Arkansas loses second $1.5 million guarantee game of season in Western Kentucky defeat
Arkansas’ easy non-conference schedule didn’t only cost them in the loss column. It hit them in the pocketbook, too.Â
The Razorbacks, which finished 2-2 in games outside the SEC after Saturday’s 45-19 home drubbing at the hands of Western Kentucky, doled out $1.5 million to the Hilltoppers, according to the agreement the two programs signed last year.Â
The $1.5 million guarantee is the same amount Arkansas paid to San Jose State, which visited Fayetteville in September and surprised the Razorbacks 31-24.Â
To open the season, Arkansas paid $550,000 to Portland State and won 31-24. The Razorbacks were originally going to pay Colorado State $1.3 million, but an amendment to the deal changed the amount paid to $300,000 after a scheduled game with Michigan fell through.Â
The $3.85 million price tag for the four non-conference games is third-highest in the country, behind Alabama (three games, $4.075 million) and Auburn (four games, $7,787,500).Â
In September, Eastern Michigan defeated Illinois on the road and received a $1.5 million payday for it.Â
Overall, the Razorbacks are 2-8 overall and 0-6 in SEC play under second-year coach Chad Morris. Arkansas’ final two games of the season are against LSU and Missouri.Â
