UA Doesn’t Deliver Product Worth $100 Ticket at War Memorial Stadium

[Robert Shields]

UA Doesn't Deliver Product Worth $100 Ticket at War Memorial Stadium

Robert Shields

The Arkansas Razorback football team took a huge step back this week in Little Rock against the Georgia Bulldogs. Before the game, there were very few Razorbacks fans who would have expected an absolute beat down in the first half to essentially end the game – but that's what they got.

There are two things that became clearer this weekend that sheds light on where exactly the Razorback football program is at this moment. First, Texas A&M is a really bad team, and just a few weeks back the Razorbacks let an inferior team get away with a victory they never should have had.

Secondly, the Razorbacks had a chance against an Alabama team that for whatever reason took last week off from football, yet the Razorbacks could not take advantage of a rare opportunity being virtually handed to them.

How will the SEC losing streak ever end if they can't pull off just one of those two wins?

Overall, Saturday's edition of Razorback football looked exactly like the teams that got shellacked last year. The defense was exposed like Swiss cheese right out of the gate.

It was also disappointing that the running game was stymied by the Georgia defense at times forcing the Razorbacks to go to the air, which this offense was never designed to do. You can skip watching Razorback games and look at the box score, and if you see Brandon Allen had to throw more than 40 times, the Razorbacks lost.

The overall disappointment was compounded by the fact that the same mistakes over the last three games continued to be repeated. The missed extra point after the Razorbacks' first score against Georgia was deflating to the fans especially in the face of what was the exact difference in the Razorbacks' loss to Alabama the previous week. If you had hoped before the Georgia game that such mistakes had been rectified, the answer is no.

Even further disappointment is that mistakes such as turnovers keep haunting this team. The lack of ball security is disconcerting. The Razorbacks had three turnovers against Alabama, and they were up to the task this week against Georgia to better that mark.

Without the turnovers, maybe the game against Georgia would have been competitive.  Apparently all the experts liked the Razorback chances, as at least four on CBS Sportsline had the Hogs winning as did analysts on ESPN and the SEC Network.

Instead, the streak of losses against SEC teams went to 16 in a row and the last 12 belong to Bret Bielema. Even more shocking, the Razorbacks have lost their last three SEC games in Little Rock and four out of their last five in the Old Gray Lady. The once impenetrable confines seem no different than any other place the Hogs have been slaughtered during this most dire time for Razorback fans.

Bielema heads into a dangerous game this weekend and maybe a crossroad for him as the fan base will get nasty if the Razorbacks lose to the UAB Blazers because the program is supposed to have advanced way past the point of losing to non-SEC teams on its regular season schedule.

In spite of the product on the field, Ole Miss fans would be proud of the Razorback fans as they won the party, though.

The tailgating around War Memorial Stadium and in particular on the golf course was gargantuan. It was certainly one of the largest attended tailgate events ever at the stadium and easily exceeded 80,000 people. Many said it was the largest ever. It was epic to say in a word.

The tailgaters hit it hard and arrived early at the golf course. Traffic was a mess and snarled as people vied to find their space to party. A first for the golf course, a man was seen with two large snakes wrapped around him. Having a little port-a-potty camping tent thing they make now is also coming into vogue on the golf course. I cannot blame people as the port-a-potties provided by the city are limited and overwhelmed by such a large crowd that is out to celebrate like it's the Burning Man Festival.

The Razorback mascot arrived around 11 a.m. on Markham Street getting his police escort. A Georgia fan nearby was actually excited to see the Razorback mascot pass. It was kind of like a celebrity star sighting for him. He was probably more excited than the Razorback fans and was surprised by its size.

The team arrived 30 minutes early than has been the customary practice in the past of arriving two hours before the game. The players arrived around 12:30 p.m. catching many fans unaware. Their arrival was also fast blitzing down the street at a high rate of speed. I witnessed no fans going out into the street as all stayed on the sidewalk to avoid getting run over by the speeding buses.

