The 2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Razorbacks played six home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and two home games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Running back Darren McFadden entered his name into the 2008 NFL Draft after the 2007 season. He left Arkansas holding most of the school's rushing records, to include rushing yards in a single game (321), a season (1,830), and a career (4,590). The single game total is also an SEC record. McFadden became only the second player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, along with former Hog Ben Cowins. McFadden also became the second player in SEC history with three straight 1,000 yard seasons, alongside Herschel Walker.
Pre-season
Ranking
The 2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team was selected in the top 25 in several pre-season polls.
Pre-season coaching changes
Due to plans for David Lee to be hired as its co-offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn departed to Tulsa. Malzahn's departure led to Lee being named the sole offensive coordinator. Louis Campbell was previously the secondary coach, but was moved off the field after being named assistant athletic director for administrative services. Alex Wood was previously the quarterbacks coach but was moved to wide receivers coach. Chris Vaughn was named the safeties coach and will continue his role as the director of on-campus recruiting. Due to Danny Nutt's resignation as the running backs coach because of a recurrence of bleeding from his brain stem, the University of Arkansas has hired Tim Horton as its running backs coach.
Pre-season award watches
Jr. C Jonathan Luigs
Rotary Lombardi Award
Outland Trophy
Jr. RB Darren McFadden
Heisman Memorial Trophy Award
Maxwell Award
Doak Walker Award
Walter Camp Award
Jr. RB Felix Jones
Maxwell Award
Doak Walker Award
Sr. WR Marcus Monk
Maxwell Award
Jr. P Jeremy Davis
Ray Guy Award
Pre-season All-SEC Team
First Team
C Jonathan Luigs
RB Darren McFadden
RB/RS Felix Jones
WR Marcus Monk
Season
Schedule
Post-season coaching changes
Head coach Houston Nutt resigned from his position on November 26, 2007. With Nutt's resignation, the Razorbacks' defensive coordinator Reggie Herring was named the interim head coach for the Razorbacks' bowl game. Due to Herring becoming the interim head coach, Louis Campbell coordinated the defense and Pierre Brown coached the linebackers in the Razorbacks' bowl game. On December 11, 2007, former Louisville Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Petrino was introduced as the new coach. However, Petrino handled recruiting for the Razorbacks for the 2008 season and did not coach the bowl game. Chris Vaughn resigned from his position to head to Ole Miss. Because of this, Louis Campbell also coached the safeties in their bowl game.
Awards
Jr. C Jonathan Luigs
Dave Rimington Trophy Winner
Jr. RB Darren McFadden
Doak Walker Award Winner
Walter Camp Award Winner
Heisman Memorial Trophy Award Runner-Up
Maxwell Award Finalist
Jr. RB Felix Jones
Doak Walker Award Semifinalist
Sr. FB Farod Jackson
Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy Semifinalist
All-SEC Team
First Team
C Jonathan Luigs
OL Robert Felton
RB Darren McFadden
Kick Return Felix Jones
Second Team
OL Nate Garner
OL Mitch Petrus
DT Marcus Harrison
S Matt Hewitt
DB Michael Grant
RB Felix Jones
Freshman Team
TE D.J. Williams
DL Damario Ambrose
LB Freddy Burton
PK Alex Tejada
Cotton Bowl Classic
On December 2, 2007, the Arkansas Razorbacks accepted the invitation to play in the Cotton Bowl Classic against the Missouri Tigers. Arkansas lost to Missouri, 38–7, and their all-time record in the Cotton Bowl Classic fell to 3–7–1.
Game summaries
Troy
Last meeting: November 2, 2002, W 23–0
Alabama
Last Meeting: September 23, 2006, W 24–23 (2OT)
Alabama built an early 21-point lead but had to mount a come-from-behind drive in the final two minutes of the game in order to capture a 41–38 victory.
Kentucky
Last Meeting: November 1, 2003, W 71–63 (7 OT)