Arkansas
‘Play With a Chip!’ Ole Miss Football Wins ‘Statement Game’ Over Arkansas
The No. 19 Ole Miss Rebels put offensive fireworks on display in their 63-31 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday, and the players credit attitude and preparation for that result.
After record-setting games by both quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Jordan Watkins, both players were made available to the media where they emphasized the work they put in leading up to this weekend.
The Rebels (7-2, 3-2 SEC) needed to win on Saturday to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive ahead of a massive matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs each week. That could be stressful for some teams, but Dart believes it has led to a certain positive attitude each week during practice.
“Our backs are against the wall each week,” Dart said. “We know that, and we understand the expectation that we have for ourselves. We play with a chip [on our shoulder]. Honestly, we feel like each and every week, we’ve got nothing to lose now. We’re going to go give it our all. I thought we did an amazing job of preparing this week, and it really showed up today.”
After the game, head coach Lane Kiffin revealed that he told his team this week that they are one of the best squads in the country, when mistakes don’t derail their performances. Watkins agreed with that statement, and he believes the Rebels recaptured some of the nation’s attention with Saturday’s win.
“I think so, and I think this was a really big statement game for us,” Watkins said. “Coach Kiffin preached it all week, especially last night in the team meeting. We were able to come out here and show the country what we can do. There’s a lot of talk, and just being able to persevere over it and come out on top today, I think we woke a lot of people up.”
Now, Ole Miss will shift its focus to the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs who come to Oxford next week. Georgia claimed a win over Florida on Saturday, and it has one loss on the year that came at the hands of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Next week is obviously a huge test for the Rebels, but it’s just another match up in game-by-game mentality.
“Coming into this game, we had to win this game to get to the next one,” Dart said. “That’s where our mindset was. Walking off the field, we all understand what’s to come next week, and we’re excited for the opportunity.”
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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