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Keep the history alive!
Keep the history alive!
The year was 1962, Ken and his brother Dick Hatfield would be making their first season as varsity players for the Hogs. Both, along with quarterback prospect Bill Gray, had come from the eastern delta city of Helena to become players that would prove to have an impact for the Razorbacks. In 1962, the team would be led at the helm by All-American quarterback Billy Moore. Under his leadership, he would guide them to a 9-2 season under head coach Frank Broyles. Losses came to #1 Texas (played in Austin) in the last 36 seconds (7-3) and SEC Champion Mississippi in the Sugar Bowl (17-13) with an injured Billy Moore.
During his sophomore year, Ken Hatfield would play halfback behind the outstanding George Rae Walker (wingback), Danny Brabham (fullback), Jesse Branch (tailback), and Moore. The '62 season had been a very good season, but not to win against Texas had left Arkansans feeling disappointed. Fans may not know why, but it's bred into them that ever since that first loss to Texas in 1894 (54-0), the feeling runs deep where the two favorite teams for Hog fans are: the Razorbacks and whoever is playing Texas.
1963 brought on a year where Broyles was not able to settle on a #1 quarterback and led to a 5-5 season. Out of this season came a recommitment by the '64 team that this would not be a repeat of the '63 season. In 1964, January found the Hogs not participating in a bowl game. This was the first time in five years that they had not made the trip and it weighted heavily on the team.
During his sophomore year, Ken Hatfield would play halfback behind the outstanding George Rae Walker (wingback), Danny Brabham (fullback), Jesse Branch (tailback), and Moore. The '62 season had been a very good season, but not to win against Texas had left Arkansans feeling disappointed. Fans may not know why, but it's bred into them that ever since that first loss to Texas in 1894 (54-0), the feeling runs deep where the two favorite teams for Hog fans are: the Razorbacks and whoever is playing Texas.
1963 brought on a year where Broyles was not able to settle on a #1 quarterback and led to a 5-5 season. Out of this season came a recommitment by the '64 team that this would not be a repeat of the '63 season. In 1964, January found the Hogs not participating in a bowl game. This was the first time in five years that they had not made the trip and it weighted heavily on the team.
#46 Ken Hatfield. Click to enlarge By 1964, Hatfield was a senior and had been moved to defensive safety where he would lead the nation in punt returns. When the Texas game finally came around, both teams were 5-0 and the Longhorns were once again in the #1 spot. The showdown was scheduled once more time to be played in Austin.
With the game now underway, it soon turned into a punting battle between Texas' Ernie Koy and the Hog's Bobby Nix. Midway through the second quarter Koy got off a 47 yard punt that was brought in by Hatfield at the 19. The few Hog fans that were there, were now in hog heaven in Austin. It was a play that has become famous as Ken Hatfield followed his blockers and found his way to the alley along the sideline to scamper 81 yards for the TD. Arkansas was now ahead 7-0. But, Texas would not quit fighting and with 12:05 showing on the clock during the final quarter, wingback Phil Harris ran the final two yards for the Longhorn touchdown. The game was now knotted at 7-7 all.
The Razorbacks would make their march and Arkansas would now score once more as Marshall found Bobby Crockett at the five on a 34 yard touchdown pass. Arkansas 14, Texas 7. A field goal would not help, it would take crossing the goal line to win. Unstoppable, Texas would drive back in desperation with Koy who would score making it 14-13. Darrell Royal was not about to let the #1 team in the nation play to a tie. Gambling he would now substitute. Gambling runs deep in the West. So out came Koy and in went Hix Green who was a key pass receiver. Going for two instead of the tie, the ball is snapped. Marv Kristynik (the Texas quarterback) faked and drops back. Defensive end Jim Finch was now bearing down on the QB forcing him to throw prematurely to Green at the goal line. The ball dropped harmlessly to the turf. Revenge had finally been obtained for 1962, as the Hogs would now go on to win in Austin 14-13 and complete the season as the undefeated national champions. Hatfield's punt return in the second quarter had set the tone for the win that was to come.
After the game, Royal commented on Hatfield's punt return by saying "That's their game, and he's the one. He's done that for them for three years now."
With the game now underway, it soon turned into a punting battle between Texas' Ernie Koy and the Hog's Bobby Nix. Midway through the second quarter Koy got off a 47 yard punt that was brought in by Hatfield at the 19. The few Hog fans that were there, were now in hog heaven in Austin. It was a play that has become famous as Ken Hatfield followed his blockers and found his way to the alley along the sideline to scamper 81 yards for the TD. Arkansas was now ahead 7-0. But, Texas would not quit fighting and with 12:05 showing on the clock during the final quarter, wingback Phil Harris ran the final two yards for the Longhorn touchdown. The game was now knotted at 7-7 all.
The Razorbacks would make their march and Arkansas would now score once more as Marshall found Bobby Crockett at the five on a 34 yard touchdown pass. Arkansas 14, Texas 7. A field goal would not help, it would take crossing the goal line to win. Unstoppable, Texas would drive back in desperation with Koy who would score making it 14-13. Darrell Royal was not about to let the #1 team in the nation play to a tie. Gambling he would now substitute. Gambling runs deep in the West. So out came Koy and in went Hix Green who was a key pass receiver. Going for two instead of the tie, the ball is snapped. Marv Kristynik (the Texas quarterback) faked and drops back. Defensive end Jim Finch was now bearing down on the QB forcing him to throw prematurely to Green at the goal line. The ball dropped harmlessly to the turf. Revenge had finally been obtained for 1962, as the Hogs would now go on to win in Austin 14-13 and complete the season as the undefeated national champions. Hatfield's punt return in the second quarter had set the tone for the win that was to come.
After the game, Royal commented on Hatfield's punt return by saying "That's their game, and he's the one. He's done that for them for three years now."
"Hatfield held a 47-year old punt return record of 95 yards for a touchdown in a 56-7 romp over Tulsa set on October 28, 1963."
Prior to the Mississippi game on October 23, 2010, Hatfield held a 47-year old punt return record of 95 yards for a touchdown in a 56-7 romp over Tulsa set on October 28, 1963. This record was broken when Joe Adams made his 97 yard return for touchdown against Ole Miss.
During his career from 1962-64, Hatfield averaged 16.01 yards per punt return (in 1964 his average was 16.71 yards per return). In a game against Rice in 1964, Hatfield set the school record of most punt returns in a game at 9, and had the season and career most punt return yardage record at 518 and 1153, respectively.
During his career from 1962-64, Hatfield averaged 16.01 yards per punt return (in 1964 his average was 16.71 yards per return). In a game against Rice in 1964, Hatfield set the school record of most punt returns in a game at 9, and had the season and career most punt return yardage record at 518 and 1153, respectively.
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Keep the history of Hog football alive, don't let it disappear. The new e-book available describes the history of the Razorback football program. It tells of the coaches, legends, "Voices of the Razorbacks", traditions, and of course, the memorable games (most of which have not been previously discussed on hawg-tales.com). This is the first e-book telling about the complete Razorback football program. The e-book is now available through Smashwords.com (click to visit the world's largest distributor of e-books), the Apple iStore, Barnes and Nobles (barnesandnoble.com), Kobo, etc. and is available for virtually all e-readers, smart phones, tablets, and computers. Look for 'Hit That Line!' ."
Join us next month, as we once again recall tales of the games, players, and coaches from the past. Also, be sure and take a look at the FREE sample of the new e-book "HIT THAT LINE!" (click here) about the total history of the Razorback football program.
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