Connect with us

Arkansas

Three Reasons Arkansas Fans Should Be Optimistic for This Season

Published

on

Three Reasons Arkansas Fans Should Be Optimistic for This Season


FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Ryan Silverfield generated plenty of headlines after arriving at Arkansas for a variety of reasons.

It’s possible some fans didn’t really care because he failed to win a conference championship at Memphis. Others immediately grew skeptical because of his “All In” tagline that reminds them of Chad Morris.

There’s a percentage of the Razorbacks fanbase who haven’t given him a fair shake going into his first season. While there is what seems to be a vocal minority that believe he will go 2-10, a good chunk of people have been receptive of him because he’s backed up what was promised to do in recruiting.

Advertisement

As talking season ramps up, here are three reasons fans can have a smidge of optimism as Silverfield starts his tenure at Arkansas.

Advertisement

Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson tries to jump the Texas A&M Aggies but loses a fumble that was returned to the other side of AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. | Ted McClenning-Hogs on SI Images

Past Few Years Have Seen Fumbles Way Too Much

Advertisement

The previous coaching regime produced plenty of good moments, but failed to capitilize on momentum often enough to elevate the program. That led to players not being dialed in on the field.

Whether it were turnovers, penalties, clock management or other game-altering decisions, Arkansas couldn’t get it done during critical moments.

There have been many instances through the years where Arkansas just needed a huge break, but failed to seize the opportunity. Countless losses to Texas A&M, Missouri, LSU, and Mississippi State were a result of ball security.

Think about the 2025 season, back-to-back weeks on the road against Ole Miss and Memphis, the Razorbacks were driving for the go-ahead score only to cough up the ball in crunch time. Then there was a blown second half leads against Auburn and Mississippi State due to turnovers or bad tackling.

Advertisement

Arkansas has lacked in the execution department far too long. Players have been talented enough over the past 14 years to get the program back on track, but it’s going to take a coach who accepts nothing but full effort each day to get this whole thing straight.

Advertisement

Being an improved team in situational football is fundamental but neccesary when it comes to establishing a winning culture.

“We’ll continue to implement situational football throughout spring,” Silverfield said last month. “I’ve kind of got a library of making sure we’re touching base on this stuff. Some of it can be so nuanced that you just say, ‘hey, this may be something worth talk about during OTAs or training camp.

“We’re going to get as much situational football, third down work, skelly, red zone stuff as we can throughout spring ball.”

Advertisement

Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Miguel Mitchell (24) breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Donovan Faupel (8) during the spring game at Razorback Stadium. | Brett Rojo-Imagn Images

Hogs Getting Defensive

There’s no reason to sugarcoat things in previous years, Arkansas was clearly passive when it came to coverage in the secondary.

Advertisement

Whether it was getting lost off a single move, or just letting a guy fly by on a go route, Silverfield knew major changes were in store to improve the Razorbacks defense.

Advertisement

While former defensive back Julian Neal proved serviceable on the backend in 2025, he couldn’t do it alone. Arkansas finished near the bottom nationally in pass defense, scoring defense and turnovers forced.

New defensive coordinator Ron Roberts focused on bringing in defensive backs who have history of forcing interceptions, fumbles and being engaged but disciplined open field tacklers. That’s an area the Razorbacks have struggled for several years.

It will be interesting to find out if inconsistent quarterback play is due to an improved secondary or KJ Jackson and AJ Hill are struggling to perform at the level needed in the SEC.

Advertisement

Arkansas Razorbacks fans cheer after a score against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs during the third quarter at Razorback Stadium. | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Friendly Home Schedule

Silverfield will be the first Arkansas coach since joining the SEC to play seven home games in the friendly confines of Razorback Stadium.

Advertisement

While some will say only two opponents on the schedule are beatable in North Alabama and Tulsa, there are other chances for Arkansas to re-establish homefield advantage this fall.

Advertisement

Week three gives Arkansas quite the test with Georgia in town, but other SEC opponents like Tennessee, Missouri, South Carolina, and LSU could give fans hope of a quick turnaround by scoring an upset or two.

Just paying attention to the minor details all while improving on defense can certainly be enough for the Razorbacks to steal a win here or there.

There were times last season if Arkansas players just gave a tad more effort, played with extra passion and discipline they could have avoided a few close losses.

Silverfield gets to start his tenure in Fayetteville without huge expectations, and build his team week by week throughout the season. That reason alone might be enough for fans to collectively get on board after all.

Advertisement

Hogs Feed:

Add us as a preferred source on Google



Source link

Advertisement

Arkansas

Washington isn’t watching Arkansas? Pete Buttigieg says it should be.

Published

on

Washington isn’t watching Arkansas? Pete Buttigieg says it should be.


What happens in Arkansas doesn’t always stay in Arkansas.

