Disappointment. It’s the word of the day for Razorback fans everywhere, and around the University. Certainly not the emotion Arkansas fans wanted.
Disappointment. Pure and utter disappointment. I almost typed the same word 750 times. It’s the takeaway from Saturday’s 34-10 loss to LSU. Disappointment.
Arkansas fans aren’t the only ones feeling that way, of course. Half the college fan bases around the country, when reflecting on Saturday’s football action, have a similar emotional hangover. Still, no true Hog fan can deny the feeling of … wait for it … disappointment.
Arkansas Razorback fans cheer during game against the LSU Tigers. / Matt Stamey-Imagn Images
The faithful fans of Fayetteville and far beyond had hoped for far better from their football team. Students, alumni, parents and family of the players, plus the corporate folks and bigwigs who watch from the skyboxes — and don’t forget the locals, the diehard fans whose families have called the Hogs for generations — packed Razorback Stadium to see their heroes tame the Tigers.
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Instead, the Hogs laid an egg big enough to feed everyone in that stadium. I know all about the old phrase “any given Saturday” and not knowing what to expect. That, my friends, is the true beauty of sports, along with the incredibly unpredictable and dramatic twists and turns and finishes that only games can provide.
There were some twists and turns against LSU, and a few brief stretches of hope as the Hogs made some plays on both sides of the ball and looked — if only for a moment or three — like a team capable of beating a Top 10 team.
Hogs receiver Tyrone Broden (5) had several impressive catches against LSU at Razorback Stadium Saturday. Tigers cornerback Zy Alexander (14) defends. / Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
But, coming off a bye week, everyone expected just a bit more. It’s almost always an advantage, with more time to heal and rest and certainly to prepare. Just didn’t work enough in the Hogs’ favor this time, though.
Nope, this was a case of LSU riding the momentum of its come-from-behind win at home the previous Saturday against highly ranked Ole Miss. The Bayou Bengals carried that confidence into Northwest Arkansas, flexed their mighty muscles on both lines, and strutted out with a big win.
In the SEC, every win is a big one. Few were bigger for Arkansas and coach Sam Pittman than the Hogs’ previous game, a 19-14 come-from-behind thriller that inspired — but mostly obligated, in this current climate — tens of thousands of fans to swarm the field when the clock expired.
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Everybody, even the oddsmakers, took note of that impressive victory. It’s why LSU was only favored by 2.5 points. And the Tigers knew if they didn’t ball out, they’d be going home with their collective tail tucked. So, they used short passes to fuel early drives and overcome seven — count ’em, seven! — illegal procedure penalties to grab a 13-0 lead almost before the Hogs and their fans knew what happened.
True to their nature, the Razorbacks fought back and got within 13-7 with a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped by Taylen Green’s 25-yard pass and run to Andrew Armstrong. Then it was 16-10 midway through the third quarter and Razorback rooters still felt their heroes could snatch this victory from the jaws of the Tigers.
LSU mascot Mike the Tiger poses with The Golden Boot trophy after the game against Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium. LSU won 34-10. / Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Oops. That’s when disappointment really arrived as Green’s tipped pass resulted in an interception at the Arkansas 1-yard line. Easy Tigers TD, followed by an easy 2-point conversion and 24-10 suddenly seemed like a big hill to climb.
The hated Longhorns of Texas, the nation’s No. 1 undefeated team before Georgia got to Austin, had a similar problem Saturday as turnovers and great play by the biggest Bulldogs staked the visitors to a 23-0 lead. Like the Hogs, the ‘Horns are wondering today how to respond to a disappointing loss.
Arkansas must regroup for a road challenge at Mississippi State, before hosting Ole Miss, a team desperate to win out and reach the 12-team playoff. LSU has a great chance to be invited to the tournament after avoiding the Hogs’ upset hopes.
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It’s not an easy road for LSU, though. The Tigers (6-1, 3-0) travel to Texas A&M (6-1, 4-0) next week in a battle for first place in the SEC. LSU then gets a bye before hosting two-loss Alabama in Death Valley.
LSU finishes at Florida prior and with home tilts against Vanderbilt and Oklahoma. The Tigers, as folks like to say, control their own destiny — but hey, we all do, correct?
Which brings us back to Arkansas. After facing the Mississippi daily double, the Hogs have another bye before hosting Texas Nov. 16 and Louisiana Tech the week after, before closing at Missouri.
Hopefully for the Hogs and Pittman, a bowl invitation will then be on the table. It would be the third bowl invite out of four possible in Pittman’s tenure. But how good will that offer be when the 12-game regular season is complete?
For certain, to get the Christmas present they all want, the Razorbacks would need to win at M-State. Seems a victory against La Tech is a given, so another triumph would be needed against either Ole Miss, Texas or Missouri. That’d be true to finish in the top half of the SEC also.
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That’s a tall order, though, akin to the win against then-No. 4 Tennessee. But if the Hogs can’t win at least three down the stretch, we’ll revisit the aftermath of the LSU game. Disappointment.
