Guiton, Jefferson video proof Arkansas never quit on the season

Some wanted to move on from KJ Jefferson and the season. But Jefferson never quit, never wanted to do the same.

Different people like different things. Some may dig tea instead of coffee. They may like steaks well-done, not medium-rare. Orange juice with pulp preferred over sans pulp. The boss you hate may be one your co-worker loves.

Heck, have you seen the way people vote in elections?

In other words, no one can account for personal taste.

The suggestions, or outright assertion, some fans that Arkansas’ players had quit on the season a few weeks ago was always wrong. A bunch of teenagers and 20-somethings who have dedicated their lives, most of them, to the sport they play at the university weren’t about to give up just because things weren’t going their way. What they needed was motivation, like a teacher who finally ‘got you’ when you were in high school.

That teacher turned out to be Kenny Guiton, the man promoted to offensive coordinator two weeks ago when Arkansas coach Sam Pittman fired then-OC Dan Enos. Guiton was the team’s wide receivers coach. Pittman said a big reason he promoted him was because of the rapport he had with the offensive players, not just receivers.

Arkansas responded with a season-high 481 yards in a 39-36 overtime win over Florida, the program’s first in Gainesville. Afterward, video surfaced of Guiton and quarterback KJ Jefferson – the only man dragged more than Pittman and Enos by the angries of the fan base during the Razorbacks losing streak – celebrating the win in the bowels of Ben Hill-Griffin Stadium.

Jefferson had looked out of sorts under Enos. He looked a little slower. He looked a bit more indecisive. He was taking a beating behind a porous offensive line.

Turns out, he isn’t slower. He isn’t indecisive. When upright, he’s still the same quarterback who earned preseason All-SEC second-team honors, the same quarterback whose darkhorse Heisman hopes before the season were legit (if definitely darkhorse). Jefferson’s 92 yards rushing were the fourth-most of his career and his 255 yards passing more in line were with his 2022 and 2021 results. Arkansas’ win more in line with the same.

Jefferson has been born again under Guiton. At least for a day. But like those born again, they know every day is a challenge. Every day is a job at which perseverance and piousness must lead the way.

If Guiton and Jefferson can keep the faith and walk the path, Arkansas can turn things all the way around and end things on a high note. And then, just maybe, the switch from Coke to Pepsi will make lasting change.