Arkansas
Hogs’ in Trouble Saturday if Quarterback Lacks Confidence
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two quarterbacks currently on the opposite ends of the spectrum will face off at Razorback Stadium Saturday night with Tennessee’s undefeated season on the line.
Volunteers’ star quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been on a tear for much of the season as a redshirt freshman completing 61-of-88 passes for 892 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. The 6-foot-6, 215 pound passer has benefited from a dominant run game that averages 290 yards per game which leads the SEC and is No. 4 nationally.
Since starting off white hot against FCS Chattanooga when he passed for 314 yards in the first half, Iamaleava hasn’t been nearly as efficient. He hasn’t passed for more than 211 yards in a game while facing a Razorbacks pass defense ranks No. 9 in league play giving up 224 yards per game.
“[Nico Iamaleava] is really good, mature,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said Monday. “It’s just like Marcel Reed. Reed did what he needed to do. He didn’t turn the football over. I’m not comparing them, I’m saying Nico is that — he does what he needs to do. He’s got a lot of opportunity to shine in his offense, he doesn’t make mistakes and then he does it at a high, high, high level. He’s scary because he’s not going to make mistakes and he’s going to run the offense to a perfection. For a young guy like that, he’s just really impressive.”
Pittman mentioned that Oklahoma coach Brent Venables implemented an impressive game plan that slowed down the Volunteers humming offensive attack. The Sooners’ defense limited Tennessee to 25 points and two touchdowns in Norman two weeks ago after averaging nearly 64 points per game prior.
“I thought it was a great game plan, but as I say, once Tennessee got ahead there, they went primarily to running the football,” Pittman said. “They were ahead. They thought their defense was playing well. I think Oklahoma was struggling a little bit offensively and a lot of that was because Tennessee is really good on defense. Yes, there’s certainly things that we looked at that Coach Venables and his staff that he did there that are intriguing.”
Much of Oklahoma’s game plan was to keep Iamaleava uncomfortable and out of rhythm in the passing game. In 25 pressured dropbacks this season, he has completed only 4-of-11 passes for 37 yards and interception along with five sacks.
The Razorbacks are a disruptive bunch when able to get into the backfield with 10 sacks and 26 tackles for loss. The plan against the Aggies’ Marcel Reed was to keep pressure on him to moderate success finishing with three sacks, but only one hurry.
Arkansas’ quarterback situation isn’t in too good of a spot with Taylen Green’s lack of confidence. Pittman and offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino need to figure out exactly what Green needs or it could be another long night at home.
“I think we’ve had so many pressures that we’ve got a lot of problems, we’ve got a confidence problem,” Pittman said. “We have a quarterback that’s not confident. There’s times when he can stand in the pocket that there is one there. There’s times when he stays in the pocket and he gets hit. So probably in between. And we tried a lot of quick passing game as well.”
There may be an opportunity for Green to have a little more time in the pocket compared to recent weeks as Tennessee doesn’t get to the quarterback as often. The Volunteers front has only recorded seven sacks on the season (No. 15 SEC), but have been active in tackles for loss with 31 (No. 7 SEC).
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After a cool/chilly morning that started in the 40s and 50s, Tuesday will warm to the upper 70s and low 80s with nothing but sunshine all day long.
There will be a weak front passing through Arkansas on Wednesday. There will briefly be a few clouds along the time the front actually passes through. But once the front clears, it will once again become sunny.
Starting Friday and lasting through the weekend and into next week a strong south wind will set up. That will warm Arkansas into the mid and upper 80s and introduce a higher level of humidity. It will feel a little like Summer this weekend. Rain chances will return to Central Arkansas starting on Sunday.
With a big upper-level system and cold front approaching early next week, the rain and thunderstorm chance will go up Monday, Monday night and Tuesday. Some strong to severe storms may occur Monday evening. The front will become stationary on Tuesday which will prolong the rainy period and overall help the drought situation Arkansas is facing.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Purple is the color of the month in Arkansas, and Lupus Awareness Month is bringing a busy stretch of events, including a mayoral proclamation and a smooth jazz concert featuring acclaimed saxophonist Merlon Devine.
A proclamation for Lupus Awareness Month is set for 6 p.m. in North Little Rock, with Mayor Hardwick expected to present it. Organizers encouraged lupus warriors and supporters to come out.
Anita Boone, President of the Lupus Foundation of Arkansas Inc. and a former lupus warrior, described the day-to-day reality of living with the disease: “One minute you’re feeling amazing, the next minute your body is saying we can’t do this.”
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, described during the interview as a condition where the immune system attacks the body “inside out.” It can affect organs throughout the body, including the brain, lungs, heart and kidneys. Boone also shared personal impacts, saying, “I am losing, actually, ear from hearing, just because of lupus.”
The Lupus Foundation of Arkansas is also inviting the community to a Lupus Smooth Jazz Concert this Sunday, May 17, at 3:30 at The Space with Grace event venue, 2005 Main St., North Little Rock.
Gale Davis, committee chair for the Lupus Smooth Jazz Concert shared details about the concert.
Davis said guests are encouraged to “dress to impress,” though formalwear isn’t required. The event will include a photo backdrop, light hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and sponsored tables aimed at networking. It’s also a chance for people to meet other lupus warriors, learn more about the foundation’s work, and watch a video presentation highlighting events from the past year.
The featured artist, Merlon Devine, was described as an acclaimed saxophonist known for a soulful, smooth jazz sound, with a career spanning more than two decades and performances across the country and around the world. He’s also an Arkansas native who attended Little Rock Central High School. He now lives in Southern Maryland, outside Washington, D.C.
Davis said Devine’s connection to lupus is personal. She said his father had lupus and has since died, though he didn’t die from lupus. They also said Divine had a sister who died from lupus in 1981 and that he currently has two sisters living with lupus.
She also shared that, according to his doctors, Devine was born with acute asthma and underdeveloped lungs. His latest single, released last year, is called “Mercy.”
Tickets must be purchased online and will not be sold at the door. They’re available online by clicking on the flyer. Prices are $40 for individual tickets, or $400 for a table of nine, with an option to sponsor a table.
Organizers also noted another proclamation is planned for the Little Rock side with Mayor Frank Scott tomorrow, and encouraged people to follow the Lupus Foundation of Arkansas on social media for updates.
The concert will take place this Sunday at the Space With Grace Venue in North Little Rock.
ASHLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — An Arkansas man died after crashing a dirt bike on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Arkansas man, formerly from Newaygo, crashed into a tree while riding a dirt bike on private property in Ashland Township near Grant on Sunday before 2:30 p.m., according to Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers.
Emergency responders tried to save his life but he died at the scene.
Troopers are still investigating but do not suspect drugs or alcohol as factors in the crash.
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MSP did not initially release any additional information.
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