Category: Arkansas Razorbacks

Former Arkansas outfielder named MVP of Arizona Fall League

Former Arkansas outfielder Heston Kjerstad, once the No. 2 overall pick, is making his march toward the Big Leagues.

Heston Kjerstad is on the verge.

The former Arkansas outfielder was taken second overall in the 2020 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. Big things were expected, but Kjerstad was diagnosed with myocarditis and didn’t make his professional debut until this past June.

The Orioles sent him to the Arizona Fall League this offseason and he rewarded their patience by earning Most Valuable Player honors, it was announced Saturday. Kjerstad led the AFL in hits, doubles and total bases. He had a slash line of .357/.385/.622.

Previous MVPs in the Arizona Fall League include Nolan Arenado, Kris Bryant and Ronald Acuna Jr.

During his primary season in the summer, split between High-A and Single-A, Kjerstad five home runs in 65 games, slashing .309/.394/.457. He is the Orioles ninth-rated prospect entering the spring.

Drew Sanders, Pooh Paul headline Arkansas’ Players of the Game vs. LSU

The Arkansas defense led by Drew Sanders and Chris “Pooh” Paul highlight Player of the Game selections.

You couldn’t have asked for a better performance from the Arkansas defense on Saturday. The defensive unit finished with seven sacks, eight tackles-for-loss, and forced two turnovers.

Drew Sanders had another great day, finishing with 12 tackles, a sack and tackle for loss. Chris “Pooh” Paul had his best game of the season, ending the day with five tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss. It’s the first time Paul has received Player of the Game honors in his career. The defense, as a whole, played their best game of the season.

The same can’t be said for the offense, as they were only able to put up 10 points and had another rough outing.

The three Razorbacks Wire staffers – editor E. Wayne and contributors Connor Goodson and Kendall Hilton – were able to put together five deserving Hogs for Player of the Game honors despite the tough loss.

Here’s more details and their complete list of player selections below.

How Arkansas football opponents did in Week 11

Arkansas will rue the missed opportunities if the Hogs can’t get a win in their final two.

What began as one of the hardest schedules in FBS, Arkansas’ 12-game regular-season slate isn’t quite shaping up that way.

That’s troubling for a Razorbacks team that is 5-5 and still hasn’t clinched bowl eligibility with two games left.

The best teams in the SEC are still the best teams in the SEC. Alabama, Ole Miss and LSU are solid, even if none of them may make the College Football Playoff by virtue of beating up on one another.

But the rest? Texas A&M is in the midst of its worst season in decades. Auburn fired its coach midseason after falling to the Hogs. BYU, Missouri State and South Carolina haven’t lived up to expectations. Liberty fell to lowly UConn on Saturday. About the only team that is fitting is Cincinnati.

It’s a good thing strength-of-schedule is largely irrelevant now. All the Hogs have to do is win one of its next two games and at least something will salvage.

Twitter reacts to Arkansas’ loss vs LSU with frustration: “I want Sam Pittman fired”

The number of Arkansas fans calling for changes to the football program are growing after the Hogs fell to LSU.

My, how quickly things change.

It less than one year ago that Arkansas football fans were on top of the world. The Razorbacks had beaten Penn State in the Outback Bowl to get to nine wins and capped the best season in a decade.

Now, 11 months later, Arkansas is 5-5 and the group of those fans who want serious change with the program are growing in number.

Arkansas lost 13-10 to No. 7 LSU on Saturday. It was a game the Hogs weren’t supposed to win and they managed things that close without their most important player, starting quarterback KJ Jefferson.

But that matters little when fans’ favorite team is staring at the possibility of missing the postseason.

Let’s take a look at some of their post-game reactions via Twitter.

Everything Sam Pittman said after Arkansas’ loss to LSU

Sam Pittman knows the pressure is on him and Arkansas after Saturday’s loss to LSU.

At some point during a struggle, whatever the sport, finding silver linings becomes a moot point.

Things aren’t quite to that stage for the Arkansas football team, but following Saturday’s 13-10 loss to No. 7 LSU, the Razorbacks are 5-5, in danger of not becoming bowl eligible with two games left to play in the regular season.

Coach Sam Pittman paused several times during questions after the game. He is always thoughtful in his responses, but it was clear the coach was exasperated. Arkansas played its best defensive game of the season, but the offense, and especially the offensive line, simply didn’t give the Razorbacks much of a chance.

The bright spots were there and they can be built on, but if it doesn’t happen in the next two weeks, it won’t matter much.

Here’s everything Pittman had to say after the game.

Photo Gallery: Best images from Arkansas vs LSU

Arkansas may want to forget Saturday’s game against LSU happened, but re-living the game can be cathartic.

Arkansas playing the No. 7 team in the nation was little consolation Saturday. In fact, it may make things worse.

