Arkansas

How Arkansas and Missouri compare at each position

Published

1 year ago

November 24, 2023

How Arkansas and Missouri compare at each position

FAYETTEVILLE — Below is a position-by-position breakdown of Arkansas and Missouri ahead of their 3 p.m. matchup in Reynolds Razorback Stadium:

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

Brady Cook (221-330-6, 3,077 yards, 18 TDs) has had a big senior season with a 3-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 159.7 pass efficiency rating that is fifth in the SEC, 14th in the FBS. He has also been a solid scrambler and strong red-zone run option with 239 rush yards, 7 TDs and 2.7 yards per carry. Highly-regarded backup Sam Horn (3-5-1, 54 yards, 1 TD) has played only sparingly.

KJ Jefferson (188-294-8, 2,105 yards, 19 TDs) is completing 63.9% of his passes with his highest interception rate in the worst statistical season of his career. His 140.0 passing efficiency is ninth in the SEC, 53rd in the country. He has a team-high 432 rush yards with 2 TDs and 2.7 yards per carry. Jacolby Criswell (5-7-0, 47 yards, 2 TDs, 67 rush yards) has directed TD drives in 2 of his 3 appearances.

Advantage — Missouri

Running backs

Cody Schrader (220-1,272, 12 TDs, 5.8 ypc) is having an All-SEC season, as the 5-9, 214-pounder leads the SEC and ranks sixth in the FBS in rushing. The former walk-on is a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy. He has 191 receiving yards. His 205 rush yards and 116 receiving yards vs. Tennessee made him the first SEC player to hit the 200-100 marks in a game. Nathaniel Peat (68-288, 2 TDs, 4.2 ypc) is the top backup.

The resurgence of junior Dominique Johnson (26-112, 1 TD, 4.3 ypc) and the emergence of freshman Isaiah Augustave (20-122, 6.1) last week has been one of the more uplifting stories from a tough year, after the Hogs lost Raheim Sanders (62-209, 2) and Rashod Dubinion (82-260, 1) to injuries. AJ Green (63-312, 2) remains the top rusher in the tailback room. Screen passes to backs could loom large today.

Advantage — Missouri

Receivers/tight ends

Luther Burden (77 catches, 1,142 yards, 8 TDs) made a fourth-and-17 catch last week that saved Missouri’s bacon. He is third in the SEC, eighth in the FBS in receiving yardage. Transfers Theo Wease (44-624, 6) and Mookie Cooper (34-429) have been key complementary pass catchers. TEs Brett Norfleet (14-163, 1), a 6-7, 250-pound freshman, and Tyler Stephens (5-49) are rugged blockers.

Andrew Armstrong (52-724, 4, 13.9 ypc) made a couple of key third-down receptions last week. He and Isaac TeSlaa (32-317, 2, 9.9) have been the mainstays in the unit. Tyrone Broden (15-109, 3), Jaedon Wilson (15-199, 2) and Isaiah Sategna (14-127, 2) all had TD catches last week. TEs Nathan Bax (3-26), Francis Sherman (1-8) and Var’keyes Gumms (2-27) emerged after injuries.

Advantage — Missouri

Line

The Tigers have experience and muscle in its front, led by left-side graduate seniors in LT Javon Foster and LG Xavier Delgado (6-4, 329), the reigning SEC O-lineman of the week. Foster is questionable this week. C Connor Tollison and RT Armand Mambou are both true sophomores, while RG Cam’Ron Johnson, a transfer from Houston, is a true junior. The group averages 6-4, 314 pounds.

The Hogs have been searching for health and the right combos all year. The unit of LT Devon Manuel, LG Brady Latham, C Beaux Limmer, RG Josh Braun and RT Ty’Kieast Crawford created space for a season-high rush 323 yards last week, though there were a few TFLs and moderate QB pressure from the Florida International front. LT Andrew Chamblee has made 8 starts this year and RT Patrick Kutas (ankle) has made 9.

