Category: Arkansas football

Arkansas getting valuable contributions from freshmen

Even though Arkansas is a senior-laden team, a number of true freshmen have already found a way to make an impact in 2021.

The signing class of 2021 has only been on campus for a few months, but a number of players from it are already paying huge dividends for Arkansas three games into the season.

True freshman AJ Green has been explosive at running back, which was expected based on his speed and his high school accolades out of Tulsa Union.

Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders is the same way. He has already found the end zone against Texas and is slated to return kicks, although he’s only returned one thus far.

Ketron Jackson has suited up in all three games and caught one pass for 16 yards, although he did get a touchdown wiped out because of a penalty against Georgia Southern.

Probably the highest-impact freshman to this point has been kicker Cameron Little. He is 6 for 6 on field goals and connected on all 15 extra points he has attempted.

There are a number of players who have yet to play yet, including heralded in-state guys like Erin Outley and Landon Rogers.

Defensive backs Chase Lowery and Keuan Parker along with Jermaine Hamilton-Jordan have also yet to find their way onto the field in a game.

That could change now that Southeastern Conference play is set to begin. It will be an all hands-on-deck approach, and the Razorbacks don’t get a bye week until October 30.

Depth will be critical, especially if injuries occur. Offensive linemen Terry Wells, Cole Carson and Devon Manuel may be asked to contribute.

Arkansas offensive linemen Ricky Stromberg, Dalton Wagner questionable vs Texas A&M

Arkansas offensive linemen Ricky Stromberg and Dalton Wagner are questionable for Texas A&M, but Sam Pittman didn’t rule them out.

Gamesmanship is a big part of college football. Take, for example, the Arkansas depth chart.

It has hardly changed since the initial one was released at the end of fall camp. A season-ending injury to Dorian Gerald necessitated one change, but his injury was known. Other, smaller injuries, coaches have found it’s better to play close to the vest.

Arkansas center Ricky Stromberg and right tackle Dalton Wagner were both hurt in Saturday’s 45-10 win over Georgia Southern. Neither returned after his injury, either. But when the depth chart for Texas A&M was released, they were atop at their respective positions and coach Sam Pittman said Arkansas would prepare as though neither would play.

That serves two purposes.

First, it ensures Texas A&M is unaware. The smallest of lineup changes can sometimes result in the biggest of focuses. Would A&M go after the right side of the line more if they knew Wagner was out? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

Second, it forces Arkansas reserves into game-readiness. That’s always a good thing for the team to which it happens. Stromberg, an All-SEC selection, was out most of fall camp. Because of it, guard Ty Clary was able to get snaps back at his old position. When Stromberg was hurt again against the Eagles, Clary wasn’t forced into a duty he with which he was infamiliar.

An easy bet would be if Stromberg and Wagner are healthy enough to play, they will against Texas A&M. Arkansas beating the Aggies would snap a nine-game losing streak to its old Southwest Conference rival, but more importantly, it would vault the Razorbacks into a national spotlight and a possible top-10 ranking.

So, yes, Pittman is absolutely making the right call by leaving two starters’ statuses in doubt.

Arkansas-Georgia Southern: Inside the box score from Saturday’s 45-10 win

A deep dive look into the three things that stood out from the box score in Arkansas’ win over Georgia Southern.

Three different things jump out from the box score as we look deeper into Arkansas’ 45-10 over Georgia Southern.

The Razorbacks had some moments in the first half that went well, but Sam Pittman wasn’t happy with the energy of his team. That was quickly fixed in the second half as the Hogs exploded offensively to roll in a blowout win.

So just how did it happen? How did the bad go bad and how did the good go good? Every Sunday we’ll look inside the numbers and give you three reasons why Arkansas did what Arkansas did the day before.

We take a look at week 3.

