FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman a lot has been talked about the state of his program following a 4-8 season in 2023. In need of a shift in culture, confidence and leadership, the blend of returning players, transfers and new blood from high school ranks is as now is good of time for a reset as any.
Pittman met with reporters at SEC Media Days to share his plan for turning his Arkansas program around. One phrase that stuck out was his team needing to “embrace the Hog.”
“Which means we need to be tough, we need to be together, consistent, accountable, and do it with pride,” Pittman said. “We’ve accomplished that this summer and through spring ball. Every setback is an opportunity for a comeback. We embrace that mindset.
“I believe in our players, staff and our state. I believe in our direction that we’re heading in and where we’re going to rise to the challenge for a great 2024 season.”
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That challenge will likely not be a College Football Playoff berth in December. Attaining bowl eligibility status will go a long way to bring confidence back to Arkansas’ program.
Five of Arkansas’ losses last season were determine by one possession with three of those coming on the road against LSU, Ole Miss and Alabama. A flip in offensive philosophy compounded with leadership and belief of what’s being coached can help the Razorbacks win close games again.
Bobby Petrino’s return as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator was a major storyline when the regular season came to a close in November. The Razorbacks’ former head coach may understand embracing the Hog better than any other active coach in the country.
“[Petrino] loves the Hog,” Pittman said. “He likes to win. He likes to score points. I mentioned it before, I had Barry before that I could bump some head coaching questions off of. As I get older, it’s the questions aren’t as many as I get more years of being a head coach.
“But what I’ve got, it’s like a security blanket. I got Bobby there. I had Barry [Odom] there. I have Bobby there that I can run off. I’ll ask them a question, and I want their opinion, and they know it, and we’ll agree on it, or we won’t, but we’re both grown men, and if we do, we do, if we don’t, we don’t. We’ll move on down the road. But that’s been very beneficial to me, and I really like him, and I have a lot of respect for him. He spends more time in my office than anybody, and I apologize to him, but I say ‘Bobby come in,’ and I don’t know if he likes it or not, but I do make him talk to me a lot.”
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State Rep. Brian Evans, R-Cabot, the incoming speaker of Arkansas’ House of Representatives, answers a question during an interview at his L&L Freight Services office in Cabot on Dec. 2, 2024. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Staci Vandagriff)
CABOT — Arkansas’ next speaker of the house, Brian Evans, had planned to study law, a path that he hoped would lead one day to a career in politics.
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But instead, at the age of 23, Evans found himself at a truck stop in West Memphis, second-guessing a life choice he had made. With his bags packed, Evans said he had hesitated about taking the job at an Orlando, Fla.-based logistics company.
Sitting in his office in Cabot, Evans, 56, said he can vividly recall the moment. The sun was rising and he had a choice: Turn left and continue on to Florida, or turn right and head back home to the family farm in McCrory to “figure out what I was going to do in life.”
HUNTINGTON — Details of the crash that left a Greenwood High School student dead have been released by the Arkansas State Police.
Chloe Walters, 19, of Huntington was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu northbound on U.S. 71 in Huntington around 3:10 p.m. Thursday when the crash occurred, according to a fatal crash report from the State Police. The Malibu lost control and traveled into the southbound lane and was struck by a southbound 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Daran Stovall, 58, of El Paso, the report states.
A female minor passenger in Walters’ vehicle died, according to the report.
A social media post from the Greenwood School District states Walters’ sister, Cadence Walters, was killed in the crash.
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Chloe Walters and Stovall were both injured in the crash and taken to Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, according to the State Police.
The trooper investigating the crash reported the weather was rainy and the road wet at the time of the accident.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of Cadence and the ongoing medical situation with Chloe. Both students are active and well loved throughout the school community,” the School District’s post states. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Walters family during this incredibly difficult time. As a school community, we stand together to support them in every way possible.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the Walters family where those wishing to help may make donations. By Saturday afternoon, the page had raised $12,242 of a $20,000 goal with 198 donations received.
Greenwood High School counselors are available for students, staff and community members who need support, the district’s post states.
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Anyone needing assistance may email info@greenwoodk12.com or reach out to a school counselor, teacher or administrator through the School Status app, the post states.
Arkansas (7-6, 3-5 SEC) won its final game of the 2024 season with a 39-26 victory over Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl on Saturday behind a strong performance by quarterback Taylen Green.
The redshirt junior, who just wrapped up his first season with the Razorbacks, finished the game with 422 yards of total offense — 341 through the air and 81 on the ground. He ended the game tied with running back Rodney Hill as the Hogs’ leading rusher in the game and Green was named Liberty Bowl MVP for his efforts.
“I think it was a fast start,” Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said after the game. “(The defense) made a fourth down stop and then really the offense took over. Taylen took over. We have Taylen Green, a lot of teams don’t and it gives us opportunity to win.”
The Razorbacks started the game firing on all cylinders and scored on each of their first three possessions. Green was a key cog in that machine, as he scored the first touchdown of the game on a 12-yard rush. He followed that drive up by showcasing his arm with passes of 17 yards and 56 yards to wide receiver Issac TeSlaa, which set up a touchdown run by running back Braylen Russell on the goal line.
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Touchdown No. 3 of the first quarter came on a slant route to redshirt freshman receiver Dazmin James, who caught Green’s pass and took it 94 yards to the end zone — the longest pass play in Arkansas program history.
Texas Tech didn’t go down without a fight, though. The Red Raiders cut the lead to 24-19 by halftime, and Arkansas needed another spark. Cue Green again, who found running back Tyrell Reed Jr. alone and unguarded for a 43-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter.
“(Reed), he’s always ready,” Green said after the game. “He’s always in the back learning whether it’s from (Ja’Quinden Jackson) or from (Rashod Dubinion). From (Rodney Hill). He’s always taking things in, asking questions. When he had his opportunity to shine, he made the most of it.”
A native of Lewisville, Texas, Green only had one blemish on his stat line, as he was sacked in the end zone for a safety in the second quarter, but Pittman said afterward that a blocking miscue in the backfield led to the miscue.
Green’s 341 passing yards broke the previous Arkansas record in a bowl game, which was set by Bill Montgomery, who threw for 338 against Ole Miss in the 1970 Sugar Bowl.
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The former Boise State transfer also became the first Arkansas passer to eclipse 300 yards in a bowl game since Brandon Allen threw for 315 yards in the 2016 Liberty Bowl against Kansas State.
“I’m gonna take (the MVP trophy) to my parents’ crib,” Green said. “Shout out to my mom, shout out to my dad, shout out to my sisters, and we gonna celebrate.”
Arkansas football’s 2024 season has now come to a close. Up next, the Razorbacks will look to close out transfer portal season strong. Be sure to follow along at The Trough premium message board for updates on the offseason recruiting action.
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