RVRVRVRVRVRV
CFPNot released25Not released

References

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  1. ^ "Best Home Schedule In Razorback History" (Press release). University of Arkansas Department of Athletics. October 29, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  2. ^ "2016 Arkansas Razorbacks Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  3. ^ "Razorbacks Football - Schedule and Results 2016". Arkansas Razorbacks. March 21, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  4. ^ "ESPN Box Score: Louisiana Tech at Arkansas".
  5. ^ "ESPN Box Score: Arkansas at TCU".
  6. ^ "ESPN Box Score: Texas State at Arkansas".
  7. ^ "ESPN Box Score: Arkansas vs Texas A&M".
  8. ^ "ESPN Box Score: Alcorn State at Arkansas".
  9. ^ "ESPN Box Score: Alabama at Arkansas".
  10. ^ "ESPN Box Score: Arkansas at Ole Miss".
  11. ^ "ESPN Box Score: Arkansas at Auburn".
  12. ^ "ESPN Box Score: Florida at Arkansas".
  13. ^ "ESPN Box Score: LSU at Arkansas".
  14. ^ "ESPN Box Score: Arkansas at Mississippi State".
  15. ^ "ESPN Box Score: Arkansas at Missouri".
  16. ^ "Arkansas vs. Virginia Tech - Game Summary - December 29, 2016 - ESPN".