Arkansas Vs SMU

[Potosihog]

Espnu will air the Ar Vs SMU game from 1982 on Dec 14 at 1:00am. Is this the infamous pass interference game? I will be recording it since it starts at 1:00 am

[cityhog]

yes.  yes it is.  for all you young ones out there, watch this game and see why t-shirts and bumber stickers were created about SWC refs after that game.  SWC screwing at its finest.

[Wear Schoonover]

"Damn Texas Refs!"

[booogaga]

someone give us a number chart of guys on both teams so us youngins can know who we are watching!

[Pigsknuckles]

Super. I could not attend, and was unable to see/hear any broadcasts. To date, I have seen no video of the controversial calls.

[HF#1]

I'll be snoozing.  Just passed 2000 posts.  Yay me.

[little pigee]

I was there, and couldn't walk for a week.

[josh_sec33]

For those who are not familiar with the game, Can those of us that remember the game in better detail give a good explanation of what happened, when, and the implications.

never pass up an opportunity to teach the new hogs about the history of the program.

(I'd do it myself, but my knowledge of details on this game are shaky.)

[Wear Schoonover]

someone give us a number chart of guys on both teams so us youngins can know who we are watching!

Some fella named Dickinson wore #19. Running back, I think.

[Wear Schoonover]

In short: Arkansas was playing SMU at Texas Stadium. SMU had Dickerson and Craig James ... "The Pony Express".

Back in the SWC days, referees for Arkansas games could not be from Arkansas (for fear of "cheating"). Arkansas' Nathan Jones was called for defensive pass interference, which put the ball inside the Red Zone. SMU went on score and the game ended in a 17-17 TIE; nonetheless, this gave SMU the Conference Championship as Arkansas had lost to Baylor earlier in the season. 

The controversy was that there was no defensive pass interference.  It was clearly OFFENSIVE pass interference, and everybody in the stadium and in TV Land saw it---except the Texas ref.  In a post-game interview, the SMU player reportedly said he was play-acting, trying to convince ref that it was Jones interfering with him.

A variety of bumper stickers emerged at the time saying, "Damn Texas Refs".

[TNhawgfan]

SMU was undefeated going into the game and on their way to another national championship with a win over the Hogs. They did not get the win, but they did get a tie with some bogus officiating. Like someone else has already said, SWC taking care of their own. Of course, the SWC officials weren't the only cheaters, as just a few years later SMU was hit with the death penalty and didn't play any football games for two seasons (thus killing their football program). I believe there is going to be a documentary on this on ESPN Saturday night. I wonder if they will talk at all about the 82 tie with the Hogs?

[Silver Hog]

Anybody have a pic of the 'interference' or the "eyes of texas" poster that came out after this game. I can't seem to find either online.

[huthut]

I distinctly remember their chicken s&*% coach, going for the tie instead of
the win. That year, I believe, was also the last year that 55 yard penalties
were allowed in college football. ESPN's great documentary series, 30 for 30,
will air their last episode, whose subject will be "the Pony Express", this Saturday.

[DeltaBoy]

The Shaft Game !

[Hogphilia]

The ref's name was Horton Nsersta - yep spelling is right. I wrote him a long letter.  Big write-up in Ark Gazette about him apologizing
G to hog fans but said his call was right. Even though the sum player said it wasn't.

This call is what made NCAA change the penalty on this infraction from a spot foul to 15 yards.

[ChicoHog]

I was there. i think it was the week before Thanksgiving. Made the trip in my mustang with my roommate and 3 girls in the back seat.  We drank 2 cases of beer on the way down and 2 more on the way back.  It was that Oklahoma 3.2 beer.  Not a smart thing to do by the way.  We had a great time but a horrible ending to that game.  And then 2 weeks later we laid down against Texas in Austin and got killed.  that was a really good hog team.  We did beat Florida in the Bluebonnet bowl to finish the year. 