The fast approach gave fans little to no time to greet the team out on Markham for their approach, and it was a light turnout to greet them. If the plan is to kill the tradition of fans going out onto the street and beating on the buses and yelling at the team like they are rock stars, it could not be executed any better.

The fans arrived in the stadium expecting a victory, yet once again were disappointed. The first drive brought the fans alive, but that was to be it.

Some fans had to pay an extortion fee of $100 to witness this debacle. The fans got to watch another serving of losing football with the always looming threat that all games will be pulled out of Central Arkansas.

If they are going to lose, they can do that just as easily in Fayetteville and make more money.

It's a shame the UA football program could not match the same level of excitement as seen on the golf course by the fans. Like a bad breakup where one is saying to the other, "it's not you, it's me," maybe it's time for Little Rock to tell the UA to stop coming instead of the other way around.




Send your tailgate stories to fromthebench@yahoo.com.

[The_Hog_Father]

Vent 'n Rumors. 

[hogsanity]

WMS doesn't deliver a product worthy of hosting SEC football, so whats your point, other than you think LR should continue to get something for nothing.

Tailgating, tailgating tailgating. I wish they would outlaw it, then we would find out how few "real fans" there are.

[Doyle Hograves]

who is Bob Shields?

[Filthy_McSwine]

Don't see much there I disagree with.

[hoggusamoungus]

And you don't deliver a product worth a sheet but yet you still post every week.

[Doyle Hograves]

And you don't deliver a product worth a sheet but yet you still post every week.

agreed...

[LZH]

maybe it's time for Little Rock to tell the UA to stop coming instead of the other way around.

Ha!  Now that's funny.  Ouch.

[sowmonella]

You answered you own question Robert. Don't go to games. Quit crying about ticket prices and go away. Every team lays an egg once in a while. Please quit putting your whiney ramblings out like they have some value to any one with at least 1/2 a brain. Go buy a ticket to a Bama, Georgia, LSU, or A & M game and let me know how much the savings are. So many people on Hogville ridicule your posts. Do you ever even consider they are correct? Serious question... have you no shame?

[hawgsalot]

I will say the crowd went bye bye after the missed extra point.  Not at all what I expected a WM stadium but it was a tough game til the 3rd and a ton were back to drinking on the course by then.

[Dirty]

You answered you own question Robert. Don't go to games. Quit crying about ticket prices and go away. Every team lays an egg once in a while. Please quit putting your whiney ramblings out like they have some value to any one with at least 1/2 a brain. Go buy a ticket to a Bama, Georgia, LSU, or A & M game and let me know how much the savings are. So many people on Hogville ridicule your posts. Do you ever even consider they are correct? Serious question... have you no shame?

Lay an egg every once in a while?  How about 16 straight.

[Pigsknuckles]

The ultimate insult was when the halftime crew publicly "apologized" for their pregame predictions.

[wupigsuey]

All that to say we aren't very good. Thanks for the heads up.

[rmcchris]

Now that was for sure a POS.  I will wish for X-mas that you just find it in your heart to quit writing trash about our University.  Obviously you are not a fan, a supporter or any other label except a negative contributor to the program.

[Augustus]

You answered you own question Robert. Don't go to games. Quit crying about ticket prices and go away. Every team lays an egg once in a while. Please quit putting your whiney ramblings out like they have some value to any one with at least 1/2 a brain. Go buy a ticket to a Bama, Georgia, LSU, or A & M game and let me know how much the savings are. So many people on Hogville ridicule your posts. Do you ever even consider they are correct? Serious question... have you no shame?

once in a while?  We're 0-16 in the SEC.

I understood and didn't have a problem with raising ticket prices when we were going to Sugar Bowl or winning Cotton Bowl.

But tacking on a $35 "donation" fee for a team that's currently 0-16 in conference, for that performance Saturday, was just offensive by the UofA administration.

[Pig In The City]

Let me tell you what is disappointing. The fact that grown men hang their hats on what a few 18-19 year old boys do to the point they would write a lengthy diatribe which vaguely resembles stating the obvious. Now THAT is a head scratcher!

[ricepig]

once in a while?  We're 0-16 in the SEC.

