Arkansas

HawgBeat – The toss-up games Arkansas needs to win in 2024

Published

2 years ago

July 13, 2024

HawgBeat – The toss-up games Arkansas needs to win in 2024

With fall camp just a few weeks away for the Arkansas football team, HawgBeat will take a look at crucial “toss-up” games on the Razorbacks’ 2024 schedule.

Breakout Candidate: Cam Ball

These are matchups that — at least on paper — can go either way and will prove pivotal in the Hogs’ momentum and success throughout the year.

Arkansas football announces 2024 SEC Media Days attendees

HawgBeat has already pondered over the toughest home and road games that head coach Sam Pittman and the Razorbacks will have to face over the coming months, but now it’s time to analyze tilts against Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Mississippi State.

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Sept. 7: Arkansas at Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II may be the best RB in the country. (© Nathan J. Fish-USA TODAY Sports)

The Razorbacks and Cowboys haven’t met on the football field since 1980, when head coach Lou Holtz led Arkansas to a 33-20 victory over Oklahoma State in Little Rock. All-time, Arkansas leads the series 30-15-1 with the last five matchups going the Hogs’ way.

That trend will be tested in 2024, as the Cowboys are coming off a 10-4 overall 2023 season and return star running back Ollie Gordon II along with seventh-year quarterback Alan Bowman.

Both teams will likely be 1-0 heading into this Week 2 matchup after cupcake openers, and excitement should be high because a win for either program will kickstart momentum heading into conference play.

Looking back at 2023, Arkansas had a similar opportunity against BYU at home. The Hogs dropped that one 38-31 which then led to a six-game losing streak. It’s safe to say that head coach Sam Pittman can’t afford for that to happen again.

Can offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino get the wrinkles ironed out with quarterback Taylen Green for a tough Big 12 road tilt? The answer to that question may go a long way in determining what kind of success Arkansas will have in 2024.

Sept. 28: Arkansas vs. Texas A&M

Is Texas A&M QB Conner Weigman the real deal? (© Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports)

The Southwest Classic is set to end in 2024, but the Razorbacks and Aggies will battle it out one last time in this trophy game. Despite a nine-game winning streak from 2012-20 by Texas A&M, Arkansas still holds a 42-35-3 all-time advantage. The Aggies defeated the Hogs 34-22 in their 2023 faceoff.

New defensive-minded head coach Mike Elko will have to prepare for Petrino, who was Texas A&M’s playcaller under former head coach Jimbo Fisher last season. The storylines run deep in this matchup, and there’s no doubt it’ll be another nail-biting finish.

By this juncture, Texas A&M will have already played Notre Dame at home and Florida on the road, so the Aggies will be battle-tested. On the other hand, Arkansas will have met Oklahoma State and Auburn away from Fayetteville. Both programs will have tough “ex-SEC East” games the following week in Missouri (Texas A&M) and Tennessee (Arkansas) as well.

Quarterback Conner Weigman returns for his third season in College Station after tossing eight touchdowns with 979 yards in 2023. The former top-50 prospect will lead a new-look offense with playmakers like running back Le’Veon Moss and receivers Noah Thomas and Moose Muhammad III.

The Hogs may be 2-2 heading into this game, and dropping below .500 before the brunt of your SEC schedule is a recipe for disaster. Travis Williams’ defensive unit will need its legs for this end-of-an-era battle.

Oct. 26: Arkansas at Mississippi State

MSU safety Corey Ellington will give Arkansas fits in the secondary. (© Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports)

Everyone unfortunate enough to watch last season’s 7-3 offensive-lite edition of Arkansas-Mississippi State is hoping to see some fireworks in Starkville this year.

The Bulldogs hired Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby to run the show and the last few matchups in Mississippi have been higher scoring one way or another, so fans likely won’t see only 10 total points scored in this one.

Pittman and new offensive line coach Eric Mateos will meet against former Arkansas assistant Cody Kennedy, who will be coaching up a front line to protect starting quarterback Blake Shapen (Baylor).

Shapen didn’t put up gaudy numbers with the Bears, but he had a respectable 2,188-yard, 13-touchdown campaign with only three interceptions. Defensively, Mississippi State returns talented pass rusher De’Monte Russell and safety Corey Ellington, but that side will be different without former head coach Zach Arnett.