[HawgFan70]

Wont ever forget i was 12 years old and my passion for Arkansas football was as deep then as it is now. My entire family was at my grandmothers watching the game. When it was over i went outside and cried like a baby. I will dvr it this time maybe i wont cry lol. My mother got me a SWC address and i wrote a letter she mailed it for me. Funny how i remember that like it just happened

[George S. Pigton]

I went down with my folks, I was 15.  Everyone was excited about a trip to the Cotton Bowl and was expecting the
win.  Could not believe the call, we were just speechless.  I think that was the last road trip my Dad went on, he took it hard.

[T2 RZB]

That's funny.  No mention of the interference call on SMU's site recalling the 90 greatest moments in SMU history.  Only the FG block by Russell Carter.  Interesting that you have to go to the high 30s on the list to find anything significant that happened in the last 25-30 years.

http://smumustangs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/greatest-moments-09.html

[LZH]

Someone needs to record and post that play.  The Hogs DB was running IN FRONT of the SMU receiver on a go route down the east sideline.  The pass was well overthrown as the DB didn't even make much of a play on the ball.  The WR ran up the back of the DB, and the ref called PI.

This is purely from memory, so someone add or correct as needed.

[LJHOG]

Someone needs to record and post that play.  The Hogs DB was running IN FRONT of the SMU receiver on a go route down the east sideline.  The pass was well overthrown as the DB didn't even make much of a play on the ball.  The WR ran up the back of the DB, and the ref called PI.

This is purely from memory, so someone add or correct as needed.

Yes that is exactly what happened.  Also while y'all watch (I won't) take notice of the roughing the punter that wasn't called either.

[BaggerHog]

I am going to anger some folks by what I'm going to say but I can to this day see that play in my mind. I think it was a bad call but I can see how it could be called interference.

I will not be able to see it on espnu because my local cable is the worse in the state and does not offer it. I tried dish but had too many large trees and could not get a good signal.

To the best of my memory it was a long pass and slightly overthrown. Jones (Ark. D-back) was ahead of the receiver and between him and the ball. If Jones had gone for the ball there probably would have been no call but instead he slowed down and put his arms down to his side. The offensive man ran up his back (sts). I can see how that would have been seen as blocking the receiver's path to the ball. If Jones had had his arms up and never slowed down there would have been no way it could have been seen as interference.

[forwhomthebelltoll]

It was a horrible call and I can still hear the great ABC play by play man, Keith Jackson, say, "I frankly don't care who wins this game but I hate to see it decided on a call like that!" BaggerVance, this was before the days of making a play on the ball. I have always said this was the worst call I have ever seen.

[The Great Hambino]

I distinctly remember their chicken s&*% coach, going for the tie instead of
the win. That year, I believe, was also the last year that 55 yard penalties
were allowed in college football. ESPN's great documentary series, 30 for 30,
will air their last episode, whose subject will be "the Pony Express", this Saturday.

30 for 30 is about the only good programming that comes on ESPN anymore, except for games of course. Sometimes I watch Around the Horn.

[cityhog]

Attended that game with my sister and her 4 closest friends (5 in a VW bug).  Thought the Arkansas fans were going to burn down TX stadium.

[98hogs]

Pass Interference My _ _ _ !!

[cityhog]

In short: Arkansas was playing SMU at Texas Stadium. SMU had Dickerson and Craig James ... "The Pony Express".

Back in the SWC days, referees for Arkansas games could not be from Arkansas (for fear of "cheating"). Arkansas' Nathan Jones was called for defensive pass interference, which put the ball inside the Red Zone. SMU went on score and the game ended in a 17-17 TIE; nonetheless, this gave SMU the Conference Championship as Arkansas had lost to Baylor earlier in the season. 

The controversy was that there was no defensive pass interference.  It was clearly OFFENSIVE pass interference, and everybody in the stadium and in TV Land saw it---except the Texas ref.  In a post-game interview, the SMU player reportedly said he was play-acting, trying to convince ref that it was Jones interfering with him.

A variety of bumper stickers emerged at the time saying, "Damn Texas Refs".

This always enraged me, and Holtz as well, because we couldn't have any Arkansas refs, but all of the refs were from TX.  Hypocrisy much?

