Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

This football season marks the 21st for the Razorbacks as members of the SEC. Having completed two decades in the league it seemed worth reflecting on how far the program has come. Which victories over the last 20 years were the sweetest? Were there losses that hurt more than others? What coaching decisions still have folks scratching their heads? ArkansasSports360.com assembled a panel aimed at answering these questions. We have our list and we'd love to hear yours.

No. 2 on our moments we'd love to forget...

‘Stoernover’ In Knoxville

When it happened: Nov. 14, 1998
Who we remember: Houston Nutt and Phil Fulmer, Clint Stoerner, Anthony Lucas, Todd Latourette, Chris Waite, Billy Ratliff, Travis Henry, Tee Martin, Keith Burns.
Why we’d like to forget: Fourteen years removed from a stunning collapse in Knoxville against then No. 2 Tennessee (which would go on to win the BCS national championship), what first comes to mind for most Arkansas fans is Clint Stoerner’s stumble and fumble that gave the Volunteers a last chance to pull out a game that, for most of the day, seemed Arkansas’ to lose.

There were other plays just as crushing to Arkansas’ chances in that fourth quarter, after the Hogs, entering the game 8-0 and No. 9 in the country, had led 21-3 in the second quarter. With Arkansas up 24-20, Todd Latourette had a field goal blocked. Still clinging to that four-point lead, the Hogs saw a punt center snap sail over Chris Akin’s head, though the punter smartly kicked the ball out of the end zone for a safety.

With the Hogs now up 24-22, Keith Burns’ “Code Red” defense stopped the Vols on the ensuing possession. All the Hogs had to do was run out the last two minutes.

On third down from the UA 47-yard line, Houston Nutt called for Stoerner to roll left on a bootleg, hoping to catch the Vols expecting a basic dive play. But Tennessee tackle Billy Ratliff bull-rushed UA guard Brandon Burlsworth, causing him to step on Stoerner’s foot as he rolled out. Stoerner used the ball to break his fall, lost control of it, and Ratliff recovered.

Tennessee covered the 43 yards after the recovery in five plays behind running back Travis Henry for the 28-24 win.

Coincidentally, in running out the final minute of its national title win over Florida State two months later, Tennessee had QB Tee Martin successfully roll out left on a bootleg keeper, the same play that broke Arkansas’ heart.

And Stoerner would get his revenge over UT the next year, coincidentally by the same 28-24 score.

Up Next: Rough start...