Advantage — Missouri

DEFENSE

Line

DE Darius Robinson (39 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 4 hurries, 1 FF) will be tough to block at 6-5, 298. Junior DE Johnny Walker (37, 7.5, 4, 8, 2) is the only non-senior starter. Top DTs are Realus George (20, 1.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 hurry), Jayden Jernigan (17, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks), Josh Landry (32, 2.5 TFL) and Kristian Williams (17, 2.5, 2 FF, 1 FR). DE Nyles Gaddy (20, 3 sacks) adds to the depth.

DE Landon Jackson (42, 13.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 2 hurries) added 2 half-sacks last week. Trajan Jeffcoat (16, 8.5, 4, 4) will face his former team. DTs Cam Ball (27, 0.5 sacks), Taurean Carter (24, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks), Anthony Booker (17, 2 TFL, 1 hurry), Eric Gregory (16, 2.5, 1, 4 hurries), Keivie Rose (14, 3.5, 2.5) and DEs John Morgan (10, 2 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 FF), Zach Williams (9) and Nico Davillier (10, 3.5, 1) all contribute.

Advantage — Arkansas

Linebackers

The Tigers are banged up here. Ty’Ron Hopper (55, 6 TFL, 3 sacks, 6 hurries, 3 PBU), a 6-2, 230-pound bruiser and ex-Florida player, is a Butkus Award finalist who is questionable today, as is 6-1, 228-pound MLB Chuck Hicks (43, 6.5, 1, 1 PBU, 1 hurry, 1 FR), a Wyoming transfer. Tristan Newson (26, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 hurry) and Dameon Wilson (1) might draw more playing time against the Razorbacks.

Antonio Grier (30, 1 INT, 1 FR) got a starting nod last week over leading tackler Jaheim Thomas (87, 6.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 5 hurries, 2 PBU) after a rough tackling game vs. Auburn. Chris Paul (67, 5.5, 2, 1, 1) has leveled out after and up-and-down start to the year. Grier and freshman Brad Spence (16, 1.5 TFL, 1 FR) have TDs on interception returns. Jordan Crook (24, 1 sack, 1 FF) posted 2 half-sacks last week.

Advantage — Arkansas

Secondary

The CB combo of juniors Kris Abrams-Draine (47, 2.5 TFL, 4 INT, 12 PBU, 1 FF) and Ennis Rakestraw (35, 1.5, 4 PBU, 1 FF) is one of the SEC’s best. Senior safeties Joseph Charleston (58, 4 PBU, 3 hurries, 1 FF), the team tackles leader, and JC Carlies (50, 2.5, 2 INT, 3 PBU, 1 FR) are physical hitters. Star is manned by Daylan Carnell (45, 5, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 6 PBU, 5 hurries) and Tre’Vez Johnson (35, 1).

S Alfahiym Walcott (55, 3 INT, 2 PBU) is coming off a huge game. Jayden Johnson (55, 1.5 TFL, 3 PBU, 1 FR) and Hudson Clark (46, 3.5, 3, 1) also play safety. Dwight McGlothern (16, 3 TFL, 3 INT, 6 PBU) is an ace when focused and healthy. Lorando Johnson (27, 4, 1 INT, 3 PBU) and Kee’yon Stewart (10, 1 hurry) started last week with Jaylon Braxton (20, 8 PBU, 1 INT, 1 FR) and Jaheim Singletary (14, 4 PBU) ailing.

Advantage — Missouri

Special teams

PK Harrison Mevis (22 of 28 FG, 37 of 38 PAT) is coming off another game-winner as he did vs. Hogs in 2020. Mevis has 40 touchbacks on 69 kickoffs (58%). Luke Bauer (42.1) and Riley Williams (40.5) have split punting duties. Luther Burden (10.0) has returned only six punts. The Tigers have mixed up their kickoff return men, with five guys averaging 19.4 yards.

