Tag: Malik Hornsby

Arkansas backup QB Malik Hornsby to enter transfer portal

Malik Hornsby is one of the first big dominoes to fall in what should be a very active offseason for Arkansas football.

The latest Razorback football player to announce their intentions to transfer is quarterback Malik Hornsby. The former four-star recruit from Missouri City (Texas) made his decision public via his Twitter account Monday afternoon.

“First and foremost I want to thank Coach Pittman & Coach Briles for giving me the opportunity to play here at the University of Arkansas. I want to thank my family, friends, and supporters that I have gained along the way,” said the post on Hornsby’s Twitter account. “To my teammates, my brothers, I will cherish every moment we had.”

“Thank you Razorback Nation #WPS. My journey here as a Razorback has come to an end. I will make the best decision for me and my future. I am entering my name in the transfer portal.”

Hornsby’s announcement shouldn’t come as a shock to many, as he also announced his intentions to transfer from the Hogs last offseason before speaking with Sam Pittman and withdrawing his name days later.

In his three seasons at Arkansas, Hornsby has appeared in 16 games throwing only 39 passes for 314 yards and one touchdown in that span. He also rushed 57 times for 307 yards and one touchdown.

As a redshirt sophomore, he will have at least two more seasons of eligibility left.

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Arkansas need a healthy KJ Jefferson if they want to beat Ole Miss

It’s no question the Razorbacks need Jefferson to have a chance at beating Ole Miss because the two backups have only contributed 27 total points in two games. 

Twice this season, we got to see how KJ Jefferson’s backup look when they are called upon. And twice, the Arkansas Razorbacks’ offense was non-existent.

Jefferson’s health is again questionable for the late game against Ole Miss, which leaves Razorbacks nation holding their breath. Sam Pittman said earlier in the week they “anticipate” playing Saturday but also acknowledge that could change. That was apparent last week against LSU when Jefferson was scratched just minutes before kickoff, leaving Malik Hornsby as the starter.

Hornsby didn’t finish the game, and Cade Fortin entered the game and threw a touchdown, but the game ended with him being stripped and sacked.

“I think our team and our staff just want to know if [Jefferson] going to be available or not,” Pittman said about his starting quarterback.

“I think our team needs him. Or do we need to go the entire week and say he’s not going to. I think a lot of that will be said today. Cade and Malik will battle for who would play in that second spot if KJ is not able to.”

It’s no question the Razorbacks need Jefferson to have a chance at beating Ole Miss because the two backups have only contributed 27 total points in two games.

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.

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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Instant analysis: Arkansas, LSU both sluggish after a half

Arkansas and LSU decided offense wasn’t necessary in the first half Saturday.

Neither Arkansas or LSU brought much offense to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium for the first half-hour on Saturday.

No. 7 LSU took a 6-3 lead into halftime, but had just 145 yards of total offense. The Razorbacks were on pace for their worst offensive output in the last decade-plus before the final drive of the half helped with 23 yards. Arkansas still had just 91 yards of total offense at the break.

Arkansas had entered the game with the No. 13 offense in FBS, averaging 485 yards a game. But that was with KJ Jefferson more often than not.

The Razorbacks announced their starting quarterback would not play against the Tigers as he continued to nurse a shoulder injury. Jefferson was on the field for warm-ups, but barely participated.

That put it on Malik Hornsby’s arm and legs. He went 2 for 6 passing for 15 yards and ran 13 times for 40 yards. Rocket Sanders, who led the SEC in yards rushing entering the game, had just 24 yards on seven carries.

Both teams lost a fumble and LSU one-upped Arkansas having thrown an interception, too.

Arkansas’ best chance for a touchdown came late in the first quarter when the Hogs spent all four plays inside the LSU 10. Coach Sam Pittman chose to go for it on fourth down and the drive ended with Hornsby stumbling well short of the end zone.

Cam Little’s 28-yard field goal in the first quarter gave Arkansas an initial lead before Damian Ramos booted two through in the second.

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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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Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson leaves late against BYU after hitting head

Hogs quarterback KJ Jefferson landed on the crown of his helmet late against BYU.