I understood and didn't have a problem with raising ticket prices when we were going to Sugar Bowl or winning Cotton Bowl.

But tacking on a $35 "donation" fee for a team that's currently 0-16 in conference, for that performance Saturday, was just offensive by the UofA administration.

Should have bought the Mini SEC pack for $199 for those who thought/think it is too high.

[hoggusamoungus]

once in a while?  We're 0-16 in the SEC.

I understood and didn't have a problem with raising ticket prices when we were going to Sugar Bowl or winning Cotton Bowl.

But tacking on a $35 "donation" fee for a team that's currently 0-16 in conference, for that performance Saturday, was just offensive by the UofA administration.

Members of the RF pay a "donation" fee for every ticket purchased, whether in RRS or WMS.  When factoring that in, many paid much more than $100 for Saturday's game because they gladly support the program.

[DeltaBoy]

Great Post Robert the UA should return that 35 buck surcharge since the Hogs didn't show up. This game was an embarrassment to the Fans and Program. Jeff Long got Integrity and he brings in the COLD HARD CASH, But he is an EPIC FALIURE at getting us to winning at Football. 

[RazorbackToTheFuture]

Who the hell is Robert Shields?

[ricepig]

Great Post Robert the UA should return that 35 buck surcharge since the Hogs didn't show up. This game was an embarrassment to the Fans and Program. Jeff Long got Integrity and he brings in the COLD HARD CASH, But he is an EPIC FALIURE at getting us to winning at Football. 

What play did he call this game Lion84?

[PorkRinds]

Great Post Robert the UA should return that 35 buck surcharge since the Hogs didn't show up. This game was an embarrassment to the Fans and Program. Jeff Long got Integrity and he brings in the COLD HARD CASH, But he is an EPIC FALIURE at getting us to winning at Football.

Good thing that's not his job, genius.

[jrulz83]

How has this gotten to over 20 reply's without:



You let me down Hogville. 

[The_Iceman]

Robert, guess what?

[GolfnHog]

Great Post Robert the UA should return that 35 buck surcharge since the Hogs didn't show up. This game was an embarrassment to the Fans and Program. Jeff Long got Integrity and he brings in the COLD HARD CASH, But he is an EPIC FALIURE at getting us to winning at Football. 

You are at least consistent w/ your diatribe;  you want the product you want but don't give to the RF. Yes, there was a meltdown of Titanic proportions Saturday but what improved from last year was that this team fought back from their own self inflicted wounds and played a decent 2nd half.

I realize  that "if and buts were candy and nuts" everyone would have a Merry [CENSORED] Christmas but these kids didn't throw in the towel.

*If the last interception hadn't been thrown and GA notscored their last TD and everything finished the way it did the final score would have been 38-32. (Again ole "ifs and buts" theory).

* If you gave as much money as you do crap about Long, I'd probably have a bit of appreciation for your opinion, but it is what it is. (there's that lil ole stinking theory again)

[Boardon Hamsay]

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[attachment deleted by admin]

[LRrazorback]

Have never read Roberts column until today but thought it was right on. After 2 conf wins in 3 years, the product stinks and not worth the money. The atmosphere at the game Saturday was awesome, stadium isn't the most comfortable but, it was hard to top the atmosphere. Why the hate on Robert?  I'm not up to speed with him

[Robert Shields]

The ultimate insult was when the halftime crew publicly "apologized" for their pregame predictions.

I don't know if it was an insult as much as it was just sad.

[RazorbackRon]

Dear Robert Shields,

Your product is free and still not worth it......

and NO I did not read it.....your title was enough

Signed

Robert Who

[RazorbackRon]

Have never read Roberts column until today but thought it was right on. After 2 conf wins in 3 years, the product stinks and not worth the money. The atmosphere at the game Saturday was awesome, stadium isn't the most comfortable but, it was hard to top the atmosphere. Why the hate on Robert?  I'm not up to speed with him

You need to get out more if you thought the atmosphere was 'awesome'.  Maybe try making a Fayetteville game once in your life.

[BadHog]

Who the hell is Robert Shields?

