Arkansas

Rex Nelson’s Arkansas college football rankings: Arkansas State, UCA, UAPB, others play this week | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

2 years ago

October 8, 2024

Rex Nelson’s Arkansas college football rankings: Arkansas State, UCA, UAPB, others play this week |
Arkansas Democrat Gazette

The first Razorback victory at home over a Top 5 team since that 1999 win over Tennessee was sweet.

Yes, I had a 33-0 record on the picks following the first five weeks of the season. Yes, I picked Tennessee to win. But the perfect record had already been ruined earlier in the day when UCA lost to Abilene Christian and UAM lost at East Central Oklahoma.

I was happy for Sam Pittman, a man who came into the game with a 6-16 record in one-score contests; a man facing growing fan discontent. What you see is what you get with Pittman, and he deserved this moment. It was on the big stage — an ABC prime time game with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Kirk’s dog in the house.

Arkansas is 4-2 overall (that could easily be 6-0) and 2-1 in the Southeastern Conference. Alabama and Georgia, among others, have the same number of SEC losses at this point.

And don’t listen to those Tennessee sympathizers who want you to believe that this was some kind of fluke.

Consider the fact that Arkansas outgained Tennessee 434-332.

Consider the fact that the Razorback defense held Tennessee 40 points below its FBS-best scoring average of 54 points.

Consider the fact that the Hog defense held Tennessee 233 yards below its total offense average of 565 yards.

Consider the fact that Arkansas led in time of possession 35:35 to 24:25.

That’s no fluke. That’s lining up and beating the Vols. Arkansas now gets a well-deserved open date before hosting LSU in Fayetteville on Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. The game will be on ESPN. LSU will be coming off what promises to be a tough battle this Saturday against Ole Miss.

Last week’s 7-3 record makes the season record 40-3. You Razorback fans should use this open date to get out and see one of the other college teams in the state. There are some good ones out there. Here are the picks for this week’s games:

Texas State 31, Arkansas State 29 — The Red Wolves picked up an 18-16 victory over South Alabama in the Sun Belt Conference opener when Clune Van Andel drilled a 34-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining in the game. It was one of four Van Andel field goals on a night when the Red Wolf offense struggled. Both ASU and Texas State are 3-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play. Texas State’s victories have been by scores of 34-27 over Lamar, 49-10 over Texas-San Antonio and 38-17 over Troy. The losses were by scores of 31-28 to Arizona State and 40-39 to Sam Houston State. I’ll give a slight advantage to Texas State since the game is in San Marcos.

UCA 28, West Georgia 17 — The Bears had moved up to No. 5 and No. 7 in the two main FCS polls before going to Abilene, Texas, and losing 41-34 to Abilene Christian. UCA trailed by 14 points at halftime. Abilene Christian is now 4-2 overall and 3-0 in conference play. The Bears fell to 4-2 and 1-1. West Georgia comes to Conway this week with a 1-4 record. The lone victory was 38-29 over Samford in the season opener. That has been followed by loses of 38-24 to Abilene Christian, 26-7 to Eastern Kentucky, 25-16 to North Alabama and 20-16 to Austin Peay.

Prairie View A&M 14, UAPB 8 — The Golden Lions get national television exposure on ESPN2 Friday night when they host Prairie View A&M. UAPB fell to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in the SWAC with a 38-28 loss at Alcorn State. UAPB led 14-0 in the first quarter of that game. Prairie View is 2-4. The wins were by scores of 37-31 over Northwestern State of Louisiana and 36-34 over Grambling. The losses were by scores of 27-9 to Texas Southern, 40-0 to Michigan State, 31-24 to Southern University of Baton Rouge and 56-28 to Incarnate Word of San Antonio.

Harding 69, Northwestern Oklahoma 13 — The defending national champions from Harding get stronger with each passing week. The victim this week will be 1-4 Northwestern Oklahoma. Harding, 5-0, is ranked No. 1 in the nation in NCAA Division II by the American Football Coaches Association, and I don’t think there’s a close No. 2. Harding defeated 2-3 Southwestern Oklahoma 57-3 as quarterback Cole Keylon passed for 130 yards, unusually high for Harding’s option offense. Keylon ran for two touchdowns and passed for three more. The Bisons led 36-3 at halftime. As usual, they rested the starters in the second half.

Ouachita 34, East Central Oklahoma 15 — Ouachita improved to 5-0 with a 25-9 victory on the road against Southeastern Oklahoma, the best of the six Oklahoma teams in the Great American Conference. The Tiger offense struggled at times, but the defense played well throughout the game. East Central comes to Arkadelphia this Saturday with a 1-4 record. Ouachita moved up to No. 10 in the AFCA poll. It’s nice to have two of the Top 10 teams in the country from Arkansas.

Southeastern Oklahoma 24, UAM 21 — Both teams are 2-3, but Southeastern appears to be the more talented squad. Arkansas’ GAC teams are now 17-1 against the Oklahoma teams. The first loss came Saturday when UAM fell 42-17 to a previously winless East Central Oklahoma squad. East Central jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the second quarter and never looked back. UAM won its first two games of the season and has now lost three consecutive games. Last year, the Bolls Weevils got off to a 2-0 start and then didn’t win another game.

