Arkansas Razorbacks: Hogs add Rutgers to football schedule

LSU game location decided

February 17, 2012|Chris Replogle, KY3 News | Twitter: @ky3hogsinsider or on Facebook: @KYTVHogsInsider

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long promised a big-time addition to the 2012 football schedule. He delivered.

Arkansas will play Big East Conference member Rutgers in a home and home series. The Scarlet Knights will play in Fayetteville next season. Taht game will be played September 22. The Hogs will travel to Piscataway, New Jersey in 2012.

"We are pleased to add a quality non-conference opponent like Rutgers to our 2012 football schedule,” said Long. "In the end, we believe we have put together a competitive 2012 schedule for our nationally ranked football program and some exciting games for Razorback fans."

Rutgers won the Pinstripe Bowl last season against Iowa State, finishing the year at 9-4. The Scarlet Knights will likely be a pre-season favorite next season for the Big East title.

Long's news did not stop with Rutgers. Arkansas announced it will move the rivalry game with LSU from Little Rock to Fayetteville. The traditional after-Thanksgiving game has not been played in Fayetteville since 1992, Arkansas' inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference.

"Playing the LSU game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium directly benefits our program in a number of ways including most importantly providing an additional 20,000 Razorback fans an opportunity to cheer on our team and in this great rivalry game," said Long. "By re-arranging the rotation and playing the regular season finale in Fayetteville, it will also prevent our team from a competitive disadvantage of traveling three straight weekends in the most crucial part of the season."

Arkansas will open the season against Jacksonville State in Fayetteville. It opens conference play in Fayetteville against the defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide.

2012 Arkansas Razorbacks Schedule
Date Opponent Site

Sept. 1 Jacksonville State Fayetteville

Sept. 8 Louisiana-Monroe Little Rock

Sept. 15 Alabama Fayetteville

Sept. 22 Rutgers Fayetteville

Sept. 29 vs. Texas A&M# TBD

Oct. 6 at Auburn Auburn, Ala.

Oct. 13 Kentucky Fayetteville
Oct. 20 Open Date