From the Sports Chest: Anthony Lucas Autographed Riddell Mini Football Helmet

August 1999 – Fan Appreciation Day is the one day set aside for the Arkansas Razorback football team to meet face-to-face with the public. Coach Houston Nutt scheduled this day on one Saturday each fall, typically prior to a major pre-season scrimmage. Unfortunately, it usually meant battling the intense August heat as you wait in line, moving from table to table to meet your favorite player and get his signature.

Anthony Lucas, from Tallulah, Louisiana, was a star wide receiver for the Hogs from 1995-1999. He was two-time All-SEC First Team (’98, ’99) and held the team record for career receiving yards (2,879) until it was broken by Jarius Wright during the 2011 season. While I had other players sign a team ball at Fan Appreciation Day, Anthony Lucas was one of my favorite players and deserved to sign this Riddell Mini Football Helmet all by himself. Three months after signing this helmet, “Stoerner to Lucas” would be etched into the memories of Hog fans everywhere as one of the greatest redemption games in college football history.

From the Sports Chest: Arkansas Razorbacks 1998 Souvenir Stadium Cup

September 1998 – Houston Nutt returned to the program he once quarterbacked as Frank Broyles’ choice to take the Arkansas Razorbacks to new heights in the rigorous Southeastern Conference. The 1998 football season opened with great enthusiasm and optimism. I attended the first conference game in Fayetteville against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Arkansas won 42-6 and really controlled the game from start to finish. I attended the game with my wife, brother and sister-in-law and we had a great time celebrating a big SEC victory against the past and future SEC standard bearer.

 

This cup was sold at Razorback Stadium and featured a quarterback in the road white jersey wearing uniform #14. Hmmm…I wonder who that could be? This “Clint Stoerner cup” featured the player art with Coca-Cola logo on one side and the full game schedule on the other side. This ’98 team won their first 8 games and finished 9-3 on the season. Thanks to Coach Nutt and the players on this squad, the Arkansas Razorbacks were back on the national map.