Arkansas vs. #17 LSU 2002: The Miracle on Markham

Highlights of the 2002 Battle of the Boot which was also a battle for the SEC West Division Title. The Hogs would trail the #17 Tigers 20-14 with 34 seconds left, but Matt Jones would lead a three-play 81-yard drive and would hit DeCori Birmingham for a 31-yard touchdown with nine seconds left to give Arkansas the 21-20 win. The victory gave the Razorbacks their first trip to Atlanta since 1995.

[@randycoger2525]

LSU and the Razorbacks had some of the best games on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I cannot not believe the SEC took this game off that schedule. The flavor of this game was lost forever from that point on.

[@sarichey1]

I was there in the LSU section ( only tickets we could get) and it sucked for 3 quarters. Couldn't believe we pulled it out. No way that final extra point went through but I'll take it.

[@MustyChalupa]

Now they have us in that “rivalry” with the team that should be relegated out of the sec

[@charcoalcowboy]

And we keep losing to damn Missouri

[@douglasdixon524]

The game with LSU is so much more important since we're both in the SEC West at this time. The "buttwipe rivalry" that's being pushed on us just doesn't have the meaning or emotional value.

[@ChristopherDavis2]

I was there for this game!!! Oh my, it was such an unbelievable game!! Loved every second:)

[@larrylong2402]

This was the last game my Dad was able to attend. Good one to go out on!!

[@kbrown1054]

I agree . I was there with my big bro. Everyone started to leave and I stood up and said "the sun is coming out, don't leave now". And then we hit an 80 yard run and Matt Jones drove Us down to get the game winning TD pass. Unbelievable

[@Yeldineyintun]

Dude. My roommate asked what I was watching and I told him and he said “that was the last game I watched w my dad” then I saw this comment.

[@larrylong2402]

@@Yeldineyintun Wow!

[@roberthouseholder7633]

My step-dad was not a football fan, but we watched this game. As soon as it was over, I called my grandpa and said "WE'RE GOING TO ATLANTA!!!!!!!"

[@williambrown7658]

Talley may be the most underrated Razorback in history

[@jonathandavis3312]

Cobbs got all the glory because he was such a highly touted recruit but he was always injured and Talley never skipped a beat.

[@derrickennemer5050]

@@jonathandavis3312 You seriously gonna act like cobbs wasnt a beast. Love Talley, cause dude balled and was barely 5'9.

[@sedtalley9216]

Facts

[@impala_life]

Talley was my favorite

[@charcoalcowboy]

Ooh that’s a tough one. We’ve had many great backs over the course of our history let alone since 2000

[@tannershortnacy7324]

Reminiscing today about my first college game. Man what a great one to get me hooked

[@17mrboss]

I'm glad to see some razorback fans still exist and didn't hop on the bandwagon train WPS till I die

[@CodyCrowe94]

My first razorback football game. My dad and I were in the endzone where it was cought. We were on the other side of the endzone so we didn't see the catch. We just heard the crowds reaction and we went crazy :) and we were surrounded by LSU fans, screaming LSwho. Great memories from my childhood

[@kalanhitchens8782]

I was in the same end zone

[@kirkstringer3139]

You Just can't beat these highlights... I went to High School with #32 Decori Birmingham - ATL class of 2000 & #43 Dallas Washington - ATL class of 2004 the same year I too graduated from Atlanta, Texas where we were called The Atlanta Rabbits always have been & always will be. Atlanta has seen its one and only state championship win in 2004... Also, played in one other way back in 1994 vs Sealy in the Astrodome but lost pretty bad. We also won 3 state track and field titles in a row from 2001 to 2004.

[@fudgenuggets405]

I live in Texas now and have kids in track. Winning a state championship in track is just as impressive as football in this state. To win 3 in a row is unreal.

[@devlonchandler9687]

Heard that crowd from my house by the Children's Hospital...LOUD !!!

[@wutsit2yuhhuh246]

That's amazing haha. Love being a razorback fan.

[@tannershortnacy7324]

I tore my vocal cords screaming

[@BentonPanther79]

So weird to see two 3 loss teams playing for an SEC West crown. Times have changed for sure.

