Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Arkansas got a taste of Sugar last season, but all that seemed to do was whet the Razorbacks’ appetite as Bobby Petrino enters his fourth season in Fayetteville.

Petrino needed just three years to get the program to a BCS bowl.

No Arkansas team had managed that since the BCS system began in 1998, and the Razorbacks were last ranked in the Top 25 from start to finish in 1989.

For a second offseason in a row, Arkansas players and coaches reveal they have set a national championship as their goal. Not only do they want to sustain last year’s success, the Razorbacks want to build on it. They believe they can do more than a 2010 season that ended with 10-3 record and a No. 12 final ranking.

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“I was taught that if you have a goal and you can’t verbalize it, then you’ll never achieve it. So we talk about it,” Petrino said. “We want to win a national championship. That’s what our goal is. That’s what drives us.”

Back are 13 offensive and defensive starters. Included are All-SEC guys like defensive end Jake Bequette, linebacker Jerry Franklin on defense and an offense that includes one of the top collections of wide receivers talent in the country.

Granted, Arkansas is without key playmakers like quarterback Ryan Mallett and tight end D.J. Williams. However, there are enough talented players returning that expectations remain high even as the team works to develop depth at linebacker and cornerback on defense, while identifying starters on the offensive line at both tackle positions.

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Even with holes to fill, nearly 75 percent of the starters and second-team players listed on the Sugar Bowl depth chart are back. Team category leaders in (but not limited to) rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries are all returning.

Having so many statistical leaders back is proof the Razorbacks aren’t most concerned with replacing raw numbers. Mallett offered more than his 7,493 yards and 62 touchdowns over two seasons. Williams meant more to the team than his 627 yards and four touchdowns.

Both Mallett and Williams, along with departed offensive lineman DeMarcus Love, served as team captains. They provided consistent motivation needed to push the team, particularly in the offseason when coaches aren’t around. That search for leadership was ongoing throughout the spring and summer.