Every week we ask this question and get no answer. However I found this...

Robert Shields is the bestselling author of "Scarlet Fever: A Razorback House Divided" and "The Economics of Sex" and has written the weekly "From the Bench" sports column for the last fifteen years. His novel, "Daphne and The Mysterious Girls Secret Bathroom Society" is part one of this new series. His latest novel is "Diminishing Paige." He also authored the book "Confessions of the Self Absorbed Observer: What I Saw Today." Shields is also an expert witness as an economist in the utility industry. He has testified in a multitude of dockets and other legal proceedings. He graduated at the top of his economics class at the University of Arkansas and won the award as the "Most Outstanding Student in Economics."

Didn't know Scarlet Fever was a "best seller" Not on any best seller list that I am familiar with. I think he wrote this bio;)

[Dwight_K_Shrute]

And what did LR and WMS stadium deliver?

Oh wait they delivered this which is more embarrassing than any loss.  Most people viewing the video will think these are typical Razorback fans when in fact that they are just drunk white trash congregating on a golf course next to stadium that unfortunately was hosting a Razorback football game.

http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/outkick-the-coverage/these-white-people-are-crazy-102014

[Augustus]

You need to get out more if you thought the atmosphere was 'awesome'.  Maybe try making a Fayetteville game once in your life.

One thing I've never seen in Fayetteville, but have seen multiple times at WMS (and yes, I'm sure it still occurs in Fayetteville, I've just never seen it)

"Arkansas Razorback fans have given up winning football games and resorted to fighting each other."
http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/outkick-the-coverage/these-white-people-are-crazy-102014

[Dwight_K_Shrute]

One thing I've never seen in Fayetteville, but have seen multiple times at WMS (and yes, I'm sure it still occurs in Fayetteville, I've just never seen it)

"Arkansas Razorback fans have given up winning football games and resorted to fighting each other."
http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/outkick-the-coverage/these-white-people-are-crazy-102014

Beat you by 12 seconds.  Are you Augustus the 3rd?  If so all credit to you since I found the link on one of your tweets.

[woodhog14]

UA Doesn't Deliver Product Worth $100 Ticket at War Memorial Stadium

Robert Shields

The Arkansas Razorback football team took a huge step back this week in Little Rock against the Georgia Bulldogs. Before the game, there were very few Razorbacks fans who would have expected an absolute beat down in the first half to essentially end the game – but that's what they got.

There are two things that became clearer this weekend that sheds light on where exactly the Razorback football program is at this moment. First, Texas A&M is a really bad team, and just a few weeks back the Razorbacks let an inferior team get away with a victory they never should have had.

Secondly, the Razorbacks had a chance against an Alabama team that for whatever reason took last week off from football, yet the Razorbacks could not take advantage of a rare opportunity being virtually handed to them.

How will the SEC losing streak ever end if they can't pull off just one of those two wins?

Overall, Saturday's edition of Razorback football looked exactly like the teams that got shellacked last year. The defense was exposed like Swiss cheese right out of the gate.

It was also disappointing that the running game was stymied by the Georgia defense at times forcing the Razorbacks to go to the air, which this offense was never designed to do. You can skip watching Razorback games and look at the box score, and if you see Brandon Allen had to throw more than 40 times, the Razorbacks lost.

The overall disappointment was compounded by the fact that the same mistakes over the last three games continued to be repeated. The missed extra point after the Razorbacks' first score against Georgia was deflating to the fans especially in the face of what was the exact difference in the Razorbacks' loss to Alabama the previous week. If you had hoped before the Georgia game that such mistakes had been rectified, the answer is no.

Even further disappointment is that mistakes such as turnovers keep haunting this team. The lack of ball security is disconcerting. The Razorbacks had three turnovers against Alabama, and they were up to the task this week against Georgia to better that mark.

Without the turnovers, maybe the game against Georgia would have been competitive.  Apparently all the experts liked the Razorback chances, as at least four on CBS Sportsline had the Hogs winning as did analysts on ESPN and the SEC Network.

