When the Sun Rises on Yet Another Glorious College Football Saturday

It’s that first hint of cool in the morning air after a long, hot summer … because it starts to feel like football.

It’s setting my alarm to check the smoker and brisket temps in the middle of the night before an Arkansas Razorback road game.
It’s the all-day celebration of community, allegiance, history, food, spirits and even burning hickory wood — all in the glorious name of college football.
It’s the excitement of Lee Corso — and whatever mascot headgear he’s going to pull out — on ESPN GameDay.
It’s having an entire dresser drawer reserved for game day shirts. And it’s the people who painted the family of Razorbacks on their backyard fence.

It’s hanging out with my dad for an entire game day every season — and the smile on his face as we snap our annual selfie surrounded by tailgating fans.
It’s my brother-in-law Matt and I singing “HERE COMES THE BOOM!” at the top of our lungs on the drive from Bentonville to Fayetteville.

It’s my whole family taking Tammy’s 90-year-old Grandma Betty to her first Razorbacks game — and her actually raising her arms to do the Hog Call.
It’s the best damn pre-game grilled cheese anywhere with Tammy at Hammontrees. And it’s heading to Grub’s at 10 a.m. when kickoff isn’t until 7 p.m.
It’s a packed bar Calling the Hogs repeatedly several hours before kickoff — and even Alabama and LSU fans standing on their stools to yell “Roll Tide” and “Geaux Tigers.”


It’s smoke billowing out of the Hog pen in the north end zone — the players charging through the “A” formed by the marching band as fireworks explode.
It’s the glow of flatscreens and campfires going strong outside the walls of Razorback Stadium during the game.
It’s the tingles running up and down my spine when 70,000 Arkansas fans Call the Hogs in Razorback Stadium. And the west side of the stadium screaming “ARKANSAS,” as the fans on the east side immediately send a “RAZORBACKS” echoing back.
It’s the moments …
Like Darren McFadden churning out 300+ rushing yards vs. South Carolina — like a damn machine.
Like Joe Adams going Houdini on the Tennessee defense for one of the greatest punt returns EVER.
And, just a few weeks later, watching him hurdle lead blocker Kiero Small while rolling off a 92-yard touchdown run against Auburn to start the 2nd half.
It’s Ronnie Wingo scoring on the second play of the game vs Alabama and feeling like Razorback Stadium was going to crumble beneath my feet from the pandemonium … only to watch Alabama score in the final minutes of the game to snatch victory away once again.
It’s Ryan Mallett heaving one to Cobi Hamilton when everyone on the planet figured he’d take a knee. And Cobi outrunning the LSU defense for an 80-yard TD to end the first half.
It’s showing up every game through a dreadful 0–17 stretch in SEC play … and soaking in every second of the Hogs 17–0 drubbing of LSU to put that streak to rest.
It’s the football God’s smiling down on the Hogs (for a change) as Hunter Henry and Alex Collins pull off what’s been dubbed the “Hunter Heave” to set up the dagger against Ole Miss.
It’s losing my voice before halftime … and my ears ringing for a few days afterward.
But, above all else, it’s about trembling with energy and excitement like a kid on Christmas morning every time the sun rises to signal the start of another glorious college football Saturday … because, damn it, THIS is my happy place.
It’s time.



