2016 Arkansas Razorbacks football team

2016 Arkansas Razorbacks football
Arkansas Razorbacks logo
Belk Bowl, L 24–35 vs. Virginia Tech
Conference Southeastern Conference
Western Division
Record 7–6 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Dan Enos (2nd season)
Offensive scheme Pro-style
Defensive coordinator Robb Smith (3rd season)
Base defense 4–3
Home stadium Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
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

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.

Schedule

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.

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.

Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance
September 3 3:00 p.m. Louisiana Tech*
SECN W 21–20 69,132
September 10 6:00 p.m. at No. 15 TCU*
ESPN W 41–38 2OT 48,091
September 17 6:30 p.m. Texas State* No. 24
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR
 SECN W 42–3 72,114
September 24 8:00 p.m. vs. No. 10 Texas A&M No. 17
ESPN L 24–45 67,751
October 1 11:00 a.m. Alcorn State* No. 20
SECN W 52–10 46,988
October 8 6:00 p.m. No. 1 Alabama No. 16
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR
 ESPN L 30–49 75,459
October 15 6:00 p.m. No. 12 Ole Miss† No. 22
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR (rivalry)
 ESPN W 34–30 73,786
October 22 5:00 p.m. at No. 21 Auburn No. 17
ESPN L 3–56 87,451
November 5 2:30 p.m. No. 11 Florida
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR (SEC Nation)
 CBS W 31–10 74,432
November 12 6:00 p.m. No. 24 LSU No. 25
  • Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
  • Fayetteville, AR (rivalry)
 ESPN L 10–38 75,156
November 19 6:00 p.m. at Mississippi State
ESPNU W 58–42 58,538
November 25 1:30 p.m. at Missouri
CBS L 24–28 51,043
December 29 4:30 p.m. vs. No. 22 Virginia Tech*
ESPN L 24–35 46,902
Schedule Source:

Game summaries

Louisiana Tech

See also: 2016 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Arkansas Razorbacks
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Bulldogs 7 7 6 0 20
Razorbacks 7 7 0 7 21

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, 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
Game information

At TCU

See also: 2016 TCU Horned Frogs football team
Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 15 TCU Horned Frogs
Period 1 2 3 4 OT 2OT Total
Razorbacks 3 10 7 8 7 6 41
No. 15 Horned Frogs 0 0 7 21 7 3 38

at Amon G. Carter Stadium • Fort 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
Game information

Texas State

See also: 2016 Texas State Bobcats football team
Texas State Bobcats at No. 24 Arkansas Razorbacks
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Bobcats 0 0 3 0 3
No. 24 Razorbacks 14 21 7 0 42

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, 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
Game information

vs Texas A&M

See also: 2016 Texas A&M Aggies football team and Arkansas–Texas A&M football rivalry
No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks vs No. 10 Texas A&M Aggies
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 17 Razorbacks 7 10 0 7 24
No. 10 Aggies 0 17 7 21 45

at AT&T Stadium • Arlington, 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
Game information

Alcorn State

See also: 2016 Alcorn State Braves football team
Alcorn State Braves at No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Braves 0 7 3 0 10
No. 20 Razorbacks 24 0 14 14 52

at War Memorial Stadium • Little 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
Game information

Alabama

See also: 2016 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide at No. 16 Arkansas Razorbacks
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 1 Crimson Tide 14 21 7 7 49
No. 16 Razorbacks 7 10 7 6 30

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, 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
Game information

Ole Miss

See also: 2016 Ole Miss Rebels football team and Arkansas–Ole Miss football rivalry
No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels at No. 22 Arkansas Razorbacks
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 12 Rebels 6 14 0 10 30
No. 22 Razorbacks 14 6 7 7 34

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, 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
Game information

At Auburn

See also: 2016 Auburn Tigers football team
No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 21 Auburn Tigers
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 17 Razorbacks 0 3 0 0 3
No. 21 Tigers 21 7 14 14 56

at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, 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
Game information

Florida

See also: 2016 Florida Gators football team
No. 14 Florida Gators at Arkansas Razorbacks
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 14 Gators 7 0 0 3 10
Razorbacks 14 7 0 10 31

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, 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
Game information

LSU

See also: 2016 LSU Tigers football team and Arkansas–LSU football rivalry
No. 19 LSU Tigers at Arkansas Razorbacks
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 19 Tigers 7 14 7 10 38
Razorbacks 0 7 3 0 10

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, 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
Game information

At Mississippi State

See also: 2016 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team
Arkansas Razorbacks at Mississippi State Bulldogs
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Razorbacks 14 24 6 14 58
Bulldogs 14 0 14 14 42

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, 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
Game information

At Missouri

See also: 2016 Missouri Tigers football team and Battle Line Rivalry
Arkansas Razorbacks at Missouri Tigers
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Razorbacks 14 10 0 0 24
Tigers 7 0 14 7 28

at Faurot Field • Columbia, 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
Game information

vs Virginia Tech (Belk Bowl)

See also: 2016 Virginia Tech Hokies football team and 2016 Belk Bowl
Arkansas Razorbacks vs No. 18 Virginia Tech Hokies (2016 Belk Bowl)
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Razorbacks 17 7 0 0 24
No. 18 Hokies 0 0 21 14 35

at Bank of America Stadium • Charlotte, NC

Game information

Rankings

Further information: 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final
AP RV — 24 17 20 16 22 17 RV RV RV RV RV — — —
Coaches RV RV 24 18 22 17 22 17 RV RV RV RV RV — — RV
CFP Not released — — 25 — — — Not released