One LSU Player Razorbacks Had No Answers for in 34-10 Loss
• LSU’s hot start puts Razorbacks on back foot in first half
• Hogs’ host several recruiting targets with ranked LSU in town
• Calipari displaying willingness to change when needed
• Coach Prime and Simple Sam: College Football’s Odd Couple
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The Arkansas Court of Appeals released opinions Wednesday. The court’s ruling and the names of the cases are reprinted here. The full opinions and other court proceedings, including per curiam decisions, orders and submissions, can be found on the internet at arcourts.gov.
PROCEEDINGS OF Jan. 7, 2026
CHIEF JUDGE N. MARK KLAPPENBACH
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CR-23-821. Kenneth Steward v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Gladwin and Brown, JJ., agree.
JUDGE ROBERT J. GLADWIN
CR-25-24. Bryce Anderson v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Virden and Harrison, JJ., agree.
JUDGE CASEY R. TUCKER
CV-24-537. Flywheel Energy Production, LLC v. Van Buren County, Arkansas; and Van Buren County Judge Dale James, in His Official Capacity as Van Buren County Judge, from Van Buren County Circuit Court. Reversed and dismissed. Abramson and Harrison, JJ., agree.
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JUDGE WENDY SCHOLTENS WOOD
CV-24-209. LRS South, LLC v. Benton County Solid Waste Management District and the Benton County Solid Waste Management District Board, from Benton County Circuit Court. Reversed and remanded. Hixson and Murphy, JJ., agree.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas continued its offseason roster work by adding a transfer defensive back and securing a future offensive line piece from Texas, addressing both immediate depth and long-term development.
The Razorbacks announced the signing of Georgia State defensive back Tyler Scott, a transfer with multiple years of eligibility remaining, while also landing Carey Clayton, an offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll High School, as part of the 2026 recruiting class.
Scott joins the Hogs after spending the 2025 season at Georgia State, where he appeared in two games and recorded four tackles. He arrives in Fayetteville with three years of eligibility remaining, giving Arkansas flexibility in how he’s developed and used in the secondary.
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Before his time at Georgia State, Scott spent two seasons at Auburn. One of those seasons was cut short due to an ACL injury, limiting his opportunity to contribute on the field.
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The Razorbacks now provide him with a chance to reset and compete in a defensive back room that continues to evolve.
At 6 feet tall, Scott adds experience to a secondary that has seen significant turnover through the transfer portal. His addition gives the Hogs another option at defensive back as the staff works through spring and fall evaluations.
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Clayton strengthens 2026 offensive line class
Arkansas also added a future piece up front with the commitment of Carey Clayton, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll, one of Texas’ most consistent high school programs.
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Clayton helped Southlake Carroll complete an undefeated regular season last fall and reach the state semifinals. He enters college football as a consensus three-star prospect, ranked among the top offensive line recruits in Texas.
In addition to Arkansas, Clayton held offers from Air Force, Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, UAB and UTEP. He ultimately chose the Razorbacks, becoming the 16th commitment in the Hogs’ 2026 recruiting class.
Clayton is ranked around No. 251 nationally and No. 141 in Texas. While not among the highest-rated prospects in the class, his high school experience and physical development make him a long-term project for Arkansas’ offensive line.
Hogs continue roster building
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The additions of Scott and Clayton reflect the Hogs’ continued focus on roster balance. Scott becomes the 23rd transfer portal addition this offseason, reinforcing a secondary that has emphasized competition and depth.
Clayton’s commitment adds to a growing 2026 class that prioritizes size and developmental upside, particularly along the offensive line.
Arkansas has steadily worked to build future depth in the trenches while supplementing current needs through the portal.
While neither move is designed to generate immediate headlines, both fit into a broader plan aimed at improving roster stability.
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Scott offers experience and flexibility in the defensive backfield, while Clayton provides a long-term option at a position that often requires patience.
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As the Razorbacks move through the offseason, these additions help establish depth at key positions and give the coaching staff more options heading into the coming seasons.
Key takeaways
Arkansas added Georgia State transfer defensive back Tyler Scott, who brings experience and remaining eligibility to the secondary.
The Razorbacks signed 2026 Texas offensive lineman Carey Clayton, adding size and long-term depth up front.
The Hogs continue balancing immediate roster needs with long-term development through recruiting and the portal.
John Brummett’s career in news began when he was in high school, as a part-time reporter for the Arkansas Democrat. He moved to the Arkansas Gazette in 1977.
He wrote a political column for the Gazette from 1986 to 1990. He was an editor for the Arkansas Times from 1990 to 1992.
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In 1994, his book, “High Wire: From the Back Roads to the Beltway, the Education of Bill Clinton,” was published by Hyperion of New York City. He became a columnist with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in 1994. In 2000, he signed a deal with Donrey Media Group, now known as Stephens Media, and wrote for them for 11 years.
He rejoined Democrat-Gazette as a columnist on Oct. 24, 2011.
