The 2018 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Chad Morris, the Razorbacks compiled an overall record of 2âÂÂ10 with a mark of 0âÂÂ8 in conference play, placing last out of seven teams in the SEC's Western Division. The team played six home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and one home game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The Razorbacks' 2018 schedule consisted of seven home games, four away games, and one neutral site game. Per southernpigskin.com, the Razorbacks' schedule ranked as the 39th-toughest of the 66 Power Five teams in the nation.
Chad Morris, former head coach at Southern Methodist University, was hired on December 6, 2017, to be the 33rd head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, following the dismissal of Bret Bielema just under two weeks prior. On January 9, 2018, Joe Craddock was named offensive coordinator, and John Chavis was named defensive coordinator. Both had previously served the same roles at SMU and Texas A&M, respectively.
Barry Lunney Jr., tight ends coach, and John Scott Jr., defensive line coach, were the only two assistants retained from Bielema's staff.
<small>Listed in the order that they were released</small>
The 2018 Arkansas RedâÂÂWhite Spring Football Game took place at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, with kickoff at 1:00 p.m. CT on April 7. It was broadcast on the SEC Network. The white team consisted of the offense and the red team consisted of the defense.
The spring game followed a different format: the game was played in twelve minute quarters, rather than fifteen, with a running clock in the second half. The game was scored traditionally on offense (white team), but the defense (red team) could earn points for a variety of achievements (6 pts. for touchdown, 3 for turnover or 4th down stop, 2 for three-and-out, 2 for blocked kick, 1 for sack or TFL).
Coach Morris named Hjalte Froholdt, Jared Cornelius, Santos Ramirez, De'Jon Harris, and Dre Greenlaw team captains for Arkansas' first game. Cole Kelley was named the starting quarterback, though Ty Storey played the majority of the game, throwing three touchdown passes. With the victory, Arkansas improved to 98âÂÂ23âÂÂ4 all-time in season openers, with Chad Morris becoming the eighth consecutive Razorback head coach to win their first game at Arkansas. This game also gave Arkansas a 6âÂÂ0 record against current OVC members, their last win coming in 2015 against UT Martin.
Coach Morris named Michael Taylor II, Armon Watts, Brian Wallace, and Jeremy Patton as the captains for Arkansas' second game. The pregame depth charts named both Cole Kelley and Ty Storey as starting quarterbacks, though Storey started the game and played the entire first half. However, he was replaced by Kelley for the second half after throwing two interceptions. The loss dropped the Razorbacks to 14âÂÂ2 against current MWC opponents, with the last contest, in 2011, resulting in an Arkansas win over New Mexico.
For Arkansas' third game, Coach Morris named Jonathan Nance, McTelvin Agim, Deion Malone, and Nate Dalton as captains. For the second straight game, the pregame depth chart listed both Kelley and Storey as starting quarterbacks; Kelley ultimately got the start and played into the third quarter before being replaced by freshman Connor Noland, who shared the remaining drives with freshman John Stephen Jones. The loss dropped Arkansas to 54âÂÂ30 against current CâÂÂUSA opponents, 10âÂÂ1 since joining the SEC.
Coach Morris named Randy Ramsey, Jared Cornelius, Hjalte Froholdt, and Santos Ramirez to be captains for Arkansas' fourth game. For the first time this season, Ty Storey was named the sole starting quarterback; he played the entire game, save for a few snaps given to Kelley.
Prior to Arkansas' fifth game, Chad Morris named the permanent captains for the remainder of the season: Santos Ramirez, Hjalte Froholdt, Dre Greenlaw, and De'Jon Harris. For the second game in a row, Ty Storey was named the starting quarterback.
For the third consecutive game, pregame depth charts listed Ty Storey as Arkansas' starting quarterback. This was Arkansas' 24th matchup against an AP No. 1 team; the loss dropped them to 4âÂÂ20. Additionally, Cheyenne O'Grady became only the 3rd SEC player to score two receiving touchdowns in one half against a Nick SabanâÂÂled Alabama team.
This game was the first since 2014 that Arkansas faced an SEC opponent in Little Rock.
For the fourth time in the last five years, the Razorbacks faced a nonâÂÂP5 opponent for their homecoming game. After Ty Storey was injured against Ole Miss, freshman Connor Noland was named the starter. Noland played into the third quarter until he was injured on a hit and momentarily replaced by Cole Kelley. He and Kelley shared the remainder of the snaps in the game.
Prior to the season, head coach Chad Morris announced that permanent captains would not be announced until later in the season, and the captain spots would rotate until then.
Prior to the Week 5 game against Texas A&M, permanent captains were announced.
The Razorbacks signed a total of 17 recruits.