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During the seasons between 1975 and 1978, the Hogs had one of their most famous place kickers. Although he is by no means alone as a great Razorback kicker, he happened to be on campus during a period when Arkansas was a top notch program and when kicking in the SWC had taken the nation to a fever pitch.
Steve Little from Shawnee Mission High School in Overland Park, Kansas had been recruited by Broyles as a quarterback to replace a graduating Joe Ferguson (who was a great in his own right). This, however, would not be the case as Broyles soon recognized Little's exceptional kicking ability placing Little as punter and place kicker with Ron Calcagni at quarterback.
There have only been two football numbers retired during the history of the program. The initial number was #12 first worn by Clyde "Smackover" Scott, and #77 worn by Brandon Burlsworth. The #12 jersey, however, was re-activated for Steve Little and as a result these are the only players to have ever worn these numbers since their retirement.
During Little's career, you would find the nation captivated by the kicking of Tony Franklin of Texas A&M, Russell Erxleben in Austin at Texas, and the Hogs' Steve Little. Peak interest nationwide was displayed in the competition between these three throughout their careers (all at SWC schools). Game results would often be followed to see how these three were performing each week.
In 1977, Little tied the NCAA record with a 67-yard field goal in a game against rival Texas. Not to be outdone, Erxleben later that year would tie the same record in Texas’ game against Rice. That record still stands.
During the 1978 Orange Bowl, "Steve Little was nailing field goals from long distance in the warmups. He started kicking 25 yard field goals on the right hash mark. All five cleared the net and went into the crowd. He backed up and kicked all five 35 yarders over the net. He kicked 2 of the 5 - 45 yarders over the net. He made all five from 55 yards and all five from 65 yards with room to spare. He moved to the left hash mark and made 4 of 5 from 65 and then didn't miss as he moved back in. The OU players were standing around and gawking." - recalled by Bill Barger (Hog fan at the game).
Little was a two-time consensus All-American in 1976 and 1977 and is a member of the Arkansas All-Century Team. Recruited as a quarterback, he has become a true legend in Razorback football tradition not at the helm as a quarterback, but as a kicker.
Steve Little from Shawnee Mission High School in Overland Park, Kansas had been recruited by Broyles as a quarterback to replace a graduating Joe Ferguson (who was a great in his own right). This, however, would not be the case as Broyles soon recognized Little's exceptional kicking ability placing Little as punter and place kicker with Ron Calcagni at quarterback.
There have only been two football numbers retired during the history of the program. The initial number was #12 first worn by Clyde "Smackover" Scott, and #77 worn by Brandon Burlsworth. The #12 jersey, however, was re-activated for Steve Little and as a result these are the only players to have ever worn these numbers since their retirement.
During Little's career, you would find the nation captivated by the kicking of Tony Franklin of Texas A&M, Russell Erxleben in Austin at Texas, and the Hogs' Steve Little. Peak interest nationwide was displayed in the competition between these three throughout their careers (all at SWC schools). Game results would often be followed to see how these three were performing each week.
In 1977, Little tied the NCAA record with a 67-yard field goal in a game against rival Texas. Not to be outdone, Erxleben later that year would tie the same record in Texas’ game against Rice. That record still stands.
During the 1978 Orange Bowl, "Steve Little was nailing field goals from long distance in the warmups. He started kicking 25 yard field goals on the right hash mark. All five cleared the net and went into the crowd. He backed up and kicked all five 35 yarders over the net. He kicked 2 of the 5 - 45 yarders over the net. He made all five from 55 yards and all five from 65 yards with room to spare. He moved to the left hash mark and made 4 of 5 from 65 and then didn't miss as he moved back in. The OU players were standing around and gawking." - recalled by Bill Barger (Hog fan at the game).
Little was a two-time consensus All-American in 1976 and 1977 and is a member of the Arkansas All-Century Team. Recruited as a quarterback, he has become a true legend in Razorback football tradition not at the helm as a quarterback, but as a kicker.
"... (made) all five from 65 yards with room to spare. He moved to the left hash mark and made 4 of 5 from 65 and then didn't miss as he moved back in"
Little holds the school record for field goal attempts at 89 where he also is ranked in the top group for most FG made at 53. Of these field goals, he made seven of 13 that were 50 yards or longer. His longest two were at 67 and 61 yards. These still stand as the two longest in Razorback history.
He kicked extra points at a 91% rate where he made 121 of 133. As a punter, Little punted for an average of 44.4 yards in 1976, and 44.3 yards in 1977.
Although kickoffs are now from the 30 yard line, it was set at the 35 yard line when Little was kicking. Known for normally kicking off through the goal posts, his record for touchbacks kicked past the end zone was 80%. The extra five yards would generally have not made any difference in his kicking.
He kicked extra points at a 91% rate where he made 121 of 133. As a punter, Little punted for an average of 44.4 yards in 1976, and 44.3 yards in 1977.
Although kickoffs are now from the 30 yard line, it was set at the 35 yard line when Little was kicking. Known for normally kicking off through the goal posts, his record for touchbacks kicked past the end zone was 80%. The extra five yards would generally have not made any difference in his kicking.
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.
Join us next month, as we once again recall tales of the games, players, and coaches from the past.
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