
Keep the history alive!
Jack Robbins hailed from Little Rock and played both halfback and quarterback for the Tommy Thomsen led Hogs during the1935-1937 seasons. In 1936, Robbins was selected by the All America Board of Football as the first Razorback quarterback All-American. In 1936, Robbins was only the second Razorback to be awarded All-American status following Wear Schoonover in 1929 (who was the first All-American in the SWC). During the 1936 season. Robbins was also selected as a first-team All-Southwest Conference team member. As a player, he produced 3,253 total offensive yards during his career. His career also produced 198 of 386 passes for 2,553 yards with 19 being touchdowns and 32 interceptions.
1936 also meant that the Hogs would be led by Robbins to a 7-3 finish, a SWC title, and a final ranking of #18 in the nation. With Robbins at the helm, the Hogs became known as the Passing Porkers, the passingest team in the nation. During the 1936 season, Robbins split quarterback duties with Dwight "Paddlefoot" Sloan. Robbins would be used for short passes on dry days, and Sloan for the bomb on wet ones. With All-American end Jim Benton and aided by receiver Ray Hamilton, both Robbins and Sloan were able to pick opponents apart showing their passing skills. Thomsen (known for his passing plays) also utilized Robbins' catching talent as a receiver out of the backfield, although it was his quarterback abilities that won him his All-American status.
In 1974, he was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.
Twenty six years later, another signal caller from Little Rock would emerge as the only other Hog to become a quarterback All-American. Out of Little Rock Central High School, Billy Moore would receive his selection as a first team All-American status from the Football Writers Association of America in 1962. During this year, he led the Razorbacks in both running and passing.
Maybe his rushing ability had come from his older brother Henry who had been a fullback on the SWC winning 1954 Hog team while leading the Hogs in rushing. Regardless, the younger Moore would rack up 585 yards on 131 rushes, and 51 of 91 completions for 673 yards through the air giving him 1,258 total yards and 19 touchdowns in 1962.
1962 saw the Hogs end up as #2 in the SWC with a final record of 9-2 (losing only to #1 Texas in Austin during the regular season 7-3, and #3 Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl 17-13). The Razorbacks would end their season nationally at #6 in both the AP and UPI. The loss to Texas came after a four yard touchdown run with 36 seconds left in the game. A win would have put the Hogs in the Cotton Bowl and another SWC title. Oh well!
During his three year varsity career, Moore had 25 wins against 8 losses. In 1997, he was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the All-Century Team, and the Arkansas All-Decade Team for 1960-1969. Among other things, Moore won both the Houston Post, and Crip Hall Awards for his football skills.