The football Hogs had just completed an 11-2 season that ended jubilantly with a 26-13 victory over Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl and a No. 6 finish in the final Bowl Championship Series rankings.

A host of standout players will be back for the 2012 season, including Heisman Trophy candidate Tyler Wilson at quarterback. The already potent offense also will regain the swift legs of talented running back Knile Davis, who had missed the 2011 season with a broken ankle.

The phrase “national championship” had even slipped from the lips of more than a few folks, including former coach Bobby Petrino.

Petrino was fired with cause on April 11, following an investigation that revealed a breach of integrity that was written into his contract. The announcement by UA Athletic Director Jeff Long set off a firestorm among fans and nearly two weeks of frenetic speculation over who would replace him. It ended April 23 with former Petrino assistant John L. Smith agreeing to a one-year contract.

Such offseason theatrics aren’t what any team wants, but faithful fans — and Smith — note that the only departure has been Petrino.

“While at Arkansas, we worked to make the Razorbacks a top-five team and much of the credit for that goes to the student-athletes,” Smith said. Smith, 63,  left the University of Arkansas in December for Weber State after three years on Petrino’s staff, but opted to return before coaching a single game at his alma mater.

The question weighing heaviest on the minds of the Razorback faithful is how much Petrino’s play-calling ability will be missed. The hope is that the “softer” early part of the schedule will allow Smith and Paul Petrino — the brother of the former head coach remains the offensive coordinator — to work out kinks.

Arkansas opens Sept. 1 with Jacksonville State at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, then meets Louisiana-Monroe a week later at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, considered the Hogs’ second home.
Any chance of a national title for Arkansas hinges on its success within the brutal West division of the Southeastern Conference, and the third date of the season on Sept. 21 is at home with defending national champion Alabama.  Alabama made it six national titles in a row for the SEC in January with a 21-0 victory over fellow SEC West member LSU.

A Nov. 23 clash with LSU will end the regular season for the UA and may be pivotal for national title plans if  the Hogs can beat Alabama for the first time since 2006 and avoid any stumbles over their next eight outings.
Ticket information for all UA sporting events is available by calling (800) 982-4647 or online at arkansasrazorbacks.com.

Razorback Basketball

Longtime former assistant coach Mike Anderson returned to Arkansas as head basketball coach last year with one promise — to make things exciting. He and the Hogs certainly delivered.

The Razorbacks won all of their 12 nonconference home games, besting those opponents by an average of 18 points. They won a school-record 17 home games, but were able to win just one road game all season, finishing 18-14 overall and 6-10 in SEC play.

The season ended in the first round of the conference tournament, when the Hogs were bounced 70-54 by LSU.
The Razorbacks stand to improve in 2012-13 with a year under Anderson behind them and the roster mostly intact. Sophomore guard B.J. Young is considered among the most talented players in the SEC, and Arkansas hopes to improve its inside strength with the return of senior forward Marshawn Powell. Powell was a preseason all-SEC pick last year before suffering a season-ending knee injury in practice before the third game.

Home games are played at Bud Walton Arena on the UA campus in Fayetteville. The 2012-13 schedule is not yet set, but will appear in Northwest Arkansas Newspapers as soon as it is finalized, and also online at nwaonline.com and wholehogsports.com.
Razorback Baseball

Although a national crown is not yet in the trophy case, the baseball Razorbacks continue to provide reasons to save room for one.

Arkansas played deep into the 2012 season, reaching the semifinals of the College World Series in Omaha before bowing out to two-time defending champion South Carolina, which was edged by Arizona for the crown.
Ace pitcher D.J. Baxendale has departed for a pro career along with third baseman Matt Reynolds. Two other starting infielders, Tim Carver and Bo Bigham, graduated. But coach Dave Van Horn’s roster remains loaded with talented young players who promise to keep the winning tradition alive.

UA boasts a national gem in Baum Stadium, which seats more than 10,700 fans and consistently attracts clamorous crowds while providing a comfortable atmosphere for fans.

College baseball season generally begins in mid-February, with the SEC Tournament following the regular season in May. NCAA postseason play is held in June.

Other UA Sports

Other varsity UA sports include track and field and cross-country, in which the Razorbacks have won an unprecedented 40 NCAA national championships, including 12 straight NCAA indoor titles from 1984 to 1995.
That success played a role in the construction of top-shelf facilities, including the Randal Tyson Track Center for indoor competition and John McDonnell Field, named for the Hogs’ legendary former head coach.

UA also fields teams in women’s basketball, golf (men and women), gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis (men and women) and volleyball.

More information is available online at arkansasrazorbacks.com or wholehogsports.com.