Instead, the streak of losses against SEC teams went to 16 in a row and the last 12 belong to Bret Bielema. Even more shocking, the Razorbacks have lost their last three SEC games in Little Rock and four out of their last five in the Old Gray Lady. The once impenetrable confines seem no different than any other place the Hogs have been slaughtered during this most dire time for Razorback fans.

Bielema heads into a dangerous game this weekend and maybe a crossroad for him as the fan base will get nasty if the Razorbacks lose to the UAB Blazers because the program is supposed to have advanced way past the point of losing to non-SEC teams on its regular season schedule.

In spite of the product on the field, Ole Miss fans would be proud of the Razorback fans as they won the party, though.

The tailgating around War Memorial Stadium and in particular on the golf course was gargantuan. It was certainly one of the largest attended tailgate events ever at the stadium and easily exceeded 80,000 people. Many said it was the largest ever. It was epic to say in a word.

The tailgaters hit it hard and arrived early at the golf course. Traffic was a mess and snarled as people vied to find their space to party. A first for the golf course, a man was seen with two large snakes wrapped around him. Having a little port-a-potty camping tent thing they make now is also coming into vogue on the golf course. I cannot blame people as the port-a-potties provided by the city are limited and overwhelmed by such a large crowd that is out to celebrate like it's the Burning Man Festival.

The Razorback mascot arrived around 11 a.m. on Markham Street getting his police escort. A Georgia fan nearby was actually excited to see the Razorback mascot pass. It was kind of like a celebrity star sighting for him. He was probably more excited than the Razorback fans and was surprised by its size.

The team arrived 30 minutes early than has been the customary practice in the past of arriving two hours before the game. The players arrived around 12:30 p.m. catching many fans unaware. Their arrival was also fast blitzing down the street at a high rate of speed. I witnessed no fans going out into the street as all stayed on the sidewalk to avoid getting run over by the speeding buses.

The fast approach gave fans little to no time to greet the team out on Markham for their approach, and it was a light turnout to greet them. If the plan is to kill the tradition of fans going out onto the street and beating on the buses and yelling at the team like they are rock stars, it could not be executed any better.

The fans arrived in the stadium expecting a victory, yet once again were disappointed. The first drive brought the fans alive, but that was to be it.

Some fans had to pay an extortion fee of $100 to witness this debacle. The fans got to watch another serving of losing football with the always looming threat that all games will be pulled out of Central Arkansas.

If they are going to lose, they can do that just as easily in Fayetteville and make more money.

It's a shame the UA football program could not match the same level of excitement as seen on the golf course by the fans. Like a bad breakup where one is saying to the other, "it's not you, it's me," maybe it's time for Little Rock to tell the UA to stop coming instead of the other way around.




Send your tailgate stories to fromthebench@yahoo.com.

You do understand they charge $100 to make up for the money we lose by playing in WMS right?? I mean, WMS makes us PAY for a HOME game. Dumb article...

[RazorbackRon]

One thing I've never seen in Fayetteville, but have seen multiple times at WMS (and yes, I'm sure it still occurs in Fayetteville, I've just never seen it)

"Arkansas Razorback fans have given up winning football games and resorted to fighting each other."
http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/outkick-the-coverage/these-white-people-are-crazy-102014

Agree 100%.  The main reason I've come to dislike WMS games  (and yes I was there Sat).

As we were leaving the stadium Sat night, there was trash all over the golf course and my daughter saw an actual dumpster fire (fire trucks were just showing up as they walked by).

The WMS tailgate has become bigger than the game.

[ADavisTheGOAT]

Didn't read.

[Augustus]

Beat you by 12 seconds.  Are you Augustus the 3rd?  If so all credit to you since I found the link on one of your tweets.

HA! Great minds, and whatnot...

[hehawg]

And what did LR and WMS stadium deliver?

Oh wait they delivered this which is more embarrassing than any loss.  Most people viewing the video will think these are typical Razorback fans when in fact that they are just drunk white trash congregating on a golf course next to stadium that unfortunately was hosting a Razorback football game.

http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/outkick-the-coverage/these-white-people-are-crazy-102014

What did you view?

[Augustus]

Agree 100%.  The main reason I've come to dislike WMS games  (and yes I was there Sat).

As we were leaving the stadium Sat night, there was trash all over the golf course and my daughter saw an actual dumpster fire (fire trucks were just showing up as they walked by).

The WMS tailgate has become bigger than the game.

Oh God, the irony. 

Sorry if your daughter had to witness idiots acting like idiots.

[RazorbackRon]

Oh God, the irony. 

Sorry if your daughter had to witness idiots acting like idiots.

My 'kids' are in their mid-late 20's and were there with their husbands.  My other daughter saw two 'middle-aged white' guys get into a fight in the stands and get escorted out.  We all have season tickets in Fayetteville as well and like you said, it ma happen in RRS, but I just don't see it.

[hawgbawb]

I read it.  Hard to stay positive after that first half beat-down, but the team didn't quit. Hopefully the fans won't.

The Little Rock vs Fayetteville thing is silly. Time to retire WMS. It's a minor league venue that has lost its trepidation with opposing teams.

[Augustus]

My 'kids' are in their mid-late 20's and were there with their husbands.  My other daughter saw two 'middle-aged white' guys get into a fight in the stands and get escorted out.  We all have season tickets in Fayetteville as well and like you said, it ma happen in RRS, but I just don't see it.

Ah, gotcha.  Yeah, I grew up in LR, and grew up at WMS.  I didn't attend a Fayetteville game until my Senior year of HS, to also tour where I'd be going to School in the fall.

I still live in Central Ark, and have been to a games at WMS over the years. But, now? When I go to a Hogs game, I want to go to a Fayetteville game. To walk/re-visit the campus, to show my daughter (13) the campus, and avoid having to tell her "Just ignore them" as we walk past drunken idiots acting like idiots on the Golf Course.

WMS will always hold a place in my heart, but I'm not a 20-something year old, and Hogs games are more than just a party to me, now.

Just my opinion.

[Pigsknuckles]

I don't know if it was an insult as much as it was just sad.

True. It was a program statement by the national media. They tried generously to prop us up, but now we have fallen below the bottom in their eyes. 11:00AM Saturday, right?

[RazorbackRon]

True. It was a program statement by the national media. They tried generously to prop us up, but now we have fallen below the bottom in their eyes. 11:00AM Saturday, right?

Evidently you don't realize that the game time of 11am was set 6 days before the GA game was played.   You need to keep up more.

[Pigsknuckles]

Evidently you don't realize that the game time of 11am was set 6 days before the GA game was played.   You need to keep up more.

Ok, got me. Feel better now? Tell me though, just what will be the conversation be on the SEC Network that morning?

[BPsTheMan]

[WilsonHog]

A couple of things:

(1) if partying on the golf course is your big thing, you can do that without the Razorbacks in town. More room to pass out, too.

(2) if your thought after the game was, "Well, THAT wasn't worth $100," then you didn't need to spend that $100 to start with.

(3) when the Razorbacks are playing, I don't need a case of Schlitz, a guy with a snake around his neck, or two thirty-something fans with beer bellies wearing football jerseys and tossing a ball around like they actually play.

[Sir Oinksalot]

Haha good read billybob....you hit some of the major points Imo - in a sorta of cynical way.  Yes, I too
actually and for the first time really feel all the games should be taken out of LR as the "nouveau riche"
and latter-day carpetbaggers up there in NW Ark. have offered us a better way to live our lives...

They should all be moved to that beacon of hillbilly flashlight power and into the worlds greatest
outdoor movie theater and become like a comedic play, yes!, - like a "football globetrotter" ballet
before such feature presentations as "bridges of Madison county" as the new toothless aristocrats
watch the lil piggies feebly try to rewrite a script dictated by Birmingham and belly laugh at it all...

[Rey Pygsterio]

I think it is telling that in the Democrat-Gazette's Weekend Top 10 the Razorback game was third on the list of things to do behind Boo at the Zoo and Five Finger Death Punch.