Tag: Missouri State

Bobby Petrino Makes his first trip back to Arkansas with Missouri State

Bobby Petrino makes his return to Arkansas after a decade!

It was a decade ago, but who can forget the controversy created by former Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino?

Arkansas and Petrino have moved on from the situation, so this weekend’s game against Missouri State should be a good way for all parties to reunite and bury the hatchet.

Except this is college football, where head coaching returns can be very personal and nasty, and I think this will be that kind of game.

Missouri State sits at No. 5 in the FCS coaches poll, and Petrino is credited for the surging bears. Petrino was hired as the Bears’ head coach in 2020 and has a 15-9 record. The Bears are undefeated, already defeating an Arkansas school team to open the college football season. They’ll be entering Fayetteville with some momentum, defeating Tennessee-Martin, 35-30, thanks to a 14-point fourth quarter.

Jason Shelley was named national player of the week after his performance. The senior quarterback out of Frisco, Texas, threw five touchdowns, including the go-ahead touchdown in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter.

Petrino’s success with quarterbacks isn’t something new. In his previous job, he helped a game name Lamar Jackson become the first Heisman winner in Louisville history. That guy Jackson went on to do some good things.

“I’m focused on helping the players and developing them,” Petrino said about his goals at Missouri State. “I’m focused on developing the coaches and helping them get better. Not worrying so much about just winning games every day. It’s the process we are going through that has helped us win games.”

For the Razorbacks, this is not a game to overlook. While they are not an FBS school, Missouri State is the second-ranked team the Hogs will play so far this season.

Saturday’s matchup has all the ingredients to be a trap game for the Razorbacks.

And not as a pit stop before College Station.

[listicle id=12277]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fc3h383th881vsf1 player_id=none image=https://razorbackswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

247Sports predicts Arkansas’ record through September

Arkansas is projected to live up to its’ high expectations through the first month of the season.

The Arkansas Razorbacks have higher-than-usual expectations for the 2022 season, and a good (or bad) first month could be a measuring stick of where they are as a program in year three under Sam Pittman.

Arkansas will play three of four games in September at home, which will take some of the pressure off as they face a challenging slate to open the season.

247Sports recently released their predictions of every SEC team’s record for the month of September, where they project Arkansas to enter October with a 4-0 record.

You can buy tickets to every Arkansas Razorbacks game at TicketSmarter.

Brad Crawford of 247Sports says that a perfect September will set up for a major showdown with Alabama when the calendar turns to October.

D.W.R Razorbacks Stadium might fall down before the kickoff against Alabama in October if both of those teams come into that one unbeaten. Arkansas hasn’t beaten the Crimson Tide in more than a decade, but could have the team to get it done this fall considering the preseason No. 1 won’t be tested in September. Getting there will be difficult for the Razorbacks, however. They open against Cincinnati, host South Carolina in Week 2 and then play Missouri State before a divisional showdown with Texas A&M. If Arkansas wins those four games, Sam Pittman’s crew is worthy of top 10 billing when Alabama comes to town.

Here’s a look at Arkansas’ September schedule:

The Road to Omaha begins in Oklahoma for Arkansas

Arkansas will face Grand Canyon in the Stillwater Regional opener on Friday.

The Arkansas Razorbacks will not have to travel far to compete in the 2022 NCAA Regionals.

The Razorbacks were chosen as the no. 2 seed in the Stillwater Regional, hosted by no. 7 overall seed Oklahoma State, as announced on the NCAA Baseball Championship Selection Special from ESPN on Monday.

The first draw for Arkansas will be the no. 3 Grand Canyon Antelopes from the Western Athletic Conference. The Razorbacks will meet the Antelopes on Friday at a time to be named later.

Also participating in the Stillwater Regional is Missouri State, a team that the Razorbacks have met once this season. In that meeting that took place on May 3 at Baum-Walker Stadium, the Bears got the best of Arkansas, 6-4. Missouri State held onto a 6-1 lead entering the 9th inning, but held off a fiery comeback attempt by Arkansas to grab the win.

The winner of the Stillwater Regional will face the winner of the Chapel Hill Regional, hosted by North Carolina. North Carolina, as well as Hofstra, Virginia Commonwealth, and SEC-foe Georgia will square off in Chapel Hill this weekend.

Arkansas’ run to the College World Series begins Friday in Stillwater, Okla. against Grand Canyon. Schedule and start times will be announced at a later time.

[listicle id=8976]

Kickoff times announced for Arkansas’ first three games

Mark your calendars! Kickoff times for the first three games of the season have been announced.

Thursday marks 100 days until the beginning of the College Football season. Why not celebrate by releasing the times of three early-season games for Arkansas?

