Arkansas
Arkansas Edge Becomes the Official NIL Collective for the University of Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Blueprint Sports (BPS), the industry leader in full-service name, image, and likeness (NIL) collectives, proudly announces the launch of Arkansas Edge, the premier NIL Collective supporting all 465-plus University of Arkansas student-athletes.
“As we continue to strategically position our programs to compete and win championships within the SEC and nationally, Arkansas Edge is the optimum way for Razorback fans to support our student-athletes through NIL,” said Hunter Yurachek, University of Arkansas’ Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics. “NIL is integral to the success of our program and is reshaping the future of athletics at every major university nationwide. Arkansas Edge and its innovative team will work hand-in-hand with us to continue to connect our student-athletes with NIL opportunities that also serve our community, state and region. We encourage every fan, company, alumni and all those who support the Razorbacks to contribute to Arkansas Edge as we work together for the present and future success of Razorback Athletics.”
Each and every gift makes a difference. Starting at only $25 a month, community supporters can become members of the collective and show their support for the community with brand-new merchandise showcasing the new logo. As part of its launch goal, Arkansas Edge is seeking 5,000 Razorback fans to become members at $50 a month and an additional 5,000 Razorback fans to join at $100 a month.
Thanks to a generous donation, the first $1 Million dollars raised for Arkansas Edge will be matched, resulting in a $2 million impact for the benefit of Razorback student-athletes.
To celebrate the launch of Arkansas Edge, the collective will debut at the highly anticipated men’s basketball game against Duke on Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena. Fans in attendance and those who visit arkansasedgenil.com during the game, can enter to win autographed memorabilia.
Arkansas Edge will be staffed by a full-time, local team of dedicated professionals to manage the daily operations of the collective. The staff will work throughout the region to proactively fundraise from supporters, work with local non-profits who want to engage with student-athletes and engage with businesses who believe that working with student-athletes can help boost their business and brands. With the introduction of Arkansas Edge, the former OneArkansas Collective will retire after blazing the trail for NIL at the University of Arkansas.
“We’re privileged to welcome the University of Arkansas to the Blueprint Sports family,” said Blueprint Sports CEO Rob Sine. “Our team has spent a lot of time getting to know the community, the coaches, and the administrators at the University. We understand how special the Razorbacks are to the entire state of Arkansas, and we are very privileged to bring our expertise from over 25 other universities around the country here to the Razorbacks.”
Arkansas Edge supporters, alumni, and fans have three easy ways to contribute to the collective:
• Donations: Make a tax-deductible donation to Arkansas Edge through a partnership with the BPS Foundation, a national 501c3 nonprofit. Student-athletes will partner with a local nonprofit to work on charitable causes and commit to community service hours.
• Membership: Become a member of Arkansas Edge and receive exclusive member benefits, like meet-and-greets with student-athletes, autographed merchandise, and more.
• Corporate Sponsorship: NIL allows local and national sponsors to partner with Razorback student-athletes for endorsement deals, marketing campaigns, appearances, and other projects.
For more information about Arkansas Edge, visit arkansasedgenil.com and follow on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
ABOUT ARKANSAS EDGE
Arkansas Edge is the official Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) collective supporting 465-plus student-athletes at the University of Arkansas. Supporters, fans, and alumni who support Arkansas Edge are pledging to maximize opportunities for student-athletes to build their brands and engage with the community. There are various ways to get involved, including corporate partnerships, memberships, and charitable contributions. Arkansas Edge is powered by parent company Blueprint Sports. For more information about NIL partnerships with Razorback student-athletes, visit arkansasedgenil.com.
ABOUT BLUEPRINT SPORTS
Founded in 2020, Blueprint Sports (BPS) powers the industry’s leading name, image, and likeness (NIL) collectives for alumni, supporters, and businesses, connecting them with student-athletes at their favorite university. BPS’ national portfolio of collectives supports student-athletes across the country, including Penn State University, University of Kansas, University of Maryland, Boston College, NC State University, Kansas State University, Villanova University, Stanford University, Gonzaga University, University of Arizona, University of Tennessee, University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of Nevada, and more. The Blueprint Sports management team possesses over 50 years of college and professional sports experience, spanning the Pac-12 Conference, IMG, Learfield, and more. For more information, visit blueprintsports.com or its pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
After three weeks standing on the verge of bowl eligibility, Arkansas football has its best opportunity to secure a spot in college football’s postseason this weekend against Louisiana Tech.
