FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas will host Ole Miss at War Memorial Stadium on Oct. 13, 2018, in what could be the Razorbacks' final game in Little Rock.
Arkansas' current contract with War Memorial Stadium expires after the 2018 season. The future of the Razorbacks in Little Rock grew more uncertain when Jeff Long was removed as athletic director on Nov. 15.
The 2018 football schedule was released by Arkansas in September without an indication of which game would be held in Little Rock. The current contract stipulates Arkansas must play an SEC opponent at the stadium next season.
The other home SEC dates on the schedule are Oct. 6 against Alabama, Oct. 27 against Vanderbilt and Nov. 10 against LSU. The Ole Miss game will be part of the stadium's 70th anniversary and will mark the 110-year anniversary of the first meeting between the two teams.
"We are thrilled to have an SEC game back at War Memorial next fall, especially one that pits the Razorbacks against Ole Miss," said Kane Webb, Arkansas Director of Parks and Tourism. "Given the tradition and decades-long rivalry the Hogs have had with the Rebels, including some great games in Little Rock, it's a fitting match-up as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the stadium. I look forward to a festive atmosphere, a great turnout, and a great time in the capital city."
"I am both excited and grateful that the leadership of the University of Arkansas has chosen our longtime rival Ole Miss as the game at War Memorial Stadium in 2018," said Kevin Crass, War Memorial Stadium Commission chairman. "As we celebrate the 70th year of the stadium, we need the fans in this part of the state to support the Hogs by assuring a sellout."
Arkansas has not played an SEC opponent at War Memorial since a 45-32 loss to Georgia in 2014. The Razorbacks have struggled in Little Rock under head coach Bret Bielema with losses to Georgia, Mississippi State and Toledo. Bielema's wins at the stadium were over Samford, Alcorn State and Florida A&M.
"We look forward to our return to central Arkansas to take on Ole Miss at War Memorial Stadium in October 2018," said Julie Cromer Peoples, interim athletics director. "I know Razorback fans will be excited and ready to cheer on our team in a key Southeastern Conference Western Division matchup. Arkansas and Ole Miss first met on the football field more than a century ago and we look forward to the next chapter in this rivalry, in a venue that has hosted so many important games in this series."
Arkansas currently leads the overall series 36-27-1. The record has been bolstered under Bielema despite his 11-28 record in the SEC and his 29-33 record overall.
The Razorbacks lost 34-24 to the Rebels in Oxford in Bielema's first season. Arkansas has beaten Ole Miss each of the past four seasons, with victories of 53-32, 34-30 and 38-37 in the last three years.
Sports on 11/23/2017