PK Cam Little (20 of 24 FG, 31 of 31 PAT) continues to climb the UA charts, though he had a pair of misses last week. His touchback rate is 85% on kickoffs (51 of 60). Max Fletcher (47.4) has had a big sophomore year, ranking third in the SEC, seventh nationally. Return man Isaiah Sategna (22.5 KOR, 12.9 PR, 1 TD) had one of his better games last week.

Advantage — Arkansas

Intangibles

The Tigers, with a shot at a New Years Six bowl bid and a 10-win season, will have to get emotionally re-focused after the mania of their last-minute scoring drive to beat Florida. Perhaps they were saving the hype for the Battle Line game. It’s very important to Eli Drinkwitz for his team to play well in his home state against the Hogs, with whom he interviewed in December 2019 before Sam Pittman won the job.

What does the vote of confidence for 2024 by AD Hunter Yurachek for Coach Sam Pittman mean to the head space of the players, coaches and fans? Gauging the spirit level of the Razorbacks has been difficult. The enthusiasm in road games at LSU and Alabama was strangely lacking in home losses to Mississippi State and Auburn. This Thanksgiving weekend rivalry has clearly meant more to Mizzou.

Advantage — Missouri

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Arkansas

Viewer pictures: The Natural State transforms into a winter wonderland

Published

4 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Viewer pictures: The Natural State transforms into a winter wonderland

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A winter storm rolled into Arkansas Thursday and brought with it snow to the majority of western and central Arkansas.

Many from around the Natural State sent in pictures of their area covered in snow.

Courtesy: Greg Harrison, Little Rock
Courtesy: Mark Cover, Little Rock
Courtesy: Mark Burfeind, Hot Springs
Courtesy: Terrell and Yolanda Moseley, Traskwood
Courtesy: Stella Harthcock, Little Rock
Courtesy: Res, Beaver Lake
Courtesy: Steve Barnett, Hot Springs
Courtesy: Bud Hughes, Hot Springs
Courtesy: John Webb, Conway
Courtesy: Shelly Zuber, Paron

Though Arkansas is already full of natural beauty, there’s something about the state covered in snow that makes it even more of a winter wonderland.

Several kids from around the state got out and took advantage of the day off of school by throwing snowballs, digging up the snow, sledding and of course making snow angels.

Courtesy: Jack Moore, Little Rock
Courtesy: Nikiya Simpson, Benton
Courtesy: Drew Griffin, Hot Springs
Courtesy: Mark Edwards, Little Rock Air Force Base

Many who got out in the snow had enough accumulated to make snow men.

Share your snow day pictures at KARK.com/winter-pics.

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Arkansas

Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield Lays Off About 75 Workers, Reports $100M Loss

Published

12 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield Lays Off About 75 Workers, Reports 0M Loss

The Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield building in Little Rock (Michael Pirnique)

Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield sent layoff notices to 2% of its workforce — about 75 employees — on Thursday after reporting a loss of more than $100 million in the first three quarters of 2024, the state’s dominant health insurance carrier confirmed.

The Little Rock nonprofit had 3,375 employees as of April 2024, and its $3.14 billion in 2023 revenue put it at the top of Arkansas Business‘ most recent list of the state’s largest private companies.

But revenue in the first three quarters of 2024 was down by almost 7%, and the company (officially USAble Mutual) reported to the Arkansas Insurance Department a net loss of $100.5 million for those nine months. That compares with net income of $94.7 million for the same period in 2023, although the year finished with net income of just $13.2 million.

“The reduction in workforce was due to changing conditions in the market and increasing financial pressures primarily due to health care costs jumping to the highest levels in more than a decade,” Max Greenwood, an ABCBS spokeswoman, said in response to email questions Thursday afternoon.

ABCBS also has seen “large increases” in the use of all medical services, especially prescription drugs.

