Arkansas–Texas A&M football rivalry

The Arkansas–Texas A&M football rivalry, also known as the Southwest Classic, is an American college football rivalry between the Arkansas Razorbacks football team of the University of Arkansas and the Texas A&M Aggies football team of Texas A&M University. The football rivalry dates back to 1903.

Series history

Arkansas and A&M first played each other in 1903. From 1934 until 1991, the two teams played annually as Southwest Conference members, but ceased in 1991 when Arkansas left the conference to join the Southeastern Conference. Arkansas leads all-time 41–24–3.

Rivalry renewal in Dallas-Fort Worth area

On March 10, 2008, officials from both schools announced the revival of the series would recommence on October 3, 2009. The annual location for the game was announced as Cowboys Stadium, located in Arlington. The attendance for the stadium was initially expected to be in the 80,000 range. Depending on ticket demand, temporary seating can be added to the stadium to increase the capacity up to 100,000 seats for the game. The tickets were said to be split 50/50 between the two schools. The initial agreement between the two schools allowed the game to be played for at least 10 years, followed by 5 consecutive, 4-year rollover options, allowing the game to potentially be played for a total of 30 consecutive seasons. The rivalry will continue for every year as Texas A&M joins the Southeastern Conference beginning July 2012.^[1][2][3]

Game results

The results of games played between Arkansas and Texas A&M:^[4][5][6]

Arkansas victories are shaded ██ light red. Texas A&M victories are shaded ██ light maroon. Ties are white.

Notable games

1903

Texas A&M 6 - Arkansas 0

In the first ever meeting between the two schools in football, and only the 43rd game ever played by Arkansas^[7] and the 42nd ever played by Texas A&M,^[8] the Aggies defeated the Razorbacks 6-0. The Aggies were coached by J. E. Platt and the Razorbacks were coached (in his only season as a head coach) by D. A. McDaniel.

1939 - Texas A&M's National Championship year

Texas A&M 27 - Arkansas 0

In 1939, after winning the game 27-0, the Texas A&M Aggies went on to an overall record of 11-0 and named the college football national champions in the Associated Press writers' poll for the 1939 college football season

1964 - Arkansas' National Championship year

Arkansas 17 - Texas A&M 0

In 1964, after winning the game, 17-0 in College Station, Texas, The Razorbacks went on to an overall record of 11-0 and won the college football national championship by beating Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl Classic. The Aggies were coached (in his final season) by Hank Foldberg, and Arkansas was coached by legendary (Hall of Fame) coach Frank Broyles.

1980

Arkansas 27 - Texas A&M 24

The 1980 contest which was won by Arkansas 27-24 was Texas A&M's 800th game ever played by the organization.^[9] Arkansas was led by head coach Lou Holtz in his fourth year with the team, and went on to an overall record of 7-5 (3-5 in conference) for the season. The Aggies were led by Tom Wilson in his next to last season with the team, and finished the year 4-7 (3-5 in conference).

1991 - Arkansas' last game in the Southwest Conference

Texas A&M 13 - Arkansas 3

In the last meeting by the two teams in the Southwest conference, on November 16, 1991 at Kyle Field, Texas A&M won 13-3 in a game nationally televised by ESPN. The Razorbacks came out in the wishbone formation on offense, but the Aggie defense held the Hogs to only 121 yards of total offense.^[10] After the season, the Razorbacks went on to leave the Southwest Conference, and join the Southeastern Conference, thereby severing the yearly in-conference game with the Aggies.

Logo used for the 2009 renewal of the series, titled the "Southwest Classic", between Arkansas and Texas A&M.

2009 - Rivalry Renewal

Arkansas 47 - Texas A&M 19

On October 3, 2009, the two teams met for the first time since 1991, with Arkansas winning 47-19. The rivalry renewal was titled "Southwest Classic" and was originally slated to take place on a yearly basis at the city of Arlington's new Cowboys Stadium located in Arlington, Texas. Arkansas came back from a 10-0 deficit in the first quarter to win the game over the Aggies 47-19 in the first "Southwest Classic" game.

2011 - Welcome to the SEC

Arkansas 42 - Texas A&M 38

On October 1, 2011, the Texas A&M Aggies lost to Arkansas. The Aggies, leading by 18 at the half 35 - 17, blew their 18 point lead and was only able to score 3 points in the second half. As Broderick Green charged into the end zone on the final score of the game, Arkansas fans appeared on the Cowboys Stadium jumbotron holding the sign "Welcome to the SEC" (in recognition of A&M's announcement only six days previously that it would join the Southeastern Conference in 2012).

References