This is a game that Arkansas fans expect to win and it will probably be the easiest road matchup of the year. If the Hogs can’t get the Bulldogs in this 50-50 before facing the likes of Ole Miss, Texas and Missouri, it’ll be a rough November in Fayetteville.

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Arkansas

$21 million price tag set for Gentry Middle School classroom addition, new Pioneer Arena projects | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

4 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Press Room

million price tag set for Gentry Middle School classroom addition, new Pioneer Arena projects | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

$21 million price tag set for Gentry Middle School classroom addition, new Pioneer Arena projects | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette – Arkansas’ Best News Source

8 hours, 38 minutes ago

Kayla Rupp

Gentry Middle School on May 14, 2025.
(File photo/Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer)

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Arkansas

5-Star Center Obinna Ekezie Jr. Reveals MCBB Commitment Between Kentucky, Louisville, Arkansas, More

Published

16 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Press Room

5-Star Center Obinna Ekezie Jr. Reveals MCBB Commitment Between Kentucky, Louisville, Arkansas, More

One of the top basketball prospects in the class of 2027 has made his commitment.

Per On3’s Joe Tipton, 5-star center Obinna Ekezie Jr. is reclassifying to the class of 2026 and will play for Louisville this fall.

Ekezie is considered to be the No. 4 overall player and the No. 2 center in his class by 247Sports’ composite rankings. The Orlando, Florida, native is also the No. 2 player in his state.

The 7-footer had Arkansas, BYU, Kentucky and Maryland in his final group alongside Louisville, but ultimately went with Pat Kelsey and the Cardinals.

“I chose Louisville because it has everything I need in terms of winning and development. I have a great opportunity to develop and showcase my game at both the 4 and 5 alongside Flory Bidunga,” he told Tipton. “Louisville already feels like home to me and we’re going to be an incredibly competitive team. We’re striving to win a National Championship.”

Ekezie, of course, has dreams of playing at the professional level, and he felt moving up to the class of 2026 would help him reach those goals.

“After my high school season, I evaluated the rewards and risks and felt college was the right move for my development,” he said. “I get to practice every day against elite competition and develop at a much faster rate. I want to compete at the highest level and this gives me the best opportunity to grow as a player.”

The Cardinals have had a successful offseason, landing Kansas transfer center Flory Bidunga, Oregon transfer point guard Jackson Shelstad, Iowa transfer forward Alvaro Folgueiras, Arkansas transfer wing Karter Knox and more.

Now, Louisville will add even more talent in Ekezie.

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Arkansas

Arkansas Derby winner Renegade finishes 2nd in Kentucky Derby

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas Derby winner Renegade finishes 2nd in Kentucky Derby

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Renegade, the Arkansas Derby winner, finished second Saturday in the Kentucky Derby, as more than 30,000 fans gathered at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort for the final day of the racing season.

The race often called the “fastest two minutes in sports” drew strong reactions from the Oaklawn crowd, where fans watched together as one of their own track’s top horses competed on racing’s biggest stage.

Renegade entered the Derby as one of the favorites after winning the Arkansas Derby in March. The horse’s second-place finish fell just short of a win, disappointing some bettors but still energizing the crowd.

“I’m cheering for Renegade, that’s where my money’s at,” said Chris Ho, Oaklawn’s vice president of marketing.

Fans across the venue said the day was about more than just the outcome of a single race, as Oaklawn wrapped up its racing season with large crowds and a festive atmosphere.

“I’m having a blast, losing some money but having some fun,” said attendee Zachary Willmuth.

The event brought together both longtime racing fans and newcomers experiencing the tradition for the first time.

“I have an aunt who had a derby party every year, so I went every year,” said first-time Oaklawn visitor Jayna Monical. “This is the closest I’m going to be to the derby.”

Others said attending races at Oaklawn has been a longstanding tradition.

“As soon as I got my driver’s license at 16, I started coming here,” said Robert Trammell. “I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Despite some losing tickets, the crowd remained lively throughout the day, with cheering and celebrations echoing across the track during both the Kentucky Derby watch and Oaklawn’s final races.

For some, the experience ensured a return trip.

“I think it’s exciting,” Monical said. “We have a whole crew that’s coming next year.”

Saturday marked the end of Oaklawn’s racing season, closing out months of competition in Hot Springs.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.

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