That was the message Friday night as former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveled to Little Rock to endorse Democratic congressional candidate Chris Jones, arguing the race for Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District may be drawing more attention than many political observers realize.

Speaking to supporters at the Dreamland Ballroom, Buttigieg framed the contest as a choice between Washington politics and kitchen-table concerns.

“Now is a chance to really show what it looks like to have a leader who is not focused on doing well by the most powerful and wealthy interests in Washington, but by the kinds of people who actually live here in the second district,” Buttigieg said. “That’s what I’ve seen Chris Jones doing day in, day out.”

Advertisement

For Jones, the focus was clear: affordability.

The Democratic challenger said Arkansans are feeling the strain of rising prices everywhere they turn, from housing and health care to everyday necessities like gasoline and groceries.

“Our campaign is about affordability and accountability for all,” Jones said. “People are concerned about the price of everything from big stuff, housing and health care, to small stuff, gas and grocery.”

Jones also criticized Republican Congressman French Hill, arguing voters are frustrated not only by rising costs but by a political climate that has become increasingly divisive.

“We’ve been told to be divided, and people are saying, look, I’m tired of that, I’m exhausted by that, and they really want to come together as a community and come together in unity,” Jones said.

Advertisement

Buttigieg said conversations he had with voters throughout the day reinforced the campaign’s message.

“I talked to a lot of folks from the Little Rock area today, heard about how they are hurting with the cost of gas, cost of groceries, cost of housing,” he said.

While Arkansas’ 2nd District has long been considered Republican territory, Buttigieg suggested the race could carry significance beyond the state’s borders.

“This is a race that maybe some national commentators are sleeping on that could absolutely be one of the pivotal ones for Congress this year,” he said.

The election remains months away, with voters set to decide the race on Nov. 3. Democrats are betting economic concerns can reshape the political conversation in the district, while Republicans look to hold onto a seat they have controlled for years.

Advertisement

For now, both parties appear to agree on one thing: more eyes may be watching Arkansas than usual.



Source link

Continue Reading

Arkansas

Arkansas Lottery Powerball, Cash 3 winning numbers for June 20, 2026

Published

on


The Arkansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Saturday, June 20, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from June 20 drawing

16-20-44-48-50, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Advertisement

Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 20 drawing

Midday: 3-6-2

Evening: 7-6-6

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 20 drawing

Midday: 8-9-5-3

Evening: 8-0-6-0

Advertisement

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Natural State Jackpot numbers from June 20 drawing

01-16-20-36-39

Check Natural State Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning LOTTO numbers from June 20 drawing

02-14-18-20-23-32, Bonus: 13

Check LOTTO payouts and previous drawings here.

Advertisement

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 20 drawing

01-10-16-30-31, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Arkansas Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Cash 3 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
  • Cash 3 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
  • Cash 4 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
  • Cash 4 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
  • Lucky For Life: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
  • Natural State Jackpot: 8 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
  • LOTTO: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arkansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Arkansas

Joshua Harris tackles “American Ninja Warrior” and Arkansas health problems

Published

on

Joshua Harris tackles “American Ninja Warrior” and Arkansas health problems


Most people can barely conquer the monkey bars at a playground, but Joshua Harris is out here tackling American Ninja Warrior obstacles and using that spotlight to help Arkansans eat healthier.

Harris recently competed on American Ninja Warrior for the second time, calling it “an incredible experience” and saying it’s fun to be part of a national show while taking on the obstacles.

Away from the course, Harris runs a nonprofit called Well Fed, which operates across Arkansas and provides healthy food for people struggling with diet-related illnesses. He said the goal is to improve health outcomes by helping people access healthier options.

“Well, Arkansas has a lot of bad statistics when it comes to health, and we need to find ways to help change those health outcomes,” Harris said. He added that healthy food, including fruits and vegetables, can help people dealing with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and that the mission fits with his own lifestyle of training, exercise and staying healthy.

Advertisement

Harris said his Ninja Warrior training and his nonprofit work connect in more ways than one. He described the Ninja Warrior community as full of like-minded people, and said the show embraced the story behind his work on food access in Arkansas.

He also said Well Fed runs food-as-medicine programs across Arkansas, working with health care to bring fruits and vegetables to people who need them. Harris said the aim is to make a measurable difference, including the possibility of seeing “type two diabetes reversed.”

As for what it’s like competing on TV, Harris said many viewers don’t realize the show is filmed overnight.

“When I’m doing Ninja Warrior on the TV show, a lot of people don’t realize that’s filmed at night, so it’s like three in the morning,” Harris said. He said he focuses on staying awake and locked in, with plenty of distractions from crowds and bright lights, but called the crew and community “amazing.”

Harris said his episode is coming up soon and he hopes people will watch and cheer him on.

Advertisement

And he’s not slowing down after that. Harris said he plans to keep training and will head to Ireland in August for the OCR (obstacle course racing) world championship, where he’ll represent Team USA.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending