Finding the Silver Lining in the Razorback Losses
My first year as a Razorback in 2010 was one of highs and lows for our football team, albeit more highs than lows. However, looking back at all our losses, there was always a little light at the end of the tunnel. The light could be good, or it could be things we need to work on to be good.
The first game I went to was against Alabama in 2010. Entering the stadium for the first time and hearing the crowd call the Hogs got everyone pumped up – but not nearly as much as the touchdown Arkansas immediately scored.
The Hogs ended up with a loss to No. 1 Alabama that year, but we got that first touchdown. I’ve still never felt that much excitement in a football game, or in any sport event for that matter.
My favorite part of the touchdown was running over to my brother in the stands and him lifting me up while I was screaming. On paper it sounds weird, but that was the highlight of my freshman year.
What we learned overall from that game is that we can still end up being a good team even if we lose.
Then, in the same year, the Razorbacks traveled to Auburn to take on the soon-to-be National Champions. If you don’t remember, I’ll enlighten you – it resulted in the highest-scoring game of 108 points combined, Ryan Mallet getting injured, a controversial touchdown call that every Hog fan disagreed with and some kid named Tyler Wilson having a stand-out performance.
I still remember feeling robbed, but I remember even more that the Hog fans knew our next two years were in good hands – pun intended.
Although losses are never pretty to watch, they can always be great learning experiences – for the team and for fans.
Our most recent losses have taught us quite a few things.
First, we can’t rely on certain players to keep us in the game. So many of our players have been injured in our past three losses that it looks like at this rate the Hogs might be playing only second-string by the end of the season.
A lesson for fans is that they have to be supportive of the Hogs whether they are national champs or 1-4 in the first five games. The players need us to still believe in them.
The final lesson, for the team and all of its fans and supporters, is that we can’t get cocky. At the end of last year everyone was talking about how the Razorbacks were going to win the National Championship.
People thought that the trend would continue, but then a big smack of karma came the Hogs’ way and deflated their heads. Now the Hogs are really hoping to make a comeback and get to at least the Liberty Bowl.
The Razorbacks got cocky against ULM. I mean, they’re a nobody team, right? Not this year. ULM is giving everyone who plays the team a run for his money.
But now fans can take a few silver linings out of the losses. Tyler Wilson’s leadership is helping the Razorbacks to slowly get better and better. He’s got the passion down. The Brandons got some extra experience this season under pressure, which will hopefully set them up for next years season.
Sure, we haven’t yet figured out all of the good things that will come out of this season, and most likely we all feel like the Hogs will never be as good as last season. But it will come again. It will be okay.
Tamzen Tumlison is a staff writer for The Arkansas Traveler. Her column appears every other Wednesday. Follow the sports section on Twitter @UATravSports.
