Calling the Hogs

The BCS No. 6 Arkansas Razorbacks will play the BCS No. 8 Kansas State Wildcats in the Cotton Bowl at 7 p.m. Jan. 6 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

It's the Hogs' 39th bowl appearance and their 14th trip to the Cotton Bowl. The Razorbacks have played in 11 bowls during the last 14 seasons and gone bowling in three of Bobby Petrino's four seasons as Arkansas head coach.

"Our team looks forward to becoming part of the long-standing tradition the Razorbacks have with the Cotton Bowl,” Petrino said. “I am very proud to be the coach of this team, which has stuck together all season long and kept competing. The mentality our players have demonstrated is what has allowed us to accomplish all we have this year. We’ve enjoyed success in Cowboys Stadium and the hospitality and experience the Cotton Bowl provides gives our team a special opportunity to compete together one more time. I know this game will be highly anticipated by our fans and the support they will give the Razorbacks will once again be tremendous.”

The Razorbacks (10-2) and Kansas State (10-2) have not played each other since 1926 and the Wildcats own a 3-1 record against the Hogs.

"We are so very proud of the young men in our program and the courage they have shown this year, and we are very pleased to represent the Big 12 Conference in the AT&T Cotton Bowl," Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said. "The Cotton Bowl is a first-class bowl and organization and we appreciate Rick Baker and the entire bowl staff for their efforts and support of college football."

Kansas State has not won a bowl game since the 2002 Holiday Bowl, while the Razorbacks last bowl victory was the 2010 Liberty Bowl.

Tickets for the 2012 AT&T Cotton Bowl are on sale to donors and season ticket holders and the deadline for priority tickets is 5 p.m. Monday. Following the deadline, requests for tickets and seat locations will be filled by Razorback Foundation levels, based on lifetime giving, followed by season ticket customers and the general public. Fans with further questions may contact the Razorback Ticket Office at 800-982-HOGS.

Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson, who led the SEC in passing, said he is excited to make another trip to Arlington. The Razorbacks have played Texas A&M each of the last three seasons in Cowboys Stadium.

“I’m excited to play in such a great bowl in a great stadium," Wilson said. "We have experienced success in Cowboys Stadium the last three years, and it was great helping lead our team to a victory there earlier this season. Our fans have traveled well to Dallas, which always helps us, and we expect them to be down there cheering us on and helping create a great atmosphere. The Cotton Bowl has a prestigious history, and I am happy to have the chance to be a part of that.”

Senior defensive end Jake Bequette echoed Wilson's excitement.

“The Cotton Bowl is a highly respected bowl and one we are proud to get the chance to be part of," Bequette said. "My grandfather played in the Cotton Bowl and I was able to experience it during my redshirt season, so this is nice for my family. I remember watching the Cotton Bowl growing up, and it has always been special to me. I’m happy for the opportunity to spend another month with this team getting ready for the game and for the chance to play one more time with these guys. We are going to focus on being prepared and going down there with the intent to finish this season with a win.”

Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Athletics Director Jeff Long congratulated Petrino and the Razorbacks for their season.

"The University of Arkansas is thrilled to accept a bid to play in the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic following our second consecutive 10-win season," Long said. "Congratulations to Coach Bobby Petrino, our coaching staff and our football student-athletes on earning the opportunity to participate in one of college football's greatest postseason traditions. The Cotton Bowl has been an integral part of our program's history for more than six decades playing host to many unforgettable moments and memorable games. Based on the tremendous response from our fans and messages on my twitter account, it is clear the Razorback Nation is excited to return to the Cotton Bowl."

The Razorbacks won 10 games in the regular season for the ninth time in school history. The Razorbacks also went undefeated at home for the first time since 1999. UA enters the game leading the SEC in passing offense (307.8), total offense (445.8) and ranked second in the league in scoring offense (37.4).

The Razorbacks are 3-0 all-time in Cowboys Stadium with victories over Texas A&M in the Southwest Classic each of the last three seasons.

Since 1937, the AT&T Cotton Bowl has contributed more than $180 million to participating institutions. Each year, football fans attending the AT&T Cotton Bowl generate close to $30 million in economic impact for North Texas.