For more than 100 years, University of Arkansas fans have held lofty expectations for their beloved Hogs. And one would be hard- pressed to identify a time when excitement was higher than now. Most preseason polls put the Razorbacks within the nation’s top 20, and some prognosticators believe they might con- tend for the national championship.

“It’s fun for our players to start the season off again this year ranked in the top 20. We take pride in that,” fourth-year head coach Bobby Petrino told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for a recent article. “But I still think it’s a situation where talk is cheap. We have to show it. We have to establish that we’re going to be there year-in and year-out.”

After struggling to a 5-7 record in Petrino’s debut season, UA improved to 8-5 in 2009, clos- ing with a 20-17 victory over East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl.

AP/File Photo • Arkansas wide receiver Jarius wright hauls in a touchdown pass in front of ohio state defender devon torrence during the sugar bowl last Jan. 4 in new orleans. the buckeyes defeated the razorbacks, 31- 26, but later vacated all victories during the 2011 season because of NCAA rules infractions.

The Hogs were even better in 2010, finishing the regular season 10-2 and earning a Bowl Championship Series bid. Despite a 31-26 loss to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl last Jan. 4, the 10-3 effort earned UA the No. 12 spot in the final AP Top 25 poll.

“I felt like we were really close last year,” said Petrino, who resigned as head coach of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons to take the Arkansas job. “And that motivates me to work harder and get there, and before it’s over with I want to have a national championship. That’s something that really motivates me.”

Certainly, no issue looms larger in the coming season than how effective redshirt junior Tyler Wilson will be in replacing NFL-departed star quarterback Ryan Mallett. But Wilson has indicated the past two springs and in occasional game appearances that he is more than capa- ble of directing Petrino’s wide-open offense.

Wilson’s offensive supporting cast includes one of the nation’s speediest and most talented receiving corps, an all-Southeastern Confer- ence performer in running back Knile Davis and an experienced tight end in Chris Gragg. Graduation left holes in the offensive line, but size and talent is abundant among the candidates.

Meanwhile, with seven starters back, the senior-laden defense appears rock solid. De- fensive end Jake Bequette and safety Tramain Thomas both earned All-SEC honors last season and return as seniors.

UA home games are played at two locations. Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fay- etteville is the Hogs’ on-campus home. It seats about 72,000 and underwent major renovations in 2000-01. The Razorbacks will open there Sept. 3 against Mis- souri State.

The Razorbacks’ “other home” is 54,000-seat War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, site of two games each year. For 2011, Little Rock games are New Mexico on Sept. 10 and Mississippi State on Nov. 19.

Ticket information for all UA sporting events is available by call- ing (800) 982-4647 or online at arkansasrazorbacks.com.

New Arkansas Razorback head basketball coach, Mike Anderson

Razorback Basketball
The basketball Razorbacks will have a fresh look this season, but one that will have a familiar ring for longtime fans.

Seeking an answer to more than a decade of mediocrity that has seen the Hogs advance no fur- ther than the second round of the NCAA tournament, UA officials lured Mike Anderson away from Missouri to become head coach.

Anderson, 51, was an assistant throughout Nolan Richardson’s 17 years (1985-2002) as UA head coach, during which the Razor- backs made three Final Four appearances, including winning the national championship in 1994 and finishing second in ’95.

Anderson is a firm believer in his mentor’s up-tempo style of basketball, so UA fans can expect plenty of action when the Hogs take the floor in late fall.

“When people come into this building, I want it to be two hours that’s sheer entertainment,” Anderson told the Democrat-Gazette shortly after his hiring. “If you leave from your seat to go to the restroom, you’re going to miss out on something. That’s the kind of atmosphere we want here.” Home games are played at BudWalton Arena on the UA campus in Fayetteville. The 2011-12 schedule is not yet set but will appear in Northwest Arkansas Newspapers as soon as it is finalized, and also online at nwaonline.com and wholehogsports.com.

Razorback Baseball

Tent Daniel in the 4th inning against the Arizona State University Sun Devils, during the 2011 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament

With one of the finest stadiums in the nation and a consistently competitive team, baseball is far more than a spring pastime for the Razorbacks and their fans.

The 2011 team finished 40-22 overall and 15-15 in SEC play, advancing to NCAA Regional competition at Tempe, Ariz., before eventually bowing out to Arizona State.

Roughly, the baseball season runs mid-February through the end of May, when the SEC Tour- nament is held. NCAA post-sea- son play is held in June.

UA home games are played at the plush Baum Stadium, with its 10,737 seats (8,237 chairbacks) and other amenities that are second to none.

Other UA Sports
Other varsity UA sports in- clude track and field and cross- country, in which the Razorbacks have won an unprecedented 40 NCAA national championships, including 12 straight NCAA indoor titles from 1984 to 1995.