Many television networks, including ESPN, have released the times of each broadcast of games involving Power-Five conferences, with Arkansas being brought into the mix.

The Razorbacks’ first three games will be played at DWR Razorbacks Stadium and will be carried by the ESPN family of networks.

Arkansas’ season opener with Cincinnati on September 3 will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT and will be televised by ESPN. This will mark the first-ever meeting between the Razorbacks and the Bearcats. Against current AAC teams, the Razorbacks are 114-55-8, with most of their meetings being between Tulsa and SMU.

Conference play opens in week two, as Arkansas hosts South Carolina for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff. Arkansas currently leads the overall series, 13-10, but have not defeated the Gamecocks since 2011, when the Razorbacks beat South Carolina 44-28 in Fayetteville. South Carolina has won three games in a row in the series, with the most recent game being played in 2017 in Columbia. The Gamecocks won 48-22.

An old friend visits Fayetteville in week three, as Arkansas hosts Missouri State and former head coach Bobby Petrino. Good news, is that the game has a later kickoff, 6 p.m. CT. But the downside, is that the game will not be available on national TV. Fans can watch Arkansas vs. Missouri State on SEC Network+, which available on the ESPN app on smart devices, including smart TVs.

[listicle id=7068]

Colts draft DT Eric Johnson: 3 things to know

Here are three things to know about Colts’ new DT Eric Johnson.

The Indianapolis Colts added some much-needed depth to their defensive front when they selected Missouri State defensive tackle Eric Johnson with the No. 159 overall pick.

Johnson has impressive speed for his size and has the ability to beat linemen inside. He plays similarly to Grover Stewart and is going to benefit from having DeForest Buckner to learn from.

Here are three things to know about the Colts’ new defensive tackle:

Jasmine Franklin to reunite with Kellie Harper at Tennessee

Jasmine Franklin to reunite with Kellie Harper at Tennessee.

A former Missouri State women’s basketball player is transferring to Tennessee where she will be reunited with head coach Kellie Harper.

Harper announced Friday she received SEC Grant-in-Aid and an Institutional Financial Aid Agreement for Jasmine Franklin, who played for her at Missouri State.

Franklin and Harper were together at Missouri State when the Bears made the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2019.

A two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference standout and 2021 MVC Defensive Player of the Year, Franklin appeared in 102 games for the Bears and made 99 starts.

Franklin leaves Missouri State with 1,122 career points and 913 rebounds. During her career with the Bears, Franklin averaged 11.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 assists per game.

During the 2021-22 season, she averaged 14.0 points and 12.1 rebounds per contest.

[vertical-gallery id=35402]

Report: Chargers hosting pair of prospects for top-30 visits

The Chargers are bringing in a defensive tackle and safety for top-30 visits ahead of the 2022 NFL draft.

The Chargers are set to host Missouri State defensive tackle Eric Johnson and Virginia safety Joey Blount for top-30 visits, according to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo and The Athletic’s Greg Auman.

In addition, Los Angeles already brought in Florida offensive tackle Jean Delance for a visit, per Guilty As Charged’s Maddie Schmidt.

NFL teams can host up to 30 prospects at their facilities prior to the draft, where they are taken through final interviews, meetings, and physicals.

Johnson posted 43 tackles (19 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five quarterback hits, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, three pass breakups, and three blocked field goal kicks during 12 starts in 2021.

Johnson participated in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, where his dominant performance raised the eyebrows of evaluators to the point where he was invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

There, the 6-foot-4 and 299 pounder with 34 1/4-inch arms stood out, winning with his length, power in his punch and explosiveness off the snap.

Blount finished his collegiate career with 306 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 9 interceptions. He had 87 tackles and 3 interceptions in his final season.

At his Pro Day, the playmaking safety ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds, bench pressed 225 pounds 20 times, and amassed a 38-inch vertical leap and 10’7″ broad jump.

Delance possesses the ideal measurables and resume for an NFL offensive lineman at 6-foot-5 and 303 pounds with over 36-inch arms coupled with 37 SEC starts under his belt, playing both tackle and guard.

Delance was a key member of Gator’s starting five, keeping rushers at bay with his athleticism and vine-like arms, all while paving the way in the run game, as they ranked No. 4 in the SEC in rushing offense in 2021.

2022 Senior Bowl: 4 potential Chargers DL/EDGE that stood out from Day 3

A look at some standout defensive linemen and edge defenders on Day 3 of the Senior Bowl that could’ve caught the Chargers’ attention.

The last day of practices at the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl ended on Thursday.

While media access was limited to NFL teams, digital staff, local and broadcast media, I was still able to watch the film afterward and spot some players who made themselves some money in the trenches.