[jgphillips3]

How bad was that call?  Bad enough to change the rules in college football.  That's all that has to be said about that game.  It still makes me sick to this day. 

[Potosihog]

From PonyFans.com (SMU forum) "Oh no. I am going to hear about the pass interference call again. It was just starting to die down a little."

[hogfan58]

It was not "slightly" overthrown - it was well over thrown. It wasn't catch-able. Our defender realized it and slowed down. Their receiver ran up his back. At best it was a no call. I was watching the game with non Ark and SMU fans who said it was the most blatant and obvious rip off call they had ever seen. It was so blatant than when you see it, you can't even believe that a penalty is being called.

[hillhog]

Super. I could not attend, and was unable to see/hear any broadcasts. To date, I have seen no video of the controversial calls.

Just put the image of Tebow's magical first down call, you will get a very good representation of the interference call.

[hillhog]

Attended that game with my sister and her 4 closest friends (5 in a VW bug).  Thought the Arkansas fans were going to burn down TX stadium.

They should have

[bphi11ips]

How bad was that call?  Bad enough to change the rules in college football.  That's all that has to be said about that game.  It still makes me sick to this day. 

This.  It was a watershed moment.  Until 1982 pass interference in college football was a spot foul.  During the offseason the rule was changed to 15 yards from the previous spot (the exception being when interference occurs in the end zone).  The change was the direct result of national controversy/discussion following the game.

I personally like the old rule better.  If the pass is over 15 yards, why not interfere?

The bumper sticker I remember is "Pass Interference My Ass".  There were as many of those as little hogs on antennas.   

[Wild Bill Hog]

Ref was a guy named Horton Nesrsta who had played at Rice.  He refereed no more Arkansas games after this one and his career was pretty much over at that point as well.

[HognVA]

30 for 30 is about the only good programming that comes on ESPN anymore, except for games of course. Sometimes I watch Around the Horn.

PTI baby

[Arkfan]

Horton Nsesrta, who last we checked was still living in the Houston area, was considered a fine and well-respected referee in the Southwest Conference up through the early 1980s. In former Big Ten and NFL referee Jerry Markbreit's memoir about his days officiating college and pro football, he mentions the Rice Owl three-year letterman fondly. They shared a few days on the field together in stripes and developed a friendship.

Yet, Nsesrta was the one who threw his flag in one of the most dubious plays involving an Arkansas Razorbacks game. So, at least in Arkansas among the older Hog fans, his name is held in infamy.

After that penalty flag, in which a great acting job by the SMU wide receiver momentarily convinced a good official that Arkansas cornerback Nathan Jones, running in front of the receiver and closer to the football, had somehow interfered with the catch, Nsesrta's days of calling Lou Holtz' Razorback games were over. And not too long later, Nsesrta was done with officiating college football, though he did resurface to referee some United States Football League games for a few seasons.   

I wasnt at the game but I was living in Dallas at the time and watched it on TV. To this day its the worse call Ive ever seen with the one in the Florida game coming in at second.

You get a call that's so bad that they change the rule, its bad.

[ballz2thewall]

It is the game. I was there. Nathan jones was the db for the hogs. I'll never forget it.

[RebelliousHog]

I was there. i think it was the week before Thanksgiving. Made the trip in my mustang with my roommate and 3 girls in the back seat.  We drank 2 cases of beer on the way down and 2 more on the way back.  It was that Oklahoma 3.2 beer.  Not a smart thing to do by the way.  We had a great time but a horrible ending to that game.  And then 2 weeks later we laid down against Texas in Austin and got killed.  that was a really good hog team.  We did beat Florida in the Bluebonnet bowl to finish the year. 

Two dudes and 3 girls and all you did was drink 4 cases of beer? Hell, Okie beer won't even make you drunk.

[Sas Nakra]

I was at the game. It was a thing of beauty. Holtz at his best against a better SMU team. Hogs should have won it but as is typical of Hog football, we did not get the critical win. At least did not lose it.