“These situations have caused necessary shifts in business strategy across the health care and health care insurance industries,” she said.

In addition, the insurance company lost tens of thousands of members as result of the state’s disenrollment of tens people on Medicaid in 2023.

As part of the Obama-era Medicaid expansion, the state pays private insurers to provide health insurance policies to qualifying Arkansans under the Arkansas Health & Opportunity for Me program, or ARHOME. This program had been known as the “private option” and Arkansas Works.

In January 2023, ABCBS had about 207,000 ARHome members. By December 2024, it was down to 108,729, Greenwood said.

“We’ve also seen a drastic increase in the claims amounts among our ARHome population,” she said. “Remember, since we were the first company who offered ARHome policies statewide when the program began, our block of members in that program is older and most likely unhealthier than what other carriers may be experiencing.”

ABCBS’ premium revenue fell during the first three quarters of 2024. It reported $2.2 billion premiums collected net of reinsurance through Sept. 30, a 4.8% drop from the same period in 2023.

The insurance company’s total members also fell from 630,444 on Dec. 31, 2023, to 598,492 on Sept. 30. The biggest drop came from its comprehensive individual plan. In that group, the total members fell nearly 17% to 132,596 members.

ABCBS also laid off 85 employees in January 2024. Those positions have not been refilled, Greenwood said.

She said it was too early to tell what the financial numbers will look like for the fourth quarter, which ended Dec. 31. No additional layoffs are planned at this time.

“Every executive vice president was asked to make reductions in their areas,” she said.

Greenwood said the insurance company has made several other budget-tightening moves for 2025. “We’ve reduced our budget by more than 7% including cuts to consulting and outside vendor costs, contract labor, software and equipment and facility costs,” she said. “We’ve also had to implement substantial premium increases on our small and large groups.”

Greenwood said the company has a strong balance sheet and has no concerns about its liquidity.

Founded in 1948, Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield offers health and dental insurance policies for individuals and families.

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Arkansas

Topping out ceremony for new $33.9 million Arkansas Tech University Ferguson Student Union set for Tuesday in Russellville | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Published

20 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Topping out ceremony for new .9 million Arkansas Tech University Ferguson Student Union set for Tuesday in Russellville | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

RUSSELLVILLE — Arkansas Tech University and Kinco Constructors will host a topping out ceremony for the $33.9 million Ferguson Student Union at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Attendance will be open to the public. Those in attendance will have an opportunity to sign the final steel beam before it is put in place atop the facility. Refreshments will be served in Chambers Cafeteria West Dining Room following the ceremony.

Construction on Ferguson Student Union on its Russellville campus began last year after the ATU Board of Trustees accepted the guaranteed maximum price for building the facility during its meeting on June 20.

Kinco Constructors submitted a final price of $33,946,865 for the project. That figure includes the cost of demolishing the Administration Building and Tomlinson Hall, constructing Ferguson Student Union and parking lot development on the south side of the new building

Parking for the event will be in the lot between Rothwell Hall and Doc Bryan Student Services Center with overflow in the Tucker Coliseum parking lot. Golf cart shuttles to and from the ceremony site will be available.

Those unable to attend the ceremony who wish to sign the steel beam may do so from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday through the ceremony at 2 p.m. that afternoon. The beam will be located on the east side of the construction site near Rothwell Hall and Dr. Robert Charles Brown and Jill Lestage Brown Hall.

Construction of Ferguson Student Union began in July 2024 and is scheduled to be complete in early 2026.

Located on the parcel of land between Chambers Cafeteria and the Hull Physical Education Building, Ferguson Student Union is named for ATU benefactors Cindi and Jimmy Ferguson.

Ferguson Student Union will provide student meeting spaces, lounge spaces for students to enjoy during their free time, fast casual dining, an e-sports gaming lab, basketball courts, a location to check out outdoor recreation gear and workout areas for cardiovascular and strength fitness training.

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