[@dbs3023]

Not really two teams that had two losses made it to the college football tournament at the end of the year for the top bowl games last being the championship. This can Still happen and the sec could have every spot filled we have gotten close with 2 out 4 teams so fare with the new system to get into the old bcs bowl games. If it happen with the old system that can happen again easily seeing how teams have gotten in with 2 loses to a top 4 bowl games and a chance at the championship game

[@cabinboy296]

Cudder str8 legend Go to bed.

[@JohnnyBallgame88]

It was that way because Alabama was on probation that year

[@WARMACHINE2013]

@@heatherphillips5983 No, Bama would have went had they not been on probation. They went 10-3 overall and 6-2 in SEC play and blew Arkansas and LSU out that year who both finished 5-3.

[@cliftonthomas2609]

I had to watch this to get ready for the 2021 Season. I was there for the Miracle on Markem. Go Hogs!!

[@darrellsmith7963]

arkansas wps till I die. I was born and bread from arkansas. I love my hogs

[@charleshughes9396]

Darrell Smith i love them hogs too,their bacon,ham and pork chops taste really good😁😁😁

[@charleshughes9396]

Don't take it seriously Darrell its just a joke

[@lukaskrouse9554]

I was born the day of this game. My moms gynaecologist was a huuuuge LSU fan and was so fixated on the game while trying to deliver me that my mom kept having to remind him that she was in labor😂😭

[@SpanHog]

that disgusted Saban face is priceless!

[@Rednick69]

Was at work and it was on the TVs at the bar. Good memories.

[@tgc93]

Bizarre to think of an 8-3 SEC team not ranked in the top 25 these days lol

[@alohawg]

+Tyrone Crawford Both teams were 8-3 going into that game, LSU ranked #17 and Ark unranked.....smh, ridiculous.

[@dbs3023]

Shows that the sec is packed with good teams and shows that u could end up like Arkansas did, it’s from pure talent GO hogs! Happy we won today but scares me the kicker really won the game with a 50 yrd goal that we had to have against A shit team hope we were just cold that night or played back ups and from the stats everyone got at least one touch and to think we should have auburns head coach all over a damn quarterback :( I’m haunted by that and the game that Ryan mallet got a concussion and Tyler Wilson came in and almost beat top 10 Auburn with scam Newton as their QB .

[@hickrystyk]

I love it when Saban loses

[@harperfox1029]

This still gives me the chills 🥶

[@christopherdavis5402]

Gosh these were the days, having Matt Jones as QB! I was there for this game… let me tell you man, I loved it!

[@scottymatlock6799]

What a classic. Damn I loved matt jones. Imagine if we could have had matt Jones with dmac,hillis,and felix jones. Wow. That might be the best rushing combination in all of football history.

[@aaronjohnson799]

Literally just run read options every snap

[@Qwilli501]

Razorback football at its finest!

[@chrisuncleahmad]

I felt this was the football gods evening things up after the Bluegrass Miracle.

[@g-dogmoney]

My girlfriend at the time wanted to go shopping so I obliged...we were at Sears at the exact moment the play happened walking into the store...you could hear the noise of the crowd it was so loud...

[@WARMACHINE2013]

Man that sucks. I don't know if I would have ever forgiven her if I was you haha.

[@FaintAura]

"At the time" haha

[@g-dogmoney]

Your making this comment now? Talking about needing to grow a pair, but you need brains not balls.

[@Shindler39]

Saturday during the Fall is all about College Football

[@stevo306]

The lsu female cheerleader on Talley's run always makes me laugh she was hating it 😂

[@k0ntr0musicOfficial]

still get chills watching that

[@olskool501]

Hard to believe in 2002 TV was this hard to see. Where was 4k when you needed it

[@drjay95]

you gotta love anything that pi**es off Saban...

[@ronnieowensby787]

Everything 💯 go vols!

[@michaelsebourn3425]

om a true fan we have suffered for a long time since the stupid firing petrino

[@charcoalcowboy]

If Houston Nutt is giving someone a hug at the end of the game, you know it’s an Arkansas win

[@chriscordero1051]

The fact that they call an excessive celebration penalty on this type of winning play is still a dark time in college football.

[@carydonnell8323]

Saban's reaction at 07:50.

[@cliftonthomas7098]

what a game! I was there!

[@kirkstringer3139]

Also Jason Peters from same area . He just went to School in Queen City, Texas which borders right next to Atlanta. It should really be all one city.