1. KJ Jefferson: 13 for 23 for 366 Yards and 3 Touchdowns

Hogs fans had not had the chance to see KJ Jefferson really throw the ball around in the first two games of the season. They got that chance on Saturday against Georgia Southern and Jefferson delivered big time.

Whether it was short passes in the flat or deep bombs downfield, Jefferson showcased the reason why he’s QB1 for Arkansas. Not every pass was perfect, but anytime you throw for 350-plus yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers, it’s hard to complain. He had a lot of help from his great receivers as well.

Jefferson now gives Texas A&M another thing to plan for this Saturday in Arlington in addition to the plays he can make with his legs.

2. Penalties: 9 for 93 Yards

Arkansas has shown how balanced their offense is, how physical their defense is and how improved the special teams are. But the one thing they have to clean up is the amount of penalties they have had so far this season.

The Razorbacks only had four penalties against Texas, but 13 penalties against Rice and nine penalties against Georgia Southern have been concerning. Sam Pittman even alluded to his concerns in the press conference on Saturday after the win.

If the Hogs want to be successful in the SEC this year, they are going to have to make sure they keep the self inflicted penalties to a minimum.

3. Rushing Yards Allowed: 152

You can’t run successfully against this Razorbacks defense. It doesn’t matter if you try to run it right up the gut or cut it outside, the Hogs will make you earn every yard.

Besides the one breakdown where Georgia State scampered for a 76-yard touchdown in the first half, the Eagles could not break through Arkansas’ defensive front. The defensive line clogs up the blockers which leaves the Razorbacks linebackers available to come up and make plays.

Arkansas will face an effective passing offense eventually this year, but until then,  this defense will be hard to score on.

Razorbacks check-in at No. 16 in the Associated Press poll

Arkansas football is up to No. 16 in this week’s AP Poll.

College football media has taken notice of Sam Pittman and the Arkansas football team as the Razorbacks are up to No. 16 in the AP Poll after Week 3.

Arkansas had no trap-game against Georgia Southern on Saturday as the Hogs won easily, 45-10. Now, they prepare for No. 7 Texas A&M inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

The Aggies have won nine straight games in the series, but Saturday will be the first time the two have met with each ranked – and perfect at 3-0 – since 2016. Texas A&M won last year’s game, 42-31.

The game against the Aggies is the first of a brutally tough four-game stretch for Arkansas. Pittman’s crew travel to No. 2 Georgia in Week 5, No. 13 Ole Miss in Week 6 and host No. 23 Auburn in Week 7. A brief reprieve follows against FCS Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Week 8 before the Razorbacks close with Mississippi State at home, LSU on the road, No. 1 Alabama on the road and Missouri at home.

Arkansas ranked 18th after Week 3 in USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll

Arkansas football keeps climbing in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll after beating Georgia Southern on Saturday.

A day after an absolute demolition of Georgia Southern, Arkansas finds itself as the No. 18 team in the nation.

The USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll was released at 11 a.m. Sunday and found the Razorbacks up six spots from their No. 24 spot last week. Each week has seen Arkansas climb in the rankings.

Coach Sam Pittman’s team received three points in the preseason poll, 11 points after beating Rice in Week 1 and enter the poll last week upon beating Texas.

Arkansas opens SEC play this week against Texas A&M at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Aggies, ranked No. 5 in the poll, have beaten the Razorbacks in nine straight matchups in the series.

Other SEC teams inside the top 25 include Alabama (1), Georgia (2), Florida (12), Ole Miss (13) and Auburn (23).

LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri were not ranked, though LSU was the top vote-getting team outside the Top 25.

After A&M, Arkansas travels to Athens to play Georgia in Week 5 and to Oxford in Week 6 to play Ole Miss. A home game against Auburn follows on Oct. 16.

The kickoff against the Aggies on Saturday is at 2:30 p.m. on CBS.

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Not even close: Arkansas has zero trouble with Georgia Southern, 45-10

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson had a record-setting day as the Razorbacks dominated Georgia Southern, 45-10.

