NOTE:
This is a list of the top 20 most memorable games I attended. It is not
necessarily the most competitive games or most exciting games. Competitiveness
and excitement are factors that I considered, but the overriding factor is how
memorable the event was. Is it something I’ll remember in 10 years? Another key
is that these are games I actually attended in person, not watched on TV.
I
went to 213 sporting events last year. This is the second year I have kept a
“game journal” – where I write down the date of the event, who played, who won,
who I went with, where the game was and any other important information. I also
write down stats if a player has a big game and write how the game ended if it
was a particularly exciting finish.
As
you read this, I hope you feel inspired to go to more sporting events in 2015.
Whether it’s a high school football game, college basketball game, professional
golf tournament or even a little league baseball game, go to it with an open
mind.
The
reason I love going to games is because no matter what sport it is, no matter
what level of competition it is, there is always a chance for you to see
something you’ve never seen before.
Last
year, narrowing down a list of the top 20 memorable games was tough. This year,
it was nearly impossible.
I
could simply list every Springdale boys’ basketball game leading to its
appearance in the 7A state championship game and all of Arkansas football’s
close losses and call it good, but I went to many other memorable events this
year that have to be on the list.
Here
are my 20 most memorable games. Enjoy…
20.
September 26 – Fort Smith Northside @ Fayetteville
Just
a couple weeks after knocked off top-ranked North Little Rock, Fayetteville was
the No. 1 team in the state and hosting No. 3 Fort Smith Northside. A 24-point
second quarter gave the Bulldogs a 24-13 halftime lead, but the Grizzlies
pulled within 24-19 in the third quarter.
With
1:48 left, Northside scored a touchdown and converted a two-point conversion to
take a 27-24 lead. Fayetteville wouldn’t go away, though, returning the ensuing
kickoff to about the 25-yard line. However, after getting to the 4-yard line,
the Bulldogs threw an interception in the end zone on third-and-goal with less
than 30 seconds left to seal the win for the Grizzlies.
Making
the game better was the talent on both teams. Fayetteville had two Arkansas
commits (C.J. O’Grady and Dre Greenlaw), while Northside had one Arkansas
commit (Daytrieon Dean) and a Class of 2016 four-star recruit (Deontre
Hardwick).
19.
April 23 – Arizona Diamondbacks @ Chicago Cubs
This
was a good game, but it makes the list because of its historical significance –
it marked the 100th anniversary of the first game played at Wrigley Field. I
was able to talk my dad into going with me and he managed to secure field
passes from former Arkansas and current Cubs pitcher Blake Parker.
Before
the game started, we watched as Cubs legends (like Ernie Banks and Billy
Williams) and Chicago Bears legends (like Gale Sayers and Dick Butkus) were
honored only a few feet away.
Of
course, it was also a good game featuring an ending that perfectly summed up
the Cubs’ last 100+ years of existence. Leading 5-2 heading into the ninth
inning, the Cubs lost 7-5. Chicago’s closer couldn’t find the strike zone and
when he did, a potential game-ending double play ball hit the second base bag
and went into the outfield. The Diamondbacks took the lead on a blooper that
the right fielder dove for and did not come up with. It turned into a triple
and the right fielder was injured on the play. Typical Cubs.
18.
May 11 – No. 20 Texas A&M @ Arkansas
Although
Arkansas came up on the wrong end of it, this was a classic back-and-forth
baseball game. Texas A&M led by three runs before the Razorbacks tied it up
in the sixth inning and took a one-run lead in the seventh.
The
Aggies regained the lead with a two-run ninth inning, but again, Arkansas was
able to tie it up in the home half of the ninth and force extra innings.
Arkansas had a chance to win the game, but Jake Wise, Arkansas’ lone senior
playing on senior night, popped up with runners on second and third.
Texas
A&M got a lead-off home run in the 10th, but Arkansas responded by loading
the bases with no outs. However, after Andrew Benintendi and Brian Anderson
struck out, Eric Fisher flew out to give the Aggies a 6-5 10-inning win.
17.
January 21 – Springdale @ Springdale Har-Ber
As
I mentioned above, the entire Springdale boys’ basketball season was one
heart-attack finish after another. The Bulldogs were clearly better than the crosstown
rival Wildcats, but Har-Ber led by two points in the third quarter.
Springdale
quickly erased that lead, going on a 12-0 run en route to a 62-58 win. The
victory came despite the Bulldogs making just 13 of 28 free throws.
What
really earned this game a spot on my list was the atmosphere. The
Har-Ber/Springdale game always has a rowdy crowd with large student sections
and this game was no different. It was awesome.