[@MattW-e8d]

You know they say why play games in Little Rock, this is a game they should show to people of why games in Little Rock are special

[@bobcostas8111]

Seeing the look in those LSU players is what helps me sleep at night

[@wutsit2yuhhuh246]

Lmfao

[@savagetigerfbfan6673]

I sleep well at night knowing we own you and are a wayyyy better football program than you 🐯🐯🐯

[@phenicegardner1381]

#32 Atlanta Texas made 💪🏾

[@ljhog151]

even back then the refs were trying to screw us. excessive celebration my A. it a big game how can you celebrate a TD too much?

[@jeffreyschaitel2990]

doesn't matter it was a penalty and this is from a HOG fan because it actually delayed the game somewhat not only that some of the people that piled on weren't even on the field of play point being What's wrong with with flipping the ball to the ref and as Darrell Royal (hate the fucker although i respect him) used to say, "act like you've been in the end zone before"?

[@derrickennemer5050]

@@jeffreyschaitel2990 Because, iys a big game, big play. The only people who have a problem with it, are old assholes, who think its still the 50s.

[@garychambers5930]

Our seats were right where he cut the ball We couldn't see if he caught the ball but the crowd let us know it happened

[@kirkstringer3139]

one of the better runs I've seen at 5:41.

[@DB-qc9br]

Die hard LSU fan but always loved the Razorbacks too (family ties). This one stung a little

[@ryanexsus]

This was the last time we beat Nick Saban. Wasn't a great game the week after either. Got beatdown in the SEC title game and then lost the bowl too. Beating LSU felt good though.

[@jeffreyschaitel2990]

and still is hell the last time we beat BAMA was in 2006

[@blackadam06]

I was there.... I'll be there next saturday tailgatin' for the Ole Miss game too!

[@bobbyswain7049]

Ole Nick sure holds a grudge doesnt he......We havent beaten him since I dont believe........WPS!

[@Iwastherein1969]

Arkansas, tea-bagging the state of Louisiana since 1836

[@kvltizt]

Iwastherein1969 I'm from Arkansas and live in Louisiana now. There are actually quite a few Hog fans down here.

[@sylvesteryoung2514]

Message to the LSU Cheerleader. We don't get mad, we get even.

[@savagetigerfbfan6673]

We own you 🐯🐯🐯🐯

[@ncl4160]

Stormed the field! My brother broke his ankle doing it with me lol

[@aaronbreland8292]

The last time Arkansas beat Saban. It’s too bad they won’t ever get that chance again because he just retired

[@brittneyperry24]

How did Houston go from this awesomeness to sweep left, pitch right, hb dive, play action screen, inside hand off, misdirection, counter, and finally sweep left to start his 7 play game plan again!!!??? Houston Nutt at one time had 3 NFL running back on the same team (Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, and Peyton Hillis) only won 8 damn games!!!! Bobby P wants to wrech his Hog, which in turn wrecked the Hogs... As of right this moment I'm a big time Bielemer... Don't let us down Brett....

[@WARMACHINE2013]

I'd hardly call the offense in this game "awesome" haha. It was basically every play you just said, or having Matt Jones run around to make something happen. In this game Jones was 2-of-13 passing until the last drive.

[@ryanexsus]

Cole Adair He was god awful throwing the ball for the most part. It was because he separated his shoulder his freshman year and never really healed.

[@kvltizt]

Sooo, Bielema was a fail. WPS anyway

[@mikesebine1671]

Jones amazing

[@davidd34]

Wow!! I thot I was seeing a recent game, then noticed the year in the headline. Does anybody remember if they won the next week and against whom?

[@WARMACHINE2013]

Lost to Georgia in the SEC Championship.

[@davidd34]

@@WARMACHINE2013 Well crud. Do we ever win championship games? I never have figured out why teams don't just come up with new plays for such a game, thus totally confusing the opponent. That'd at least make the games more interesting and possibly produce some upsets. I like college football over pro ball cause there's more chance of an underdog team Totally surprising a ranked team, making them look and feel like they're a bunch of kindergarteners. What I call a KABOOM moment. This season has seen such moments and I'm loving it!! I'm hoping for more Upsets, especially in the playoff games and actual championship game. Looking like Saban's days at AL are over. It'll take a Major overhaul of the program to go back to its winning ways or it could just be that parity is rearing its head to where on any given weekend any team can when. Makes it more exciting that way.

