University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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Hog Fans RALLY in Razorback Nation RECORD NUMBERS OF HOG FANS FLOOD FAYETTEVILLE FOR SEASON OPENER BY JEFF HOBSON AND MEGAN GARNER As the adage says, revenge is a dish best served cold. And after giving up more points in any Razor- back game since the World War I era to the USC Tro¬ jans in 2005, the Razorbacks were embarrassed and looked to take retribution on the Trojans on their own home turf. The season opener was scheduled for Sept. 2, and in the weeks leading up to the game, fan frenzy was intoxicating with buildup for the grudge match be¬ tween the rebuilding Razorbacks and the reloading Trojans reaching heights not seen since the 1969 big shootout between the then number one Texas Long¬ horns and the number two Razorbacks. Ticket sales reflected the building anticipation, as Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium sold all 72,000 tickets for the game. Tickets were sold out by Aug. 25, only five days after classes started. The game marked only the third time Razorback Stadium had sold out since its expansion in 2001. Following the sellout, the university added 7,300 seats to the south end zone to accommodate the rising numbers of hog- wild fans planning to attend. In the end, the game brought together the largest congregation of Razor- backs to witness the Hogs play in Arkansas as 76,564 screaming fans filed into Razorback Stadium to make for one of the most electric atmospheres in Razorback history. Seasoned student veterans began camping out in front of the stadium ' s student entrance as early as the Tuesday before the game, in order to secure front row seats. Tents, sleeping bags and lawn chairs lined Stadium Drive as more and more students braved the elements for the chance to watch the Hogs up close. But even with record numbers of Hog fans cheer¬ ing them on, the Razorbacks were disappointed in their quest for revenge. The loss of star running back Darren McFadden, who was battling an off-the-field injury, was a crippling blow to the Hogs, as well as the numerous questions at the quarterback position. And while the Hogs didn ' t bring home the ba¬ con, that wouldn ' t stop the thousands of relentless Razorback fans from pouring into Fayetteville time and time again to call those Hogs and cheer them on to an amazing season. 22STUDENT LIFE

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According to the UAPD, it is not ad¬ vised for students to walk alone at night. However many were willing to take the risk in order to get where they needed to be. Regardless of where you were or who you were with, UAPD al¬ ways recommended walking in well-lit ar¬ eas. PHOTO BY ROBYN CLOUD A sign displayed on a campus cross¬ walk helps drivers be aware of pedestrians crossing the street. The university paid about $250 per sign to place in the middle of 21 crosswalks after several students were injured last year. PHO¬ TO BY KEVIN ESTES CAMPUS SAFETY 21

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Thousands of fans greet the USC Trojans with a rousing Hog call. The season open¬ er brought so many fans to Fayetteville that Razorback Sta¬ dium sold out by the end of the first week of school. PHOTO BY DARREN MCNEILL use GAME 23