The Arkansas offense was glad to have KJ Jefferson back. The starting quarterback missed last week’s loss to Mississippi State and the offense managed just 17 points.

Arkansas scored 52 against BYU in a 17-point win on Saturday to snap a three-game losing streak. But Jefferson, who suffered a likely head injury late in the team’s loss to Alabama two weeks ago, left the game late in the fourth quarter against the Cougars with another one.

Jefferson took off around the left side for a five-yard gain to the BYU 2 and came down hard on the crown of his helmet. He didn’t get up before the commercial break came and looked dazed after removing his helmet.

When play resumed, Malik Hornsby was in the game, though Jefferson was seen on the sidelines in good spirits as the staff appeared to be replacing a contact lens in his eye.

Jefferson threw for 367 yards and five touchdowns and ran for another 32 yards on 10 carries before leaving.

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KJ Jefferson is better than your favorite quarterback and proves it against BYU

KJ Jefferson is unlike any quarterback in all of college football.

As many moments as Malik Horsnby had filling in for KJ Jefferson at quarterback for Arkansas last week against Mississippi State, there’s still only one KJ.

Without him, Arkansas wouldn’t be 3-3 and taking a lead into the half against BYU. Without him, Arkansas might have one win through six games, instead. Jefferson is so good, he was our clear Most Valuable Player choice for the Razorbacks during our midseason awards earlier this week.

On Saturday, he tossed his third touchdown pass with 40 seconds left in the first half against the Cougars. It was a 15-yarder to freshman running back Rashod Dubinion, but it wasn’t even the most important play of the drive.

No, that came a couple plays before when the Jefferson that drew national attention in 2021 was back. He strengthened and spun his way out of a would-be sack – or three – on 3rd-and-11 from his own 42 with the Razorbacks ahead by just three points. Jefferson bought enough time to find Trey Knox over the middle for a gain of 36 yards.

Two plays later, touchdown.

Sam Pittman breaks down decision to start Cade Fortin

Cade Fortin didn’t make it past the first quarter in Arkansas’s 40-17 loss to Mississippi State.

Malik Hornsby played well against Mississippi State, throwing for 234 yards and rushing for 114 yards, but it doesn’t count as a start.

Instead, Cade Fortin was named the starter, but his 5th career start ended with only six passing attempts and a lot of confusion about why he was in the starting lineup from the Arkansas fan base and media after the Razorbacks lost to Mississippi State, 40-17, on Saturday.

“Fortin basically in practice had won that job,” head coach Sam Pittman said about the quarterback decision. “(He) Had a really good week. Certainly, there’s a difference between playing somebody’s first team and our scout team. Our scout team is a little depleted right now with all our injuries.”

The offense looked lost when Fortin was on the field, and once Hornsby made the big run in the first quarter, it left Pittman and the rest of his staff no choice but to make the switch.

“We weren’t disappointed in Cade,” Pittman said. “Malik had brought us a spark throwing and running. That was the decision going into that before the game.”

KJ Jefferson was suited up but only as a decoy, never once looking like he would enter the game. Pittman decided to keep the details of his injury disclosed, and we’re not sure if he will be available for next week’s trips to BYU though Pittman said he hoped to get his starter cleared as soon as Sunday.

If Jefferson is unavailable, it will be interesting to see if Hornsby gets the nod as the starter during the week.

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Arkansas Football: Razorbacks’ report card against Mississippi State

Evaluating the Arkansas Razorbacks’ 40-17 loss to Mississippi State.

Mike Leach got his first win against Sam Pittman thanks to a productive day in the air.

We wrote earlier in the week about how the Mississippi State passing attack could damage Arkansas pass coverage, and it did, but we can’t blame it solely on the secondary.

Will Rogers felt comfortable in the pocket, leading to a three-touchdown day by the best – most accurate, anyway – passer in the country. The Razorbacks allowed 395 yards in the air and 173 yards on the ground.

Surprisingly, Mississippi State only outgained Arkansas by 32 yards in their 40-17 victory. Arkansas’s offense didn’t have problems with moving the ball, but it didn’t result in many points, which can be blamed on the decision.

The grades from this game won’t be pretty, but let’s jump into the report card.