Arkansas lost its third game of the year by single digits, falling to LSU, 13-10, on Saturday in Fayetteville.

The Razorbacks had a chance on their final drive, but Harold Perkins Jr. strip-sacked Cade Fortin and the Tigers recovered to all but end the game. Perkins had four sacks and two forced fumbles.

Fortin, Arkansas’ third-string quarterback, replaced Malik Hornsby in the third quarter. He threw a touchdown pass to Matt Landers with 13:12 left to trim LSU’s lead to three points.

Arkansas’ defense limited LSU to 284 yards, but Josh Williams’ 1-yard touchdown run in third quarter proved enough of a difference. Williams had 117 yards along with his touchdown.

Harold Perkins Jr. will haunt Arkansas dreams as LSU holds on

Cade Fortin nearly rallied Arkansas to an upset, but No. 7 LSU held on Saturday from Fayetteville.

Arkansas’ season is more of the hand-grenade variety than the horseshoe one.

The Razorbacks lost their third game of the year by single digits on Saturday, falling to No. 7 LSU, 13-10, in the penultimate game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas remains a game away from bowl eligibility.

Cade Fortin, who replaced starter Malik Hornsby because of ineffectiveness in the third quarter, threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Matt Landers with 13:12 left to pull Arkansas within three points, 13-10.

But one Arkansas’ last offensive series, starting deep in its own territory, Fortin was sacked and stripped by LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. with 1:14 left. The Tigers recovered and kneeled on their final drive to clinch the win.

Fortin played well in his quarter-and-a-half, finishing 8 of 13 for 92 yards with the touchdown, but Arkansas’ offense missed KJ Jefferson badly. Hornsby had his first career start, but completed just two passes in the first half. Arkansas had just 91 yards of total offense in the first two quarters and finished with 249 total.

The Razorbacks host Ole Miss in in Week 12.

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Social media reacts to KJ Jefferson’s injury status, Arkansas, LSU

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson was announced as out just before the Hogs’ kickoff vs LSU.

While the Razorback season has been a disappointment, and fans haven’t had much to be excited about, the rivalry against LSU should get everybody excited.

Weather could be a factor for the latest Battle for the Golden Boot edition. At kickoff, it will be 38 degrees, but currently, it feels like 22 degrees. Luckily the skies will be clear, but we could see both teams running the ball much more with the temperature being nearly freezing.

The Razorbacks haven’t defeated the Tigers in Razorback stadium since 2014, and for the Razorbacks, they should be ready to spoil a potential playoff run by the Tigers.

KJ Jefferson was announced as out just before kickoff, handing the reins to Malik Hornsby. It will probably make a difference.

Let’s see what the fans have to say.

KJ Jefferson dressed, on the field, but did not take full reps pre-game vs LSU

KJ Jefferson did not participate fully in warm-ups for Arkansas ahead of the game against LSU.

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson is unlikely to play Saturday against LSU.

The junior starter was dressed and on the field for pre-game warm-ups Saturday, but did not fully participate. He was flanked at the 10 by Malik Hornsby and Cade Fortin who threw passes to Arkansas receivers, standing wtih his hands in a warmer at his waist.

Jefferson has thrown for 1,981 yards with 17 touchdowns and three interceptions this season. He missed Arkansas’ game against Mississippi State, a 40-17 loss, because of a suspected concussion. He played in last week’s loss to Liberty, but was only moderately effective, throwing two touchdowns.

Coach Sam Pittman said after the game Jefferson had a sore shoulder. It was getting better leading up to the LSU game, but Pittman said Jefferson suffered a setback midweek and his status for the Tigers was unclear.

Hornsby is likely to get a bulk of the snaps in his stead. He was 8 of 17 for 248 yards against MSU and ran for another 114 yards.

The Razorbacks are home underdogs and a loss would drop them to 5-5, remaining a game short of bowl eligibility.

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Five predictions for Arkansas football vs LSU

Arkansas is almost playing for its life Saturday against LSU. Will it be enough?

It’s easy to say from Fayetteville as a base that Arkansas needs Saturday’s win more than LSU. 

But the Tigers want a spot in the College Football Playoff. No team with two losses is higher ranked in the those standings than LSU and winning out, including an SEC title, would probably see Brian Kelly’s bunch playing for a shot at the national title.

In other words, LSU might actually want Saturday’s win more.

But Arkansas needs it. Desperately. The Hogs can clinch a .500 record and bowl eligibility with a victory. And it’s easier to get it at home than on the road. The last time Arkansas’ faithful want is to play literal must-win games against Ole Miss next week and on the road at Missouri in the finale.

If KJ Jefferson is healthy and not just healthy enough, Arkansas has a shot. The Razorbacks’ offense is one of the best in college football, but only if he’s at the helm.