That success played a role in the construction of top-shelf facilities including the Randal Tyson Track Center for indoor competition and John McDon- nell Field, named for the Hogs’ legendary former head coach.

Additionally, UA fields teams in women’s basketball, golf (men and women), gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis (men and women) and volleyball.

More information is available online at arkansasrazorbacks.com or wholehogsports.com.

Out in nature
The Buffalo National River is located about 100 miles east of Fayetteville and offers some of Arkansas’ most striking natural scenery.

Suited for all levels of canoeing, the 135-mile river has both whitewater stretches and long, lazy pools. Several businesses rent canoes and rafts and will shuttle paddlers between put-in and take-out sites.

More information is available online at nps.gov/buff or by calling the Buffalo National River park office at (870) 365-2700.

SPRINGFIELD, MO

The wild side
Springfield, MO. Located 105 miles from Lowell, Springfield is close enough to be a day trip, but has enough to keep a family busy for days.

Guests can visit 450 animals from 160 different species at Dickerson Park Zoo, where five themed, educational exhibits highlight birds and Missouri wildlife habitats. dickersonparkzoo.org or (417) 864-1800

Hands-On fun
The Discovery Center is a hands-on museum in downtown Springfield featuring three floors of exhibits that are interactive and educational. Includes exhibits for preschoolers and older children and adults. discoverycenter.org or (417) 862-9910

TULSA, OK

Sky’s the limit
Tulsa, OK, just a two-hour drive from North- west Arkansas, Tulsa offers world-famous museums, a nationally known zoo, a water park and more.

Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium re- cently received an upgrade to its plane- tarium dome, increasing projection to more than 3 million pixels. The dome shape of the theater helps create a realistic appearance of the night sky, now with increased clarity. tulsaairandspacemuseum.org or (918) 834-9900

One big museum
Dedicated to preserving American art, the Gilcrease Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of artifacts and art from the American West and also features a huge collection of American Indian relics. Surrounded by 460 acres, the museum’s 23 themed gardens are a must-see. gilcrease.utulsa.edu or (918) 596-2720

ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY

NWA MEDIA FILE PHOTO • LARGEMOUTH BASS ARE AMONG NATIVE GAMEFISH ON DISPLAY IN THE HUGE AQUARIUM AT DARDANELLE STATE PARK.

Water sports
Just two hours from Rogers, Lake Dardanelle State Park has much to offer, starting with a 10,527-square-foot, state-of-the-art visitor center with four aquariums.

The lake itself covers 34,300 acres of water and is known for great fishing. The park’s top-notch weigh-in pavilion, Lake Dardanelle is host to many national bass fishing tournaments. arkansasstateparks.com/lakedardanelle or (479) 967-5516

Take a step back
Restored to its original Victorian glory, Van Buren’s downtown historic district offers six blocks of dining, shopping and art galleries. A destination of the Arkansas-Missouri Railroad, the historical district has been used for scenes in the TV mini-series The Blue and the Gray. vanburen.org or (800) 332-5889.

Cluster of Wineries
Although Arkansas may not have the acclaim of California or other areas among wine experts, the sandy soil and different microclimates near Altus are ideal for vineyards.

Thousands of guests to Wiederkehr Village each year enjoy tours of the grounds, along with authentic Swiss and European foods at the Weinkeller Restaurant, which has won multiple awards. Three additional vineyards— Chateau Aux Arc, Mount Bethel Win- ery and Post Familie Winery — also offer tours, wine tasting and more. fortsmith.org/things-to-do/arkansas_ Wine_country or (479) 468-WINE.

BRANSON, MO

Located 85 miles from Bentonville, Branson has something for every member of the family. Along with turn-of-the-century theme park Silver Dollar City, there is shopping, live theater, comedy acts, museums, fishing, boating and even extreme adventures such as zip-lining and helicopter rides.

cruise the lake: The Branson Belle is a four-deck paddlewheel showboat that lets guest enjoy gorgeous views of Table Rock Lake, musical entertainment, comedy acts and gourmet dining. Each cruise lasts two hours, with departures at noon, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. showboatbransonbelle.com or (800) 475-9370

VIEW A MAP OF BEAVER LAKE PARKS

Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Beaver Lake was dammed in 1964 and provides hydroelectric power, flood control, recreation and drinking water. Recreational opportunities include swimming, water skiing, hiking, fishing, diving, biking, camping and hunting.

Day-use fees vary, ranging from $3 to $4 per car or you can purchase an annual pass for $30. Boat ramps are open off-season but a $4 day-use fee applies. Group shelters can be reserved for year-round use.

For updates on high-water closings or maintenance, call the Beaver Lake project office at (479) 636-1210. For campground or picnic shelter reservations, call (877) 444-6777 or go online at recreation.gov.