Finale not much fun for Pinkel
FAYETTEVILLE — Gary Pinkel’s last game as Missouri’s coach could have gone worse.
At least the Tigers weren’t shut out.
Arkansas beat Missouri 28-3 Friday at Reynolds Razorback Stadium as the Tigers finished 5-7, including 1-7 in SEC play.
Pinkel, 63, is resigning after 15 seasons at Missouri and a school-record 118 victories to focus on his treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of cancer that affects the immune system.
“This is the only moment I’ve been thinking about it,” Pinkel said after the game when asked about Friday being his finale. “I love coaching, man. Are you kidding me?
“I feel so honored that I could serve kids and got a chance to do what I love to do. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.”
Pinkel said he’ll continue to live in Columbia, Mo., and be there for his players. He’s expected to continue working for the athletic department in some capacity.
“I’m looking forward to that next chapter, whatever that is going to be,” he said. “I feel like I can be significant in helping people. I feel like I can be an asset to the university. I love Mizzou.”
Pinkel said whoever replaces him will take over a solid program, despite this season’s struggles. The Tigers won back-to-back SEC East titles in 2013 and 2014, going a combined 23-5.
“Just a lot of talent here,” he said. “A lot of great things are going to happen at Mizzou.”
Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema spoke with Pinkel for several minutes during pregame warm-ups.
“As far as being in that game with Coach Pinkel, I had a couple of good words with him before the game,” Bielema said. “I’m very, very appreciative of everything he’s brought the game, and I want to wish him nothing but the best as he moves forward.
“We’re with him in 100 percent support here at Arkansas.”
Liberty for Hogs?
Two Liberty Bowl representatives, executive director Steve Ehrhart and associate executive director Harold Graeter, attended Friday’s game.
“We’re very excited about the opportunity for Arkansas,” Ehrhart said.
The Liberty Bowl will match an SEC team against a Big 12 team at 2:20 p.m. Jan. 2 — a Saturday — in Memphis. ESPN will televise the game.
“That’s a primo date and time,” Ehrhart said. “We fought with all the other bowls and won that one to be on Saturday afternoon.”
Ehrhart said Arkansas and the Liberty Bowl are good fits for each on several accounts: Memphis is a close drive for Razorbacks’ fans, it’s been six years since Arkansas’ last appearance in Memphis and it’s a key SEC recruiting area.
“Everything seems to line up,” Ehrhart said.
Ultimately, where SEC teams play in bowls will be determined by the conference office in
consultation with the schools.
Arkansas has played in the Liberty Bowl four times, most recently in 2010 when the Razorbacks beat East Carolina 20-17 in overtime.
Reed OK
Arkansas receiver Dominique Reed suffered a right ankle injury in the second half, but Coach Bret Bielema said the injury doesn’t appear to be serious. Bielema said Reed should be ready to play in the Razorbacks’ bowl game.
Reed had four catches for 37 yards before getting hurt.
J-Will dresses out
Tailback Jonathan Williams, who hasn’t played this season after suffering a broken foot in August during a scrimmage, dressed out Friday so he could be introduced along with the other seniors.
Williams has accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl.
“I suggested to him that he put the uniform on and jog out,” Coach Bret Bielema said. “I think that’s the memory he’ll want in those pictures 10, 15, 20 years from now.
“I’m not saying he was smiling ear to ear, but there was a big grin under his face mask when he was going to jog out on the field one more time, and then he broke down, too.
“He’s got a bright future, man. However it’s going to pan out, I’d bet a lot of money on him.”
Sort-of seniors
Offensive linemen Cordale Boyd and Reeve Koehler are a junior and a sophomore, eligibility-wise, but both were introduced with the Arkansas seniors.
Coach Bret Bielema said Koehler, who redshirted, is graduating in three years and may become a police officer. Bielema said he has talked to Boyd, who is graduating, about returning next season.
“I’d love to have him back, but I think he wanted to look into his opportunities,” Bielema said. “So we’ll help him do that.”
Mr. First Down
Arkansas junior tight end Hunter Henry had two receptions for 28 yards Friday, extending his streak of games with at least one catch to 22.
Both of his receptions Friday resulted in first downs, as have 32 of his 46 catches this season.
Sacks piling up
Razorbacks junior defensive end Deatrich Wise had two sacks Friday, giving him seven in his last four games.
West best again
Arkansas completed the SEC West’s domination of the East this season.
The Razorbacks victory over Missouri improved the West to 12-2.
Arkansas did its part by sweeping Tennessee and Missouri.
The East’s only victories over the West were Florida beating Ole Miss 38-10 and Georgia beating Auburn 20-13.
The West holds a 22-6 advantage over the East the past two seasons.