The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly

The Razorback Daily is a one-stop shop for everything fans need to know about the Hogs: the biggest stories, exclusive interviews and opinions on the most important news of the day. This new podcast is a game-changer for Arkansas fans, giving them the latest news and insights about the Hogs. Hosted by Chuck Barrett, every episode will be ready and waiting for fans first thing each morning. Coming Sept. 21.

She's one of the best players for a nationally ranked Arkansas women's soccer program. She's been named to an All-SEC First Team, and is a constant scoring threat. But Parker Goins almost didn't end up at Arkansas. Recruited by soccer powerhouse North Carolina—a program that's won 21 of 31 national titles—why did Goins choose the on-the-rise Razorbacks? Friendship played a key role there, as it does throughout her story. Goins only started playing soccer because she wanted to spend time with her friends. And since then, those friends have been by her side for all the big moments, both good and bad. Now a senior, Goins is ready to take the SEC by storm once again. And as always, her friends will be right there with her.

He's regarded as a special teams savant, and one of the hardest workers in the business. And he just so happens to be Sam Pittman's assistant head coach and special teams coordinator. Scott Fountain has been a part of four teams that have played for national titles, and has played a key role as a special teams coordinator for some unforgettable moments, including the "Kick Six." Along the way, he's coached alongside some of game's best coaches, including Bobby Bowden, Mark Richt, Gene Chizik and Kirby Smart. Fountain's career—one that began coaching high schoolers in his native Alabama—has led to him becoming one of the preeminent special teams coaches in the game. Now, it's worth asking: What does that mean for Arkansas? If it's true that "special teams wins championships," then hiring a guru is a good place to start.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.