The Razorbacks (5-5) will host the Bulldogs (4-6) on Saturday (3 p.m., SECN+). Twenty players are projected to take part in Senior Day festivities as Arkansas closes out its home schedule in 2024.
The Hogs are coming off back-to-back losses inside Reynolds Razorback Stadium, most recently falling to Texas 20-10. Arkansas’ offense couldn’t muster enough production across the first two quarters as a comeback bid fell short against the Longhorns.
Louisiana Tech, meanwhile, is coming off its biggest win of the season. The Bulldogs beat conference rival Western Kentucky 12-7, knocking the Hilltoppers out of first place in Conference USA.
Here are four things to watch and a score prediction for Saturday’s contest between Arkansas and Louisiana Tech.
Arkansas football must get off to a fast start
The best way to prevent an upset is to eliminate any hope. Arkansas didn’t do that against UAB in September, and the Razorbacks came out of the gates slow last year in this same spot against FIU. They eventually won both games, but the final scores were closer than desired.
“We’re trying to live up to the Arkansas standard, and that results in executing on the field. And if we don’t live up to that, then we’re going to see a similar slow start,” Arkansas offensive lineman Josh Braun said. “So that’s what we’re focused on this week, just starting fast and playing our brand of football.”
Take care of the football
This is arguably the biggest key for Arkansas every weekend. The Razorbacks are 0-5 when they lose the turnover battle this season, and two costly giveaways spoiled any chance at an upset last week against Texas.
Fortunately for Arkansas, Louisiana Tech ranks 111th in the country in turnover margin. The Bulldogs are averaging nearly two turnovers a game, so this might be an opportune matchup for the Hogs’ defense.
Control the running game on both sides
The Bulldogs have struggled on the ground all season, and they’ve won both games in which they rushed for more than 150 yards. By contrast, they are 2-6 when held under that mark.
Arkansas’ running defense has been strong throughout the year. Only two opponents have averaged more than 4 yards per carry, and the Razorbacks should be able to keep Louisiana Tech running backs Omiri Wiggins and Amani Givens in check.
On the flip side, Arkansas needs to commit to running the football early and stay vigilant with Ja’Quinden Jackson. Relying on the pass too heavily proved a mistake in the first half against Texas, and look for Bobby Petrino to adjust.
All eyes on Tru Edwards
Edwards, a senior wide receiver, is by far Louisiana Tech’s most dangerous weapon. He has four games this season with more than 100 yards receiving and leads the team with six touchdowns.
He’s a big-play threat who will require the full focus of the Arkansas defense. The Razorbacks’ secondary will try to maintain its momentum after holding Quinn Ewers and Isaiah Bond in check last week.
Prediction
Louisiana Tech is better than its record indicates, but there is still a gulf in talent between the two rosters. If Arkansas handles its own business and avoids sloppy turnovers, it should have no problem securing bowl eligibility Saturday. An upset loss would be unacceptable. Arkansas 38, Louisiana Tech 13.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A lot has been made of the poor a attendance at Arkansas Razorbacks basketball games this season.
However, while it’s been somewhat embarrassing at times, it’s not entirely on Razorbacks fans. It’s not anyone’s fault technically. It’s more of a case of a schedule having to be made hastily before there was an opportunity to get to know the nuances of The Natural State.
One thing that is hard for the people of Arkansas to realize without moving away for some extended period of time is how unique the especially close relationship with the local church and the commitment this state’s citizens have to it actually is.
Scheduling the rest of life around church as a non-negotiable is expected. Playing organized sports on Sundays is still still frowned upon in much of the state, as are hunting and fishing in some cases.
Church comes first, whether it be Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night or revival week. Youth league coaches can find themselves pariahs for scheduling practices on Wednesday nights for this very reason.
