The list of issues the Arkansas football team needed to tweak has been lengthy for practically all three of the team’s games so far.
One such quirk may seem minor in the grand scheme of things, but was a significant factor as to why Arkansas lost against BYU in Week 3.
Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman said Wednesday that the Razorbacks will play both punters Max Fletcher and Devin Bale on Saturday against LSU on the road. Fletcher has averaged 44.4 yards per punt this year, but had punts of 10 and 28 yards against the Cougars. The 10-punt resulted in BYU starting its next drive on the Arkansas 45. BYU running back LJ Martin took the first offensive play of the series to the end zone, tying the game at 14.
“We’re going to start Max,” Pittman said. “But we will punt Devin Bale on Saturday because he’s earned the right to do that.”
Fletcher began the 2022 season as Arkansas No. 1 punter, as well, but lost his job midway through the year to Reid Bauer. When Bauer left, Bale transferred in from Northern Colorado. He averaged 41.4 yards per punt on 51 punts last year at the FCS school.