The 2011 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by Bobby Petrino in his fourth and final season as head coach, the Razorbacks compiled an overall record of 11âÂÂ2 with a mark of 6âÂÂ2 in conference play, placing third in the SEC's Western Division, behind LSU and Alabama, the two teams that played in the BCS National Championship Game. Arkansas as invited to the 2012 Cotton Bowl Classic, where Razorbacks defeated Kansas State to cap off the third 11-win season in program history. They also finished fifth in the final AP poll, Arkansas' highest national ranking since finishing third in 1977. The team played five home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and two home games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Tyler Wilson became the first Arkansas quarterback to be voted first team All-SEC. Wide receiver Jarius Wright, defenseive end Jake Bequette, and return specialist Joe Adams were also named first-team All-SEC. Adams was also a consensus All-American, and won the inaugural Jet Award given to the nation's best return specialist.
Despite the successful season, Petrino was fired in the offseason. A motorcycle accident on April 1, 2012, led to the discovery that Petrino had covered up an extramarital affair with a member of his staff, and that he had hired the woman in question over several other applicants for the position
On September 25, 2011 (six days prior to the game) Texas A&M announced that it would once again become conference mates with Arkansas, by joining the Southeastern Conference as a full member beginning in 2012.
Near the end of the game, Arkansas fans acknowledged A&M's announcement by appearing on the Cowboys Stadium jumbotron with a large sign saying "Welcome to the SEC".
Five and a half minutes into the third quarter, after a three-and-out, while trailing 21âÂÂ17, Arkansas wide receiver Marquel Wade was ejected for a flagrant personal foul when he hit defenseless punt returner Jonathan Krause.
A day after the game, tight end Garrett Uekman was found dead in his dorm room of heart problems.
Arkansas and Kansas State met for the first time in postseason and for the fifth time overall. The Razorbacks netted their first Cotton Bowl Classic win since 2000. The 2012 Cotton Bowl was the only non-BCS bowl that featured two Top 10 opponents.