That’s why excessively low attendance for Wednesday night games shouldn’t be as shocking to those who live here as opposed to people looking from the outside in.
See, one of the biggest adjustments to living outside of Arkansas is the extreme lack of Wednesday night church services. Same goes for revivals.
They’re just not a thing throughout much of the rest of the country, even in states that claim to really be into God. It’s even hard to find legitimate Sunday night services.
At best, there will be a youth program parents use as an excuse for a quick date night. So, that’s why it’s not surprising a coaching staff that didn’t grow up here might think nothing of lining up games on Wednesday nights expecting to get decent weeknight crowds.
However, what happens instead is much smaller crowds that make Hogs fans look disinterested at best. That’s just not likely the case.
They’re interested. Just not until the devotional has been read, the sermon has been preached and the invitation has been sung.
As soon as they get in the parking lot, the first thing they do is turn on the radio and try to catch up with what they have missed. It might seem strange to those from other states, but the priorities are right.
It may look bad on TV, but God, family and then the Razorbacks is the correct order
It’s a minor mistake in scheduling that is easily forgiven and eventually rectified. After all, the seats are still sold out and there are more important things involved in life.
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The Arkansas high school football playoffs are on to Round 2, where several teams will start their postseason quest for a state championship after earning Round 1 byes.
The postseason in Class 2A through 7A plus the 8-man division started last week.
Bryant, Fayetteville, Bentonville and Conway are the 7A teams that will kick off their playoff run in Round 2 this week.
>>Arkansas high school football playoff brackets
Stick with High School on SI for all of the matchups, game times and scores throughout the 2024 Arkansas (AAA) football playoffs.
Here are the Arkansas high school football playoff brackets, with matchups and game times, plus second-round matchups:
Second-round matchups
Bryant vs. Cabot
7 p.m. Friday
Pulaski Academy vs. Fayetteville
7 p.m. Friday
Bentonville vs. Bentonville West
7 p.m. Friday
Rogers vs. Conway
7 p.m. Friday
2024 AAA Class 7A high school football bracket
Second-round matchups
El Dorado vs. Greenwood
7 p.m. Friday
Mountain Home vs. Catholic
7 p.m. Friday
Lake Hamilton vs. Benton
7 p.m. Friday
Shiloh Christian vs. Van Buren
7 p.m. Friday
2024 AAA Class 6A high school football bracket
Second-round matchups
Valley View vs. Morrilton
7 p.m. Friday
Parkview vs. Maumelle
7 p.m. Friday
Robinson vs. Lakeside
7 p.m. Friday
Farmington vs. Camden Fairview
7 p.m. Friday
2024 AAA Class 5A high school football bracket
Second-round matchups
Dardanelle vs. Prairie Grove
7 p.m. Friday
Arkadelphia vs. Gentry
7 p.m. Friday
Heber Springs vs. Southside
7 p.m. Friday
Monticello vs. Hamburg
7 p.m. Friday
Clinton vs. Mills University
7 p.m. Friday
Warren vs. Pocahontas
7 p.m. Friday
Elkins vs. Mena
7 p.m. Friday
Malvern vs. Highland
7 p.m. Friday
2024 AAA Class 4A high school football bracket
Second-round matchups
Bismarck vs. Atkins
7 p.m. Friday
Osceola vs. Charleston
7 p.m. Friday
Fordyce vs. Jessieville
7 p.m. Friday
Booneville vs. Mayflower
7 p.m. Friday
Glen Rose vs. Dumas
7 p.m. Friday
Mansfield vs. Newport
7 p.m. Friday
Salem vs. Prescott
7 p.m. Friday
Rivercrest vs. Rison
7 p.m. Friday
2024 AAA Class 3A high school football bracket
Second-round matchups
Murfreesboro vs. Mount Ida
7 p.m. Friday
East Poinsett County vs. Bigelow
7 p.m. Friday
Conway Christian vs. Des Arc
7 p.m. Friday
Carlisle vs. Junction City
7 p.m. Friday
2024 AAA Class 2A high school football bracket
2024 AAA 8-man high school football bracket
—
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— Mike Swanson | swanson@scorebooklive | @sblivesports
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