Arkansas-Ole Miss rivalry

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Arkansas logo	Ole Miss logo

The Arkansas-Ole Miss rivalry is a sports rivalry between the teams of the University of Arkansas (the Razorbacks) and the University of Mississippi (the Rebels). The rivalry currently exists predominantly between the respective programs' football teams, however since both teams are in the SEC Western division, almost all men's and women's sports play each other on an annual basis. The football teams first met in 1908, and have played each other annually since 1981. Overall, Arkansas currently leads the series at 29-24-1.

[edit] History

The rivalry between Arkansas and Ole Miss developed partially due to geography. Besides being neighboring states in the southeastern United States, from the University of Arkansas' perspective, the University of Mississippi is closer in terms of distance than any other Southeastern Conference school. Arkansas has played Ole Miss more than any other SEC opponent. ^[1]

[edit] Pre 1980s

The teams were first scheduled to meet each other in 1906, but due to a cancellation, the two teams began play against one another in a 1908 contest in which Arkansas won by a score of 33-0. Arkansas and Mississippi played many times sporadically in the following years. In addition to several single years of playing each other, the two teams played each other from 1940-47 and 1952-62 on an annual basis. The Razorbacks and Rebels also met twice in the Sugar Bowl played in New Orleans, in 1963 and 1970; Both contests were won by Ole Miss. Especially in the early years, the teams often met in Memphis, Tennessee to play the game, besides the normal Arkansas and Mississippi game sites.

[edit] 1980s to present

Since 1981, the two teams have played each other annually in football. The games have generally alternated yearly between a site in Mississippi (Jackson, or more recently Oxford) and a site in Arkansas (Little Rock, or more recently Fayetteville), except for one time in 1995 when the game was played in Memphis, Tennessee. Since Arkansas joined the Southeastern Conference in 1991 (first football season was 1992; previously a member of the SWC), the two teams have played annually as both conference and Western division rivals.

[edit] Recently (2000s)

In 2001, Arkansas and Ole Miss had an NCAA record seven-overtime game in Oxford, MS. The amount of overtimes has since been tied, but has not yet been beaten. The recent history between the two schools has been dominated by Arkansas, who since 2000 have won 6 games to 2 for Ole Miss, including the last four contests.

[edit] Houston Nutt controversy

Upon the conclusion of the 2007 regular season, Arkansas Razorbacks coach Houston Nutt resigned amid several controversies and allegations that had arisen. ^{[2] [3]} Hours later, he was announced as the head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels football team^[4], replacing Ed Orgeron who had been fired after three consecutive losing seasons.

Ole Miss will play Arkansas in Fayetteville on October 25, 2008 in what will be Nutt's first return to the University of Arkansas campus as an opposing coach. The long-standing rivalry has become more interesting because of his association with both universities.

[edit] Meetings

[edit] Game Results

The results of games played between Arkansas and Ole Miss: ^{[5] [6] [7]}

Arkansas victories are shaded ██ red. Ole Miss victories shaded in ██ blue.

*Won by forfeit.
^ Played in the Sugar Bowl.

[edit] Notable Games

[edit] 1908

The very first meeting between the two teams was a 1908 contest in which Arkansas won by a score of 33-0. The teams were first scheduled to meet each other in 1906, but due to a cancellation, the 1908 contest was the first meeting.

[edit] 1914

Arkansas lists the 1914 contest as a forfeit by Ole Miss, while Ole Miss lists the contest by the recorded on the field score of 13-7 in favor of Ole Miss. ^[8][9] Therefore, the two school's official records for the overall series shows a one game difference.

[edit] 1959

The 1959 contest was won by Ole Miss 28-0 in Memphis, Tennessee on their way to a final record of 10-1 for the 1959 season and one of their three national championships.

[edit] 1960

The 1960 contest between the teams was won by Ole Miss 10-7 in Little Rock, Arkansas, on their way to a final record of 10-0-1 for the 1960 season and the second of their three national championships. This was a controversial game in the fact that the field goal that Ole Miss kicked at the end of the game was disputed. Fighting broke out all around the stadium and because of this, the annual series between the two schools was played the next year in Jackson and then was cancelled until the two teams renewed the series in 1981.

[edit] 1963

The January 1, 1963 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans was played between the two teams as a end to the 1962 regular season. Ole Miss won the game by a final score of 17-13 to finish the season 10-0 and win a share of the 1962 national championship in college football. This was their third of three national championships Ole Miss claims.

[edit] 2001

On November 3, 2001, Arkansas and Ole Miss played in an NCAA record 7-overtime game in Oxford, MS. The record has since been tied but has not yet been broken. Arkansas ended up winning with a final score of 58-56. Arkansas finished with 531 yards of offense, 370 rushing and 161 passing, while Ole Miss netted 457 yards of offense, 312 passing and 166 rushing. ^{[10] [11]}

[edit] 2004-2007

The Razorbacks have won the most recent four contests over the Rebels from 2004 through 2007.

[edit] 2008

Ole Miss will return to Arkansas for the first time with former Razorback coach, Houston Nutt.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Razorback Athletics
• Ole Miss Athletics
• University of Arkansas
• University of Mississippi

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