The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly

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BONUS: Arkansas' Covid-19 Response Sep 04, 2020

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Dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic has become part of everyday life. And its impact on sports has been undeniable, with cancellations and postponements of major events and leagues dominating the headlines. And just like any other college or university with an eye on playing football—and other sports—this fall, the University of Arkansas has taken steps to make its student-athletes, coaches and staff members as safe as possible. In this bonus episode of the podcast, we catch up with Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yurachek to find out what the Razorbacks are doing, and how he's handling the pandemic as a leader. And to get better insight into what steps the athletic department is taking, you'll also hear from team doctors Chris Arnold and Kent Hagan.

76. Rakeem Boyd: Comeback Kid Sep 02, 2020

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Arkansas has a long history of producing great running backs. And Rakeem Boyd is no exception. His career average of 6.17 yards per carry would rank second in school history among running backs, behind only Felix Jones. And only three running backs in Arkansas history rushed for more yards through their first two seasons than Boyd: Dickey Morton, Alex Collins and Darren McFadden. The McFadden comparisons come naturally: Boyd wears his No. 5, and has made no secret of the fact that he wants to be like one of the all-time greats. So how did Boyd end up trying to chase down Arkansas' rushing records? When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, he and his family were evacuated and relocated to Houston. And it was only then when he started to play football. He would head to Texas A&M, but had to leave after a redshirt year because of poor grades. That led him to Independence Community College and Last Chance U. And after a starring turn at the JUCO, Boyd is making a name for himself at the top level of college football.

75. Anthony Lucas: Overcoming Obstacles Aug 26, 2020

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Anthony Lucas was ahead of his time. The talented receiver made big play after big play and rewrote the Arkansas record books in the late '90s. Those records would stand until the age of wide-open offense came to college football. And yet he still holds the career record for most 100-yard receiving games. He's one of the greats. But how much did he have to overcome to get there? Lucas didn't have a good enough ACT score to qualify out of high school. But instead of going the JUCO route, he went ahead and enrolled at Arkansas, focusing on his grades. When he got on the field a year later, he made an impact. But the good times wouldn't last: Lucas suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first game of his sophomore season. And to top it off, his coach got fired. But Anthony Lucas isn't the type who wants pity. Instead, he got to work. And he became one of the best receivers in school history, responsible for countless fan-favorite moments.

74. Ken Hamlin: Almost Losing It All Aug 19, 2020

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Ken "The Hammer" Hamlin definitely earned his nickname. Hamlin was a nightmare for opposing wide receivers, who knew that if they ventured into Hamlin's part of the field, they better brace for impact. He was an incredible athlete who found success at Arkansas, where he left as the school's all-time tackles leader and was beloved by fans for his hard hits and energy. After leaving the Razorbacks following his junior season, he would become a second-round draft pick by the Seahawks, and would go on to make the 2007 Pro Bowl. But just because you're known as "The Hammer" doesn't mean you're invincible. And that's something Hamlin knows all too well. How did he almost lose everything one night outside a Seattle nightclub? And how did that one night help him change his life forever?

73. Keith Burns: Code Red Aug 12, 2020

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1998 was an exciting year for Razorback fans. Led by first-year coach Houston Nutt, the Hogs put a much-needed jolt of excitement into the fan base. A big part of that was Arkansas' Code Red defense, led by first-year coordinator Keith Burns. But Code Red was more than a scheme—it was a way of life. And Burns was the perfect guy to lead it. For Burns, his passion for the Razorbacks began during his playing career under Lou Holtz in the early '80s. That passion is what led him to leave USC and join Nutt's staff at Arkansas. And for two seasons, Burns and the Razorback defense didn't back down from anyone. So how did it all come together and form a perfect storm that terrorized SEC offenses? It was the right coach in the right place at the right time.

72. Rion Rhoades: From JUCO to the SEC Aug 05, 2020

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Junior college football is the place where urban legends are born. Some of the best—past and present—went to a JUCO, including guys like Aaron Rodgers, Warren Moon and Cam Newton. And while JUCO football was brought more into the mainstream by the Netflix series "Last Chance U," it isn't exactly glamorous. Just ask new Arkansas linebackers coach Rion Rhoades. Rhoades spent the past 14 seasons as a JUCO head coach, including 13 years at Hutchinson Community College. He's seen it all. But how does a lifelong JUCO coach fit in at Arkansas, where he's getting his first taste of the Power 5 level? And how have the fires he's dealt with at the JUCO level prepared him for what he calls a dream job?

71. How Arkansas Joined the SEC Jul 29, 2020

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Thirty years ago, something happened that would change the course of Arkansas athletics forever—the Razorbacks left the Southwest Conference for the SEC. It's a move that has been a boon for the Razorbacks—not only did they join what's become the best conference in collegiate athletics, but the financial benefits have allowed Arkansas to be nationally competitive with some of the best facilities in the country. But the move didn't happen overnight. It took thought, planning and vision from legendary Razorback athletic director Frank Broyles. Without him, who knows where Arkansas might've ended up? So how did everything come together? What were those meetings between Arkansas and the SEC like? And what made the Razorbacks attractive to a league looking to expand? In this episode, former SEC commissioner Roy Kramer takes us back to how it all happened… with the help of archived audio from the late Frank Broyles.

70. Get to Know: David Patrick Jul 22, 2020

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Basketball has taken David Patrick all over the world—literally. Born in Bermuda, Patrick grew up in Australia, where he discovered the game that would change his life. A high school move to America helped him catch the eye of coaches, and he would be part of a Final Four team at Syracuse before transferring to Louisiana-Lafayette to finish his college career. Then, it was on to a pro career that would take him to Australia, England and Spain. But along the way, he never had plans on being a coach. So how did a $5,000 job launch the career of one of the top recruiters in the country? He's landed players like Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova and Ben Simmons. And after leaving his first head coaching job, he has his sights set on helping Eric Musselman build the Razorback basketball program. It's time to get to know Arkansas assistant David Patrick.

69. Tyler Wilson Jul 15, 2020

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Tyler Wilson was always talented. He set records in high school as a quarterback and pitcher at Greenwood High School. Then, he came to Arkansas and rewrote the record books. After playing briefly as a true freshman in 2008, Wilson sat for two years behind Ryan Mallett, but burst onto the scene against Auburn in 2010 after an injury to the starter. And then in 2011, he quarterbacked Arkansas to its first 11-win season since 1977, and entered 2012 as one of the top QBs in the country. And though things went sideways quickly for the Razorbacks in Wilson's senior season, he still left Arkansas as one of the best to ever do it. But it almost didn't happen. How did one of the best quarterbacks in school history almost never suit up for the Hogs? How does he look back on that fateful 2012 season? And does he still have lingering doubts that he picked the right sport?

BONUS: Shauna Taylor, Maria Fassi & Gaby Lopez Jul 10, 2020

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Under head coach Shauna Taylor, the Arkansas women's golf program has become one of the most successful teams on campus. Two of the biggest reasons why? Gaby Lopez and Maria Fassi. Though both hail from Mexico, Arkansas quickly became a second home. First for Lopez, who would win three times in college and become a two-time All-American, and has since won twice on the LPGA Tour. And then for Fassi, who would help the Razorbacks win their first SEC title in 2018 and then win the NCAA individual title in 2019 in Fayetteville, all while becoming the first two-time winner of the Annika Award—the Heisman Trophy of women's golf. With Taylor's guidance and Lopez and Fassi setting the standard, this is a program that's risen to be one of the best in college golf. How'd it happen? Find out as Taylor chats with Lopez and Fassi in this bonus episode of the podcast.

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