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Keep the history alive!
Keep the history alive!
For this hawg-tales, I am including an excerpt from the ebook "Hit That Line".
"Another great game was played at War Memorial Stadium in 2002 for “The Golden Boot” against No. 18 LSU. Since then it has been known as “the Miracle on Markham,” and has gone down in Razorback lore, as one of the greatest finishes in Hog football history. The game started out like any other football game against LSU. Arkansas was 8–3 at that point in the season. The first half ended at 10–0 with LSU leading. Both teams scored a touchdown in the third quarter which ended with LSU leading 17–7. LSU had their normally tough defense playing its game and had given quarterback Matt Jones fits throughout the game, allowing only 2 completions for 13 attempts passing.
Finally, with less than seven minutes left in the game, tailback Fred Talley broke through a seam and ran 56 yards for a touchdown bringing the Hogs to within 3 points at 17–14. Following this, LSU drove down the field culminating the drive with a field goal putting them up by 6 points at 20–14. Time was slipping away for the Hogs.
On the ensuing kickoff, Arkansas returned the ball to the Razorback 19-yard line. Once again, it would take a touchdown to win, a field goal doesn’t help. It would take a miracle. Fans had their hands clasped as if in prayer, and the miracle begins. Arkansas was 81 yards away from a win, no timeouts, and 35 seconds left on the game clock.
Once again, the Hogs called on Matt Jones’ cool demeanor to lead them to the “promised land.” Jones steps to the line and begins, his all too familiar cadence of calling the signals. The ball is snapped. The final drive begins with a 50-yard pass completion to Richard Smith who had caught the LSU prevent defense out of position. The crowd of 55,000 comes to its feet and goes into a frenzy “calling the Hogs.” Pity the fans that left early to try and beat the crowd for they would miss the last 35 seconds of what was to be the most exciting of the game and of the season. The Hogs were on the move.
"Another great game was played at War Memorial Stadium in 2002 for “The Golden Boot” against No. 18 LSU. Since then it has been known as “the Miracle on Markham,” and has gone down in Razorback lore, as one of the greatest finishes in Hog football history. The game started out like any other football game against LSU. Arkansas was 8–3 at that point in the season. The first half ended at 10–0 with LSU leading. Both teams scored a touchdown in the third quarter which ended with LSU leading 17–7. LSU had their normally tough defense playing its game and had given quarterback Matt Jones fits throughout the game, allowing only 2 completions for 13 attempts passing.
Finally, with less than seven minutes left in the game, tailback Fred Talley broke through a seam and ran 56 yards for a touchdown bringing the Hogs to within 3 points at 17–14. Following this, LSU drove down the field culminating the drive with a field goal putting them up by 6 points at 20–14. Time was slipping away for the Hogs.
On the ensuing kickoff, Arkansas returned the ball to the Razorback 19-yard line. Once again, it would take a touchdown to win, a field goal doesn’t help. It would take a miracle. Fans had their hands clasped as if in prayer, and the miracle begins. Arkansas was 81 yards away from a win, no timeouts, and 35 seconds left on the game clock.
Once again, the Hogs called on Matt Jones’ cool demeanor to lead them to the “promised land.” Jones steps to the line and begins, his all too familiar cadence of calling the signals. The ball is snapped. The final drive begins with a 50-yard pass completion to Richard Smith who had caught the LSU prevent defense out of position. The crowd of 55,000 comes to its feet and goes into a frenzy “calling the Hogs.” Pity the fans that left early to try and beat the crowd for they would miss the last 35 seconds of what was to be the most exciting of the game and of the season. The Hogs were on the move.
"Prayers are answered, miracles happen"
The next play is an incomplete pass to Carlos Ousley which stopped the game clock. This is not a bad thing, for it allows the Hogs time to regroup without burning any time off the clock. The Hogs are now on the LSU 31-yard line. Jones, who was known more for his long stride, and elusive running than for his passing ability, comes to the line to take the snap. He takes it, drops back and lets the ball fly into the Little Rock nighttime sky.
At the same moment, DeCori Birmingham, running back/flanker, was running down the right sideline toward the southwest corner of the south end zone. With two defenders sandwiching him in, it appeared that the pass would either fall incomplete to the turf or be intercepted. Either case would end the game with LSU claiming the “Golden Boot”.
Prayers are answered, miracles happen, Birmingham pulled the ball in making a courageous catch to score the final touchdown with 9 seconds left tying the game at 20 all. Pandemonium sets in. The Razorback bench empties.
Taking note of this, the officials threw the flag and instead of having to kick a normal PAT, David Carlton would now be kicking what would be equivalent to a 35-yard field goal. Reality had set in to the crowd who now realized that this was not a normal extra point. It suddenly got silent. When Carlton made contact with the ball, it barely made its way to just inside the left goal post. Arkansas 21, LSU 20.
This game had begun like any other game and ended as one for the history books. On that night, the Hog fans in the stadium or listening on radio had experienced a true “Miracle on Markham.” (By the way, Markham is the main street that runs east and west on the north side of War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.)"
At the same moment, DeCori Birmingham, running back/flanker, was running down the right sideline toward the southwest corner of the south end zone. With two defenders sandwiching him in, it appeared that the pass would either fall incomplete to the turf or be intercepted. Either case would end the game with LSU claiming the “Golden Boot”.
Prayers are answered, miracles happen, Birmingham pulled the ball in making a courageous catch to score the final touchdown with 9 seconds left tying the game at 20 all. Pandemonium sets in. The Razorback bench empties.
Taking note of this, the officials threw the flag and instead of having to kick a normal PAT, David Carlton would now be kicking what would be equivalent to a 35-yard field goal. Reality had set in to the crowd who now realized that this was not a normal extra point. It suddenly got silent. When Carlton made contact with the ball, it barely made its way to just inside the left goal post. Arkansas 21, LSU 20.
This game had begun like any other game and ended as one for the history books. On that night, the Hog fans in the stadium or listening on radio had experienced a true “Miracle on Markham.” (By the way, Markham is the main street that runs east and west on the north side of War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.)"
If you are one of those rabid Razorback fans interested in knowing even more about the history of the Hog football program, then get your very own copy of "Hit That Line" from the Apple Store, Barnes and Nobles online, or the world's largest e-book publisher - Smashwords.com. This ebook contains most of the items not covered in hawg-tales.com, and focuses totally on the coaches, players, games, "Voices of the Razorbacks", and many other topics within the total history of the program.
Join us next month, as we once again recall tales of the games, players, and coaches from the past.
Send us your name and e-mail address to receive a FREE copy of the 1960's 45-rpm records in mp3 format to play on your computer, tablet, or smart phone. They make a great gift for any Razorback football history buff. Don't forget to let us know where you are from. WPS!