[@rockn1677]

Houston Nutt ended his Arkansas career with a win over No.1 LSU in Baton Rouge 5 years later..

[@rockn1677]

***** Yeah he sure was and he did it with Ed Orgeron recruits mostly and couldn't sustain the progress.

[@dbs3023]

And how he ran off Gus Malzahn and look what he’s done with Auburn......

[@AdmiralGigglesnort]

Markham is the street name.

[@richardbaker_0086]

Both were 8-3 Both were in the SEC One had a top 20 ranking Arkansas was UNRANKED

[@scottymatlock6799]

Darrell talley what a run to make it 14-17

[@thediehardarkansasrazorbak7288]

Fred Talley

[@vaibanez17]

Lots of players have used drugs and been back with the team or a new team. Players have committed felonies and been back in the NFL (Plaxico Burress). To me, Matt Jones athleticism is 1 in a million. It's not blind bias, it's just what I've seen. He would have been an outstanding receiver. Did he ever do anything other than smoke pot? Too bad he wasn't hitting steroids and HGH, because the NFL just looks the other way over those things.

[@daHipsta]

We could sure use that again this year versus Alabama.

[@chucke027]

we don't need miracles anymore

[@lawrencerichardson5442]

Game time

[@chuckalvarez8871]

Here in 2021

[@MLK010]

Can you upload LSU vs Arkansas 2010?

[@sashek8451]

My father was at the game he wanted to give up and go home at halftime.

[@HUNT-DOG]

Arkansas: "God's I was strong then"

[@mike1indallas]

Who were the CBS announcers for this game?

[@WARMACHINE2013]

+mike1indallas Craig James was the color and Craig Bolerjack was the play-by-play.

[@mike1indallas]

+WARMACHINE2013 Thanks. I have watched this vid probably 500 times. I was at the game and almost left early because I was driving to Dallas but my sister talked me out of it luckily. On the first play of the last drive the play by play guy says ".. Jones is going deep." and Craig James immediately says "He's got someone." And the rest is history, Birmingham TD catch and the very important 35 yard extra point. Maybe the Henry lateral in OT at Miss was more unusual but for some reason this last series against LSU gets me every time I watch it. Thanks for posting all these!

[@WARMACHINE2013]

+mike1indallas Yea that last drive was pretty special. Only had completed 2 passed the whole game then bam. Should have been a TD on that first play.

[@ralph6314]

I was with a friend and his dad and he made us leave in the third quarter. We got to the car when we heard the stadium roar when Fred Talley broke his big run. Got to Malvern and heard Paul Eels make the call on the radio. I haven't left a game at War Memorial early since...

[@vaibanez17]

I still don't understand why nobody gave Matt Jones a chance in the NFL. Was he a guy who made mistakes? Yes. Are 51% of the guys in the NFL screw ups who do stupid things and get multiple chances? Yes. Jones had freakish talent, I can't believe nobody even gave him a look when Jacksonville gave up on him. He made that spectacular catch in the preseason that showed what he could do on a regular basis. Those guys are rare. Hell, Ray Lewis killed someone and got to play 12 more seasons.

[@derrickennemer5050]

vaibanez17 he got caught chopping up lines of coke in Fayetteville, then got a switch while in probation, then he played 1 more season and retired.

[@darrellsmith7963]

True fan

[@sedtalley9216]

My big bro 20 Fred T

[@jovannycampas]

Nice

[@arkansasboy2177]

Yessir

[@CroomRulz]

Too bad Matt Jones decided he liked cocaine better than football.

[@cabinboy296]

Yeah, and maybe decided he didn’t want to destroy his brain with Football and coke, with football being the more permanent and deadly,of the two.

[@fudgenuggets405]

Last five minutes of this video sum up the Nutt era perfectly. Get dominated for 3+ quarters then tell your dudes to just ball out and get out of the way. A bunch of lucky, fluke ass shit later and walk out with a win just like you drew it up. Then brag about how awesome you are for a week and get thumped the next game.

[@Josh-cn3jv]

Lol 7:11 "there's no time left" somebody clearly does not know the rules of college football AND still 26 seconds

[@khazzeronTV]

Last time we ever beat Saban.

