ARLINGTON, Texas – Arkansas great Loyd Phillips, one of the greatest defensive linemen to ever play the game of college football, has died at the age of 75.
Phillips, a two-time consensus All-American, helped the Razorbacks land a berth in back-to-back Cotton Bowl Classics. He became a starter at defensive tackle in just his sophomore season and helped No. 2 Arkansas post five consecutive shutouts down the stretch to win the 1964 Southwest Conference title and earn a 10-7 victory over sixth-ranked Nebraska in the 1965 Classic.
After knocking off the Huskers, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) presented Arkansas with the Grantland Rice Trophy as college football's national champion.
A year later, Phillips and the second-ranked Razorbacks returned to the 1966 Cotton Bowl Classic on the heels of yet another undefeated season and with a 22-game winning streak on the line. But Arkansas' hopes of winning a second consecutive national title were dashed in a 14-7 loss to LSU.
Phillips was honored at the conclusion of his senior season in 1966 as the recipient of the Outland Trophy, an award presented by the FWAA to college football's finest interior lineman.
The Longview, Texas, native possessed all the tools to be one of the game's most dominate defensive linemen. Teammate Ken Hatfield, who went on to coach the Razorbacks in two Cotton Bowl Classics, described Phillips as "fast, strong, big and quick."
A three-time All-Southwest Conference selection (1964-66), Phillips collected 304 tackles during his celebrated Razorback career. He played on Arkansas teams that compiled a 29-3 record from 1964-66 including the 11-0 national championship season in 1964.
Phillips was drafted by the Chicago Bears as the 10th overall choice in the first round of the 1967 NFL draft. He ended his professional career with the New Orleans Saints.
After pro football, Phillips returned to Arkansas to finish his degree in health education and obtained his master's degree in administration.
He enjoyed a distinguished 37-year career in secondary education, working as an assistant principal and administrator in both the Springdale (Ark.) and Rogers (Ark.) school districts. Upon his retirement from education, Phillips volunteered his time working with Horses for Healing, a program designed to provide therapy for special needs children.
Phillips was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame in 2001. He is also a member of the University of Arkansas All-Century team, 1960s All-Decade Team, University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor, Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, Southwest Conference Hall of Fame and Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
