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Keep the history alive!
For the decade between the mid '60s and '70s, the SWC opponents faced running backs wearing the cardinal and white #33 that would lead the Hogs and Southwest Conference in rushing. It seemed like deja vu each year when the other teams would have to line up and defend against the forces of Bobby Burnett, Bill Burnett, and finally Dickey Morton as they would continue to set school records while all wearing the magical #33.
Keep the history alive!
For the decade between the mid '60s and '70s, the SWC opponents faced running backs wearing the cardinal and white #33 that would lead the Hogs and Southwest Conference in rushing. It seemed like deja vu each year when the other teams would have to line up and defend against the forces of Bobby Burnett, Bill Burnett, and finally Dickey Morton as they would continue to set school records while all wearing the magical #33.
"Morton would become the Razorback's first 1,000 yard rusher"
Oct 13, 1973 Razorbacks vs. Baylor (click to enlarge) Originating out of Dallas, TX running back #33 Dickey Morton lettered at Arkansas during 1971, '72, and '73. In 1972 Morton would become the Razorback's first 1,000 yard rusher standing at only 5'-10", and weighing 160 lbs. Playing alongside quarterback Joe Ferguson, Morton would lead the team in rushing for all three years of his collegiate career.
On the night of October 13, 1973, Morton would set a school record when he rushed for 271 yards on 28 attempts while scoring both Hog touchdowns against Baylor in Waco. This record would stand for 34 years until it was finally broken by Darren McFadden on November 3, 2007, against South Carolina with a new record of 321 yards on 34 carries.
During his career, Morton captured the SWC career rushing record with 3,317 yards. He still ranks third on the Hogs' all-time list for Career Rushing Yards Gained with his career total based on 595 carries while scoring 16 touchdowns. In this category for rushing yards gained, he ranks only behind Darren McFadden and Ben Cowins. Combined with this, his career rushes of 595 carries still ranks him third in Hog history, also behind Darren McFadden and Ben Cowins.
In both his junior and senior seasons, Morton would set new single-season rushing records. His junior year would be highlighted by a then record 1,188 yards on 242 carries and six touchdowns. This propelled Morton into the spotlight as he was now also the SWC leading rusher. As a senior, he would surpass his previous record and have his best season yet when this record would again be broken by rushing for 1,298 yards on 226 carries and five touchdowns. As his career came to a close, this record would place him as still ranking sixth on the all-time list of Razorback rushing backs.
Leading up to this, Morton still ranks third in school history with his 15 career 100+ yard rushing games (only one game behind Ben Cowins who had 16).
As one of the leading running backs in Hog history, his career average of 5.57 yards per carry places him tied with Jerry Eckwood as the sixth all-time Razorback running back. He no longer holds first place in these categories, but he will always be remembered as one of the best.
Special teams also played a part in Morton's career as he averaged 26.14 yards per kickoff return ranking him as second on the school's all-time career list. His 4,070 all-purpose yards still ranks him as fourth in Hog history. With this career, he was twice selected as an All-Southwest Conference running back, and voted as a member of the Razorback All-Decade Team for the 1970s.
Following his senior year, Morton joined linebacker Danny Rhodes in 1974 to play as a member of the Hula Bowl in Honolulu.
On the night of October 13, 1973, Morton would set a school record when he rushed for 271 yards on 28 attempts while scoring both Hog touchdowns against Baylor in Waco. This record would stand for 34 years until it was finally broken by Darren McFadden on November 3, 2007, against South Carolina with a new record of 321 yards on 34 carries.
During his career, Morton captured the SWC career rushing record with 3,317 yards. He still ranks third on the Hogs' all-time list for Career Rushing Yards Gained with his career total based on 595 carries while scoring 16 touchdowns. In this category for rushing yards gained, he ranks only behind Darren McFadden and Ben Cowins. Combined with this, his career rushes of 595 carries still ranks him third in Hog history, also behind Darren McFadden and Ben Cowins.
In both his junior and senior seasons, Morton would set new single-season rushing records. His junior year would be highlighted by a then record 1,188 yards on 242 carries and six touchdowns. This propelled Morton into the spotlight as he was now also the SWC leading rusher. As a senior, he would surpass his previous record and have his best season yet when this record would again be broken by rushing for 1,298 yards on 226 carries and five touchdowns. As his career came to a close, this record would place him as still ranking sixth on the all-time list of Razorback rushing backs.
Leading up to this, Morton still ranks third in school history with his 15 career 100+ yard rushing games (only one game behind Ben Cowins who had 16).
As one of the leading running backs in Hog history, his career average of 5.57 yards per carry places him tied with Jerry Eckwood as the sixth all-time Razorback running back. He no longer holds first place in these categories, but he will always be remembered as one of the best.
Special teams also played a part in Morton's career as he averaged 26.14 yards per kickoff return ranking him as second on the school's all-time career list. His 4,070 all-purpose yards still ranks him as fourth in Hog history. With this career, he was twice selected as an All-Southwest Conference running back, and voted as a member of the Razorback All-Decade Team for the 1970s.
Following his senior year, Morton joined linebacker Danny Rhodes in 1974 to play as a member of the Hula Bowl in Honolulu.
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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 that is officially licensed by CLC (Collegiate Licensing Company) and the University of Arkansas. 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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