Arkansas used a record-setting day from quarterback KJ Jefferson and picked up another great defensive performance to dispatch Georgia Southern on Saturday, 45-10.

Jefferson, in just the fourth start of his career, went 13 for 23 for 366 yards and three touchdowns. His 91-yard toss to Treylon Burks in the third quarter made the score 38-10 and was the second longest touchdown pass in school history, just one yard shy of Matt Jones’ 92-yarder to Richard Smith against Tennessee in 2002.

Jefferson also threw a 14-yard touchdown to Tyson Morris in the second quarter and a 60-yarder to Warren Thompson on the first drive of the second half.

Arkansas’ defense held Georgia Southern to just 39 yards on its first five drives. The Eagles scored on a 76-yard scramble by Justin Tomlin who was untouched in the second quarter when Arkansas defenders downfield didn’t see him until it was too late.

The win sets up a matchup between the 3-0 Hogs and 3-0 Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas next week. Arkansas has lost nine straight to the Aggies.

WATCH: KJ Jefferson sets career high in passing vs Georgia Southern

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson has a career high in passing after this sick touchdown toss.

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson set a career high in passing yards against Georgia Southern and he did so with almost half the game to play.

Jefferson’s 60-yard touchdown pass to Warren Thompson with 13:26 left in the third quarter was his second passing score of the day. It also resulted in 276 yards for him throwing.

He previously had a career-high of 275 against in his lone start last year against Missouri. In that game, Jefferson went 18 for 33 with three scores and no interceptions. So far against Georgia Southern, he’s 12 of 20 for 275 yards with two touchdowns and no picks.

Jefferson’s first touchdown pass of the day was a 14-yarder to Tyson Morris, the second time the two have combined for a score this season.

After the touchdown to Thompson, Arkansas led 31-10.

Arkansas First-team All-SEC center Ricky Stromberg hurt vs Georgia Southern

Arkansas center Ricky Stromberg hurt, leaves game against Georgia Southern.

Arkansas center Ricky Stromberg left the Razorbacks’ game against Georgia Southern early in the third quarter.

Stromberg appeared to hurt his knee as he was rolled from behind on Trelon Smith’s one-yard gain at the Arkansas 25. The first-team All-SEC selection walked off under his own power. Ty Clary, who served two seasons as Arkansas center, shifted from guard to take his place.

Stromberg missed most of fall camp with a leg injury.

Arkansas had 343 yards of total offense with 14:25 left in the third quarter when Stromberg was hurt.

Arkansas scored a touchdown two plays later to move ahead, 31-10.

Arkansas-Georgia Southern: Stay updated here with 1st half LIVE highlights, summary

Arkansas and Texas live blog with updated summary and stats can be found right here on Razorbacks Wire.

Arkansas and Georgia Southern are underway inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium for Week 3.

If you can’t watch, keep it right here for constant updates every drive of the night.

Hot Start

Georgia Southern picked up one yard on its first three plays of the game, all runs. Arkansas’ defense was never fooled.

The Hogs started on their own 27 for their first series after the Eagles punt from their 21. KJ Jefferson had all day to throw on the first play and found Tyson Morris on a deep ball for a gain of 47 yards. Trelon Smith went for five, then eight, then 13 to paydirt.

Four plays in 1:12 is awfully fast.

Arkansas 7, Georgia Southern 0. 12:07 1st quarter

What social media is saying about Arkansas vs Georgia Southern

Arkansas vs Georgia Southern may not be college football’s top game of Saturday, but Twitter is still full of takes for Hogs-Eagles.

Arkansas fans are flying high today from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. While the Razorbacks’ game against Georgia Southern isn’t garnering the same attention as Arkansas’ game against Texas last week did, don’t kid yourself, Hogs fans are itching for a 3-0 start.

Like always, Twitter is ablaze with fans, local media and national media talking Arkansas football.

Here are some of the best tweets so far.