16.
November 1 – Arkansas @ No. 1 Mississippi State
The
2014 college football season was significant because it was the first season to
feature a playoff at the end of the year. The CFP rankings were not released
until the week leading up to this game and Mississippi State earned the first
ever No. 1 CFP ranking.
Arkansas
came into Starkville, Miss., and nearly crushed the Bulldogs’ national
championship hopes, taking an early 10-0 lead. Mississippi State battled back
and tied the game in the third quarter before taking a 17-10 lead on a 69-yard
touchdown pass thanks to a busted coverage.
The
Razorbacks had two chances to tie the game, but came up short both times. After
a 17-play, 72-yard drive that lasted 8 minutes and 16 seconds, Arkansas failed
to convert on fourth-and-goal at the 3-yard line. Then, Arkansas marched down
to the 16-yard line before throwing an interception in the end zone with 15
seconds left. It was Arkansas’ 17th consecutive SEC loss.
It
was also an amazing atmosphere. The cowbells were incredible and super loud. I
was impressed with how well the Mississippi State fans obeyed the rules (no
cowbell during plays).
15.
April 26 – Auburn @ No. 24 Arkansas
Unlike
the Texas A&M game, the Razorbacks came out on top in this extra inning
game.
After
Josh Alberius collected his first career hit as a pinch-hitter in the 10th
inning, Tyler Spoon knocked him in with a walk-off single. The Razorbacks won
4-3.
Arkansas
played in several one-run games (most ending in 2-1 scores) in 2014, but it did
not win many of them.
14.
September 27 – Arkansas vs. No. 6 Texas A&M
I
almost looked like a genius because of this game. Arkansas, riding a long SEC
losing streak, seemed overmatched against the top-10 Aggies, but I was the only
sportswriter in the NWA Media newspapers to pick the Razorbacks.
Arkansas
had a 28-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but a pair of Texas A&M
touchdowns sandwiched around an Arkansas missed field goal tied the game and
forced overtime. The Aggies scored on their first play of overtime, and then
stopped Arkansas on a fourth-and-one to win the game 35-28.
Before
the Razorbacks’ choke job, the game was already memorable because of Sam
Irwin-Hill’s 51-yard touchdown run just before halftime. How often do you get
to see a punter do that?
13.
June 29 – Walmart NW Arkansas Championship – Final Round
This
was the second year in a row that I went to the LPGA tournament in Rogers, but
it was definitely more memorable in 2014.
Stacy
Lewis, one of the best female golfers in the world and former Arkansas
standout, finally won her hometown tournament with a birdie on the final hole.
Because I was covering the tournament for NWA Media, I was able to stand right
behind the green as Lewis hit her approach and made her final putt to win. It
was incredible because there was a large crowd and several Hog Calls.
I
also got to see Michelle Wie play, but she struggled in the final round after
being in contention heading into the last day.
12.
January 11 – No. 10 Florida @ Arkansas
Arkansas
has been extremely hard to beat at Bud Walton Arena, but that just what the
Gators did. The loss snapped the Razorbacks’ 23-game home winning streak.
It
seemed like Arkansas would pull off the upset, but Alandise Harris missed the
front end of a 1-and-1 with 17.1 seconds left with Arkansas up 66-64. The miss
allowed Florida’s Scottie Wilbekin to go down the court and hit a game-tying
runner.
The
Gators ended up winning 84-82, largely because they made 10-of-14 free throws
in the overtime period. The Razorbacks had a chance to win, or at least tie it
up, at the end of the overtime, but missed a shot after not calling a timeout.
11.
November 8 – Lamar @ Central Arkansas
During
Arkansas’ two bye weeks, I went to UCA football games because my girlfriend is
in the Bears’ marching band. Both games were pretty good, but the game against
Lamar on UCA’s purple and silver turf was particularly exciting.
UCA
led 31-24 after three quarters and 38-27 early in the fourth quarter. Lamar
scored a touchdown (and didn’t convert a two-point try) to pull within 38-33
and UCA answered with a field goal with 2:20 left to go up 41-33.
Lamar
wouldn’t go away, though, as it scored a touchdown and converted a two-point
try to tie the game and force overtime with 40 seconds left. UCA won 44-41 with
a 25-yard field goal by former Razorback Eddie Camara after Lamar fumbled on
its first overtime possession.
With
that much scoring, it’s not surprising that there were several impressive stat
lines. Lamar quarterback Caleb Berry completed 43 of 67 passes for 554 yards
and four touchdowns, but he also had a pair of interceptions. His No. 1 target
was Reggie Begelton, who caught 13 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns.
