Razorbacks release 2001 schedule

<br>FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) _ The University of Arkansas announced its football schedule for 2001 and, for the first time since 1933, the Razorbacks will play five games in Fayetteville. <br><br>Arkansas

Wednesday, October 25th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) _ The University of Arkansas announced its football schedule for 2001 and, for the first time since 1933, the Razorbacks will play five games in Fayetteville.

Arkansas has seven in-state games, including the season opener against Nevada-Las Vegas in Little Rock on Sept. 1. It will be the first football game between the two schools.

The other two non-conference games are both in Fayetteville _ Sept. 15 against North Texas and Oct. 6 against Middle Tennessee. It will be the eighth meeting between the Razorbacks and North Texas and the second game between Arkansas and Middle Tennessee.

The Razorbacks will open their Southeastern Conference schedule Sept. 8 against Tennessee in Fayetteville. That is the earliest conference opener since the Razorbacks joined the SEC in 1992.

Other in-state SEC games include South Carolina at Little Rock on Oct. 13, Auburn at Fayetteville on Oct. 27 and Mississippi State at Fayetteville on Nov. 17.

The Razorbacks will be on the road against SEC opponents Alabama on Sept. 22, Georgia on Sept. 29, Mississippi on Nov. 3 and LSU on Nov. 24.

Once again, the Razorbacks will have two open dates. The first is on Oct. 20, after Arkansas has played seven games. The other open date will be Nov. 10. That is a departure from recent schedules. For instance, this year the Razorbacks had an open date on Sept. 9 and another one on Oct. 21.

The last time Arkansas played five games in Fayetteville, the opponents were College of Ozarks, Oklahoma Baptist, TCU, SMU and Hendrix College.

In August, university officials and War Memorial Stadium officials signed a 15-year contract under which the Razorbacks would continue playing some ``home'' games in Little Rock while playing the rest at their Fayetteville campus.

The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees voted in February to enter into a contract with the Little Rock stadium, calling for three games this season and in three other seasons over the next 15 years, with two games a season in the other 11 years.

Game times for the 2001 season will be announced later.

The schedule:

Sept. 1, Nevada-Las Vegas, Little Rock.

Sept. 8, Tennessee, Fayetteville.

Sept. 15, North Texas, Fayetteville.

Sept. 22, at Alabama.

Sept. 29, at Georgia.

Oct. 6, Middle Tennessee, Fayetteville.

Oct. 13, South Carolina, Little Rock.

Oct. 27, Auburn, Fayetteville.

Nov. 3, at Mississippi.

Nov. 17, Mississippi State, Fayetteville.

Nov. 24, at LSU.