Although we here at Razorback Expats fancy ourselves thoroughly modern, 21st century types, we occasionally still like to keep in touch with the more old school arts - namely, books (you know, those bound-together stacks of paper you sometimes see lying around). With that in mind, I’d like to share some thoughts about a book called “Game of My Life: Memorable Stories of Razorback Football” by Rick Schaeffer.

You surely know Schaeffer from his many years as the U of A sports information director, or perhaps recognize his voice from his countless Razorback radio broadcasts. In his book, he uses his years of experience to provide a really interesting look at some of the biggest football games in Hog history, as told by the players themselves. It’s broken down into 24 chapters (plus a brief foreward by “J. Frank Broyles”…so formal!), each focusing on a particular player and their experiences before, during and after the game (mostly during).

In addition to providing great details about each game (a lot of which, frankly, I either never knew or had long since forgotten), Schaeffer does a good job of capturing the personality of each athlete…much more than you’d get from the standard generic post-game quotes. Because my formative years as a Razorback fan were in the 80s, I particularly enjoyed the chapters on players like Quinn Grovey, James Rouse, Gary Anderson and Brad Taylor, but the book covers everything from Preston Carpenter’s reflections on the 1954 Ole Miss game to DeCori Birmingham’s take on the 2002 “Miracle on Markham St”. In other words, there’s a little something for everyone.

To sum up, Schaeffer’s book is a quick and easy read, full of interesting facts and anecdotes that any serious Hog fan (if you’re reading this blog that probably means you) would likely enjoy. If you’re curious to know more, here’s a short excerpt. And if you’re really intrigued, you can buy it here.

One of the most exciting sporting events I’ve ever attended in person was the 1989 Arkansas-Houston game. A classic shootout between two high-powered offenses (Quinn Grovey, James Rouse, Derek Russell, Barry Foster and crew for the Hogs; eventual Heisman winner Andre Ware for the run & shoot Cougars), it truly seemed like the last team to have the ball would win.

Of course, the Razorbacks ultimately pulled it out, 45-39, behind Quinn Grovey’s 335 yards of total offense (79 rushing, 256 passing) and five TDs. My main memory of that game was sitting in the north end zone at War Memorial, watching both teams throw bomb after bomb up and down the field. I’m sure time has effected my impressions just a little bit, but the way I recall it, every pass went for about 30 yards and every run went for about 15.

Reading about the Kentucky game tomorrow definitely brought back memories of this one against Houston. Again, the Hogs face a powerful offense with a nationally recognized QB. And again, we have quite a powerful attack of our own. Will it be another classic? We’ll see…I just hope the Razorbacks have the ball last.