10.
December 29 – Arkansas vs. Texas
The
last game I saw in 2014 was Arkansas’ glorious 31-7 beat down of Texas in the
Texas Bowl.
It
was far from competitive, but it was definitely a game I’ll remember for a long
time. The Razorbacks’ defense was unbelievable, holding the Longhorns to just
59 yards of offense (with 29 of those coming on their final drive against
backups). That is the fewest yards in a single game by an FBS team all season.
There
was a stretch of the game in which Texas had -19, -8, -7, -2, and -4 yards on
five straight possessions. In those possessions, Texas was limited to -40 yards
on 13 plays. Arkansas held the ball for 41:10, compared to Texas’ 18:50.
I
don’t know if I’ve ever seen a more dominant defensive performance, at any
level.
9.
January 4 – Springdale @ Fayetteville
Don’t
judge me for having a high school girls’ basketball game in my top 10 most
memorable games of the year. In a nonconference battle between the two
traditional rivals, Springdale knocked off Fayetteville 44-43 in overtime to
win third place at the Bulldog Classic in the Purple ‘Dogs’ gym.
The
fact that the game got to overtime was incredible. The Red ‘Dogs trailed by six
points with 45 seconds left, but back-to-back 3-pointers by JaVonda Daniels and
Kierra Lang tied it up and forced the extra period.
In
overtime, Springdale trailed again, down 43-40 with 1:26 left. But again, the
Red ‘Dogs fought back and Chasidee Owens made the game-winning layup with 24
seconds left.
8.
February 8 – Arkansas @ Vanderbilt
Because
I was in Nashville for a college sports journalism conference, I was able to
watch Arkansas play Vanderbilt in famous Memorial Gymnasium. The gym was super
weird, but I loved it.
The
game itself was pretty incredible, too. There were 14 lead changes, including
three in the final 30 seconds. Michael Qualls’ 3-pointer with 2.6 seconds left
gave Arkansas the 77-75 win. The Commodores nearly won the game, but Rod Odom’s
3-pointer at the buzzer missed, despite the good look.
7.
November 20 – Conway @ Bentonville
Yes,
I have TWO girls’ high school basketball games in my top 10 most memorable
games of the year. In all honesty, if it weren’t for all of the amazing games I
had already attended, this game would be ranked even higher.
I
really wanted to watch Malik Monk in the boys’ game, but I decided to get there
for the girls’ game because of Conway’s Jordan Danberry, an Arkansas commit. I
was not disappointed.
The
Wampus Cats held a small lead most of the game, but a 11-4 run by the Tigers
gave Bentonville a 77-71 lead with 32 seconds left. That was enough time for
Conway to hit a pair of 3-pointers, Bentonville make 2 of 4 free throws and
Conway make two free throws to force overtime.
Bentonville
controlled the early part of the overtime period, but a shot by Danberry put
Conway up for good with 1:02 left. The Wampus Cats won 92-89 in possibly the
highest-scoring high school game, boys or girls, that I’ve ever seen.
Danberry
also scored the last five points of regulation (one 3-pointer and both free
throws). She finished with 37 points in one of the more impressive high school
performances I’ve seen.
6.
December 6 – Fayetteville vs. Bentonville
For
the fourth time in five years, Bentonville and Fayetteville met in Little Rock
for the 7A state championship. It was a classic.
The
Tigers led 17-7 heading into the third quarter, but a pair of touchdowns in the
fourth quarter gave the Bulldogs a 21-17 lead with 3:05 left.
That
was plenty of time for Bentonville, as the Tigers marched down the field and
won the game on a 6-yard touchdown run by Dylan Smith with 26 seconds left.
5.
January 24 – Springdale @ Fayetteville
When
you thought Springdale was dead in 2014, that usually just meant it had you right
where it wanted. The rivalry game against Fayetteville was no different.
Fayetteville
led by seven points with a little over a minute left before Springdale cut it
to five with 1:01 left. The Purple ‘Dogs couldn’t handle the Red ‘Dogs’
full-court pressure or make free throws, allowing Springdale to get back into
it.
Tereke
Eckwood’s and-one layup and free throw with 23 seconds left gave Springdale a
55-54 lead and capped a 32.7-second span in which he scored nine points. After
a missed 3-pointer by Fayetteville, the Red ‘Dogs knocked down a pair of free
throws to win 57-54.
4.
November 15 – No. 17 LSU @ Arkansas
LSU
was ranked No. 20 by the Associated Press (the poll the media usually uses)
heading into the game, but was No. 17 in the College Football Playoff rankings.