Here are four interior defensive linemen and edge defenders that stood out:

EDGE DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky

After flashing on Days 1 and 2, Malone continued his momentum into the final day. Not only did he display a quick first step, lower-body twitch, and looseness in his rushes, but he showed some power on a rep against Braxton Jones to bully him into the backfield. Keep in mind that Malone is only 234 pounds, making this even more impressive. With the explosiveness and length, Malone is the ideal mid-round edge defender that Brandon Staley should covet.

EDGE Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina

After posting four sacks, 45 pressures, 16 quarterback hits, and the highest pass-rush win rate among SEC defensive linemen (25.8%) in 2021, Enagbare flashed that type of dominance on the practice field. In college, he won primarily with his length (35-inch arms) and power, but Enagbare dug into the toolbox to show more variety with his rushes. Most notably, Enagbare beat Max Mitchell with a well-executed cross-chop. He is a player who possesses the ability to play inside and outside.

DT Neil Farrell Jr., LSU

Overshadowed by other SEC interior defensive linemen, Farrell did not get as much buzz throughout the season. However, his efforts were always noticed. Farrell finished with the fifth-most run stops (24) and the second-highest run-stop percentage (11.4), per Pro Football Focus. On almost every rep, Farrell was either controlling the point of attack to allow second-level defenders to roam freely or he was in the backfield, winning with the quickness to invade gaps, leverage in the team session or brute strength & powerful limbs to push blockers back and heavy hands to swat jab attempts in one-on-ones. Farrell is a strong candidate for a Day 3 selection.

DT Eric Johnson, Missouri State

Johnson’s dominance from the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl was recognized by scouts, so they requested him to be sent to Mobile. After making the leap, Johnson showed that he belongs here with the cream of the crop. Boasting an NFL frame with great length, Johnson used that coupled with explosiveness to extend and lockout. From there, it was pure power to jolt guys back. Further, he flashed impressive agility and balance through contact.

Notre Dame Men Earn Senior Day Win in Shamrock Invitational

After getting off to such a strong start against Missouri State in the Shamrock Invitational on Thursday, Friday merely was a curtain call.

After getting off to such a strong start against Missouri State in the Shamrock Invitational on Thursday, Friday merely was a curtain call. As it also was Senior Day, the day began with a ceremony to honor those who are moving on. Then, the Irish won in every category to earn a 268-86 victory.

Austin Flaute was the winner in both the 1-meter (350.18) and 3-meter (379.43) diving events. On the swimming side, the Irish increased their NCAA B-Cuts for the meet to nine. Winners were Jack Hoagland in the 1,650-meter freestyle (14 minutes, 59.49 seconds), Jack Fitzpatrick in the 200 backstroke (1:45.09), Cason Wilburn in the 100 freestyle (43.60), Tyler Christianson in the 200 breaststroke (1:55.49) and Max Miranda in the 200 butterfly (1:46.99).

The women began their portion of the meet Friday against Akron, and they hold an 84-26 lead after six events. It began with a win in the 200 freestyle relay (1:30.78) by the team of Coleen Gillian, Cailey Grunhard, Rachel Wittmer and Carly Quast. Skylar Fore joined Gillian, Quast and Grunhard to win the 400 medley relay in 3:35.90. Individual winners were Gillian in the 200 individual medley (1:57.46), Grunhard in the 50 freestyle (23.23) and Luciana Thomas in the 500 freestyle (4:46.48).

Spencer Rattler dialed in as Oklahoma leads Missouri State 41-0 at halftime

Oklahoma leads Missouri State 41-0 at halftime

Oklahoma is firing on all cylinders in their season opener, leading Missouri State 41-0 at halftime.

Leading the way is redshirt freshman Spencer Rattler, who is 14-for-17 for 290 yards and four touchdowns in his starting debut. Two of his three incompletions were both drops for eventual touchdowns.

A pair of true freshman scored the first two touchdowns of the game for OU, as Seth McGowan and Marvin Mims found the end zone early.

The Sooners offense opened up with a five-play, 58-yard touchdown drive commandeered by Rattler, and McGowan punched it into the endzone from one yard out. McGowan led Oklahoma with 34 yards rushing on five carries.

On the second drive, Rattler delivered a strike to Mims for a 58-yard score. The next was to Charleston Rambo for a 53-yard touchdown reception.

The Sooners would eventually tack on two field goals and one more touchdown in the second quarter.

Alex Grinch’s defense held strong, pitching a shutout and allowing just 37 yards of offense in the first two quarters. They finished with seven three-and-outs. Linebacker Brian Asamoah led the Sooners with five total tackles.