Arkansas Tech 32, Southwestern Oklahoma 30 — The Wonder Boys are 3-2. Southwestern Oklahoma is 2-3. Advantage Wonder Boys since the game is in Russellville. Tech made the long trip to Alva, Okla., last Saturday and came home with a 44-21 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma. The Wonder Boys jumped out to a 31-14 halftime lead.

Henderson 46, Southern Nazarene 16 — The Reddies moved to 4-1 with a 52-7 thrashing of 1-4 Oklahoma Baptist in Arkadelphia. Jody Easter returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for a Reddie touchdown. Quarterback Andrew Edwards was 15 of 21 passing for 242 yards with a career-high six touchdowns. This week’s game is on the road, but an 0-5 Southern Nazarene team won’t present much of a challenge.

Southern Arkansas 43, Oklahoma Baptist 10 — The 4-1 Muleriders have a Thursday night game against 1-4 Oklahoma Baptist. SAU posted a 49-21 win over Southern Nazarene last Saturday as Judd Barton threw three touchdown passes. Barton was 25 of 31 passing for 332 yards.

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Arkansas

DeGray Lake Resort State Park offers a week’s worth of summer fun in Arkansas

Published

2 hours ago

June 26, 2026

Press Room

DeGray Lake Resort State Park offers a week’s worth of summer fun in Arkansas

Bismarck, Ark. (KATV) — If your idea of a perfect summer getaway includes a clear lake, plenty of elbow room and enough activities to keep the whole family busy for days, DeGray Lake might be calling your name.

In the run-up to America’s 250th birthday, DeGray Lake is being highlighted as Arkansas’ only resort state park — a place designed to be a one-stop vacation spot where guests can settle in and stay put.

“We are Arkansas’s only resort state park, and with that, we have enough to keep a guest and their family busy for really a whole week,” a park representative said.

The park’s setup is meant to keep everything in one place, from the lodge and pool to the restaurant and swim beach. Visitors can also find trails, four stables, golf, disc golf, fling golf and interpretive programs held every day during the summertime.

“So really, the whole package is designed so that people, they would never leave, never need to leave the park while they’re here on vacation, they can be here all week,” the representative said. “We’ve got your food, we’ve got your lodging, we’ve got plenty to keep you busy and having a good time. That’s what makes us Arkansas’s only resort state park.”

Water sports are a big summertime draw, and the park also offers a range of ways to stay overnight — whether you want comfort, something in-between, or a more traditional camping experience.

“If you like getting in the outdoors, but you don’t like staying in the outdoors, you can come stay in our comfy lot,” the representative said, noting the lodge has 96 rooms. For a “step up from camping,” the park also has three yurts available, described as a more glamorous option with bunk beds, a sky dome and a door that locks. Campsites are also available, ranging from RV hookups to simple tent sites.

For anglers and lake lovers, the park representative said the fishing is great and the water is clear, with options that include line fishing, spear fishing and scuba diving.

“It’s a beautiful lake,” the representative said. “We’re nestled right here in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains.”

The park is described as a little off the beaten path — but that’s part of the charm.

“I tell people all the time it’s kind of like the best kept secret, because you look out there at that lake, not too busy,” the representative said.

For more information on planning a visit, click here.

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Arkansas

Arkansas Governor joins national A.I. workforce initiative

Published

12 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas Governor joins national A.I. workforce initiative

LITTLE ROCK, AR (KATV) — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has joined a new national artificial intelligence initiative that launched Thursday, June 25.

RAISE US, started by former Governor Eric Holcomb of Indiana and Gina Raimondo, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce is a nonpartisan national organization that will partner with governors, employers, workers and training organizations to help the workforce transition to an AI economy.

“As artificial intelligence transforms America’s economy, we have one clear message: technology should empower people, not replace them. By leveraging our Arkansas LAUNCH initiative, and with the resources and expertise provided by RAISE US, Arkansas will turn that mission into reality. We want the Natural State to be a leader on education, workforce training, and up-skilling, and this new partnership gives us the tools we need to build a model for the entire nation.”

The organization will design and pilot incentives to retrain workers, new approaches to support job transitions, and training models tied to employer demand.

RAISE US launches with more than two dozen American companies and philanthropies and initial state partnerships in Connecticut, Maryland and Utah.

“America has a technology strategy for leading the global AI competition. It does not yet have a people strategy — and we cannot lead without one,” Raimondo, who will serve as CEO of RAISE US, said.

“If we build the best AI systems in the world and leave millions of Americans behind, we won’t have won anything; we’ll have automated our own decline. I believe AI will create new jobs and industries over time, but the transition could be disruptive, and it’s already underway. We shouldn’t fearmonger, but we can’t pretend our training and worker support systems are ready either. It’s time for innovative and practical solutions. This moment demands ambition, urgency, and creativity. We’ve assembled the country’s top companies, best economists, and bipartisan governors at a scale rarely seen — all to advance new ideas and incentives, pilot them with governors and business, and scale what works.”

Governor Sanders is partnering with RAISE US to support Arkansas LAUNCH, an AI-powered career navigation platform that connects students and jobseekers to personalized learning and employer-linked career pathways.

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