Arkansas Football: Hogs Fans Make Huge Statement at Red-White Game

The Arkansas Razorbacks held their annual Red-White Spring Game yesterday, and there hasn't been this much excitement in the state of Arkansas since Bill Clinton was elected President of the United States.

Any doubt in the level of fan support for Bobby Petrino and his Razorbacks was eliminated last night in Fayetteville.  A record crowd of 40,200 witnessed the arrival of the Petrino era at Arkansas inside the confines of Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

How significant was this attendance figure?

In 2004 Arkansas drew 3,200 to the Red-White Game. In 2005, 10,300 and in 2006, 23,000. 

The Razorback's web site did not report an estimated attendance for last year—the game was played on a day when the weather was less than cooperative with temperatures in the mid 30's. 

To further illustrate this point, the Razorbacks' Red-White attendance outdrew such big time teams as Oklahoma (23,306), LSU (33,624), Tennessee (28,898), Georgia (19,874), Auburn (34,598), and Southern California (22,000) in their respective spring games.

Granted, record attendance at spring games will not produce winning teams—that responsibility belongs to Bobby Petrino.

Judging from what the Arkansas fans saw Saturday evening, it is apparent that the Razorbacks are definitely headed in a different direction.

In last years' spring game, Casey Dick was said to have turned in a "steady" performance completing 8 of 14 (57%) for 117 yards and 2 TD's. This year Casey Dick completed 33 of 49 (67%) for 404 yards and 2 TD's.

This years performance was against a depleted injury plagued defense, but don't dismiss the significance of this shift in productivity.

After just four months on the job, Petrino is drastically changing the face of Arkansas football for the better.

By Petrino's own admission, the Razorbacks have a long way to go before they will be ready compete at the highest level in the SEC.

We are four months away from the time that teams will report for supervised practice in August—five months from kick off.

Between now and then you can expect the Razorbacks to improve and refine their new offensive attack, while also determining the necessary answers for success on defense.

While the Razorbacks gave fans a glimpse of their new style last night, the fan base made a statement to the Razorbacks and to their foes in the SEC—if the Razorbacks don't win big this year, it won't be for lack of support.

That's my view from outside the lines.