For the sake of symmetry, I use the CFP ranking for this game.
The
Razorbacks’ snapped a 17-game SEC losing streak with a 17-0 win over No. 17
LSU. As a numbers guy, it doesn’t get much more beautiful than that.
The
game itself was dominated by Arkansas. The Tigers gained only 123 yards of
offense, their fewest in a game since 1975. Leonard Fournette, the No. 1
running back recruit in 2014, was held to just nine yards on five carries.
It
was the Razorbacks’ first shutout since 2006, first conference shutout since
2002 and first shutout win against LSU since 1929.
All
of those stats are great, but the best part of the game came after the clock
ran out. I was on the field standing by the Golden Boot when the Arkansas
players rushed over to the trophy. I was engulfed in the chaos and made my way
to midfield, where fans stormed the field and celebrated.
Here
is the video I shot for WholeHogSports during the postgame celebration.
3.
December 12 – Smackover vs. Charleston
You
might think I’m crazy for putting the 3A state title game ahead of the 7A title
game, but hear me out.
Charleston
entered the game as the defending state champion and on a 28-game winning
streak. Smackover, on the other hand, had a 13-game winning streak after losing
its first game to eventual 2A state champion Junction City.
The
game was back-and-forth much of the night, but the Buckaroos led 20-13 at the
half and the Tigers seemed unable to handle Smackover’s speed.
However,
led by Arkansas quarterback signee Ty Storey, Charleston was tied the game up
at 26-26 late in the third quarter. The Buckaroos appeared to be marching down
the field to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, but a fumble gave the
Tigers the ball at the 45-yard line with five minutes left.
At
that point, Storey took over. He had nine consecutive carries, gaining 51 yards
and reaching the 4-yard line. Storey capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown
pass with 17 seconds left. Smackover reached the Tigers’ 34-yard line, but a
Hail Mary fell incomplete to give Charleston a 33-26 win.
It
was an unbelievable performance by Storey. The four-star recruit completed 24 of
38 passes for 218 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 35 times for 153 yards
and two touchdowns. He accounted for all five of Charleston’s touchdowns and
all but 17 yards of the Tigers’ offense. To put a cherry on top of it all, he
had a tackle and pass breakup on defense late in the game.
Smackover
also had a future Razorback on its team in wide receiver Jordan Jones. The 2016
Arkansas commit caught four passes for 137 yards and a touchdown.
2.
January 28 – Bentonville @ Springdale
I
could sit here and tell you all about this game, but I already have. Click here
to read my blog post about it just hours after the game ended.
Needless
to say, Malik Monk is a special player and I’m glad I can say I’ve seen him
play.
1.
January 14 – No. 12 Kentucky @ Arkansas
The
two-week span of basketball from Jan. 14 to Jan. 28 will be hard to top. My No.
2 memorable game of 2014 ended the span and my No. 1 memorable game started it,
but in between, my No. 5 and No. 17 memorable games happened. I was in
basketball heaven.
I
bet most people already know what game this is, but I’ll remind those of you
that don’t: Michael Qualls.
Of
course, there was more to it than that. Alandise Harris’ and-one with 9.5
seconds left gave Arkansas a three-point lead in regulation, but Kentucky’s
Andrew Harrison knocked down a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left to force
overtime.
During
the extra period, Qualls knocked down two free throws with 26.7 seconds left to
give the Razorbacks another three-point lead, but this time Kentucky’s James
Young hit a 3-pointer with about 10 seconds left to tie it up.
When
Ky Madden’s 3-pointer was off the mark, the game seemed headed for a second
overtime… Then Qualls soared above everyone with a put-back dunk with
two-tenths of a second left. I was speechless in the stands.
The
play was the No. 1 play on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays and I didn’t think it
would ever be duplicated… but Qualls had a nearly identical dunk to give the
Red a 99-98 win in the Red-White game nine and a half months later.
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I
applaud you for making it through my entire list. I do this partly so people
can read about these incredible games and partly so I can look back on it in
the future.
I
also hope this list will inspire you to go to more games in 2015. When you’re
bored and have nothing else to do, go to a local high school game. Plan a trip
with your buddies to go to a game or two.
Don’t
have anyone to go with? Just ask me. I hardly ever turn down a good opportunity
to go to a sporting event.
Happy
New Year and may your 2015 be full of buzzer-beaters, walk-offs and Hail Mary
passes.
If you'd like to read it, here is my top 20 memorable games from 2013: click here.
