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[Phil]

Go HERE for a look at the 1909 team in photos and a detailed account of how the UofA became the Razorbacks according to Philip Huntley, the center for the 1909 UA squad.

1909 - COACH HUGO BEZDEK’S PERFECT SEASON

Coach Hugo Bezdek was the Razorbacks eighth football coach in 14 seasons of play. He was only 24 years of age when he accepted the position fresh from his playing career for Amos Alonzo Stagg at the University of Chicago. Bezdek was the first true head coach at Arkansas. Others had been “student managers” chosen by the student body. Coach Bezdek was hired by the university.

In his first season of 1908 his team went 5-4 including a blow-out victory over Mississippi but losses at the hands of Texas 21-0, Oklahoma 27-5 and to LSU by 36-4. Things changed in 1909 however.

The 1909 team led by quarterback Steve Creekmore, a great all-around athlete, went 7-0 for the first perfect season in Arkansas’ short history. Included in the seven wins were avenging victories over Oklahoma by 21-6 and LSU 16-0.  Additionally the team had a win over Washington University of St. Louis 34-0. Washington had beaten a highly regarded Vanderbilt team earlier in the season.

The 1909 Cardinals became the Razorbacks during the season. The local newspapers including the Arkansas Gazette began referring more and more to the team as the Razorbacks which Coach Bezdek had tagged onto his team during a train ride through Texas the previous season. The nickname stuck and the athletic teams of the university subsequently were officially changed from the Cardinals to Razorbacks.

1909, truly a memorable year in Razorback athletic history.