[@walterlv01]

7:11 - "But there's no time left!!" Uhmmm, what???

[@gmautos6067]

OH MY

[@ricohernandezjr.2874]

Birmingham was my guy…

[@jeffreyschaitel2990]

8:07 THE "NUTT" HOUSE LMFAO so true

[@finchborat]

The last time we beat Saban...

[@KillaGrams1996]

Nope I think 2006 vs Alabama was.

[@WARMACHINE2013]

Sweatpantskid No, he's right. Saban's first year at Alabama was 2007. 2006 was Mike Shula's last year in Tuscaloosa.

[@KillaGrams1996]

Oh ok my bad

[@brysoncaudle1990]

Is Houston nutt the only Arkansas coach to actually beat a Nick Saban team?

[@WARMACHINE2013]

Somehow, yes. But those 2 wins he had were over his first LSU team that went 8-4 and his third team that went 8-5. Both were good wins, but Saban was still building there.

[@TheGarrett2013]

hope this happens when we face LSWHO this year

[@demonslayer6588]

Wanna see arks first td

[@etchosts]

Ok I'm stupid. But WTH is Markham?

[@derrickennemer5050]

The name of the street War Memorial Stadium is on, it's a main thoroughfare through Little Rock. Hence the Miracle on Markham.

[@WhitePOWERranger1]

Saban and nutt, hate both of them. Great game though.

[@CroomRulz]

"Did he ever do anything other than smoke pot?"...Yes, he did cocaine. And Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg...his time did not fit the crime.

[@augustt396]

by one point

[@camg4240]

11 corndogs🤣

[@bdoakes]

I carry the ticket stub in my wallet to this very day.

[@liverpoolfan2525]

Surely selling cars in South Little Rock

[@derrickennemer5050]

Nah, sports talk radio.

[@hogmango3560]

Nutt always had Sabans number. Even when Nutt was at Ol Miss he would bite Saban in the ass at Alabama.

[@WARMACHINE2013]

He was 2-8 against Saban lol. Never beat him when he was at Ole Miss. His only two wins against him came in Saban's first three years of building LSU.

[@hogmango3560]

WARMACHINE2013 I'm thinking Nutt beat Alabama while at ol miss. I do know Saban took a real drubbing in his NFL years. He was totally out of his league there.

[@WARMACHINE2013]

He was 0-4 against Saban while at Ole Miss. Almost beat him his first year though. The other three meetings weren't so close. A lot of great college coaches haven't fared well as NFL head coaches. It's a lot different coaching college guys and coaching guys that are getting paid just as much if not more than you. Different kind of teaching and discipline.

[@jacobculliver2726]

Matt Jones ruined it for himself. He has only himself to blame with his crazy drug use.

[@cabinboy296]

By first hand accounts, Matt Jones was a privileged huge doucher. First and foremost his assholiness is why he isn’t in the NFL followed by drug use. Can’t speak for cocaine, it can be a nasty one, marijuana on the other hand is great if you’re not already a lazy ass.

[@arkansasgreg]

Really wasn't a miracle...WPS!!!

[@WARMACHINE2013]

Arkansas had completed 2 passes the entire game until the last drive.

[@CroomRulz]

Oh, and he also had a poor work ethic...probably because of his rampant drug use.

[@EdGBerry]

Because of his continued drug use.

[@chasegispert7077]

LSU stopped Arkansas on that 4th and goal wth

[@vaibanez17]

The street that War Memorial Stadium is located in Little Rock. This game did not occur at the Razorbacks' true home field in Fayetteville on the U of A campus.

[@finchborat]

I said this nearly a decade ago in the comment section and I'll say it again. Miracle on Markham I will be remembered as the final time (last of 2 times) we beat Saban. And aside from a few rare occasions, we never came close after this. Some of it was us. A lot of it was him. You could almost argue Saban never got over Miracle on Markham I and held it against us the rest of his career.

[@cliftonthomas198]

Never will forget this... I was there!!!!!

[@wutsit2yuhhuh246]

Your ears must be ringing still! 😂

[@Stuartcpht]

Thanks for posting this. Great memories. The following week..not so much.

[@skip6978]

Why did it end up being a 35 yard extra point?

[@WARMACHINE2013]

Excessive celebration after the TD.