FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When thinking in terms of stretches, some of the Razorbacks’ hardest games come at random times throughout the season.

However, there is a crucial stretch of games that takes up the whole month of October that will ultimately define how the season will be perceived.

Of course, it’s not completely fair to grade a first-year coach based on his win total in Year One no matter how good he was at his previous stop. But when it’s all said and done, Arkansas’ success under coach Ryan Silverfield will be graded upon how hard his team fights, and how disciplined they’ve become before the wins begin flowing in.

Embracing the 12th Man

When Arkansas heads to College Station for its first SEC road game of the season, it’ll be the first time since 2012 that the Razorbacks will play in front of a full capacity Kyle Field crowd.

The Aggies will be coming off a relatively tough four game stretch to being the season against Missouri State, Arizona State, Kentucky and at LSU in Tiger Stadium. Coach Mike Elko’s teams are 15-1 in September and October since his arrival in 2024 with his lone loss coming in his debut against Notre Dame.

The Razorbacks will be facing an offense loaded with weapons between Marcel Reed, Rueben Owens, Mario Craver, Ashton Bethel-Roman and many others. This will be a major test for Arkansas’ rebuilt defense if they can figure out a way to slow the Aggies down.

Will Lightning Strike Twice in Fayetteville?

Arkansas fans remember Oct. 5, 2024 fondly. That was the last time the Razorbacks won a home game against a power conference opponent, which happened to be Tennessee 19-14 and it resulted in a field rush of a capacity crowd.

It was mentioned Monday that there are some similarities between this game and the last meeting between the two in 2024. One is the fact that a highly regarded former 4-star and redshirt freshman quarterback, George Macintyre, will make his first SEC road start.

But he’ll at least be tested heavily against the likes of Georgia Tech, likely preseason No. 1 Texas, and Auburn before heading to Fayetteville.

There are some questions for Josh Heupel this season after gutting his defensive coaching staff by hitting the reset button with his hiring of respected coordinator Jim Knowles. There’s enough talent on that side of the ball to possibly bail the offense out if things stall multiple possessions per game.

For an Arkansas offense under new direction from offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey, this stretch will tell fans a whole lot about the Razorbacks program trajectory and complete buy-in.

One unique nugget is Silverfield is 5-1 against the current group of SEC head coaches, which includes a thrilling 50-49 victory over UCF in 2020. The Golden Knights were coached by Heupel, who was in his final year with the program before being hired by Tennessee.

Encore in Music City?

Heisman finalist Diego Pavia finally ran out of eligibility after last season, which means the Commodores have to start over but this time with 5-star quarterback signee Jared Curtis.

Arkansas has been quite successful in games played at FirstBank Stadium through the years with a 4-0 all-time record in Nashville.

Coach Clark Lea will field a solid defensive unit that features a potentially dominant group of linebackers in Nick Rinaldi and Brian Longwell.

However, it was Vanderbilt’s secondary that struggled to stop the passing game, finishing No. 118 nationally at 249 yards per game.

Cramsey’s offense is predicated on getting playmakers room to work in space and there’s certainly an opportunity to find wiggle room against a rather suspect coverage group.

This is a game the Razorbacks have to win before going into a much needed bye-week and final stretch of the regular season.

Hogs’ Tricking or Treating Against Mizzou?

On paper, this Missouri team will have its most talented roster under Eli Drinkwitz 43 former 4-star recruits and only 25 3-stars. Led by new starting quarterback Austin Simmons, he’ll be tasked with giving the Tigers’ offense more explosive with a downfield passing attack.

Between Beau Pribula and Matt Zollers, the two completed just 30 passes that surpassed 20+ yards in 2025, which ranked No. 106 nationally. The biggest of questions will be whether or not star running back Ahmad Hardy will be ready to go when the season begins or by the time Halloween comes around to carry Missouri to its first College Football Playoff bid.

Drinkwitz’s team will have a murder’s row of a schedule from Oct. 3 through the conclusion of the regular season with games against Florida, Texas A&M, at Ole Miss, at Arkansas, Texas, at Georgia, Kentucky and Oklahoma.

An interesting note is the Razorbacks are 11-5-1 all-time in games played on Halloween, but 4-1 on that same date at home.

2020: L @ A&M
2009: W vs Eastern Michigan 
1998: W @ Auburn
1992: T @ Auburn 
1987: W @ Rice
1981: W @ Rice
1970: W @ Texas A&M
1964: W @ Texas A&M
1953: W vs Texas A&M
1942: L @ Texas A&M
1936: W vs Texas A&M
1931: L vs TCU
1925 W vs LSU
1914: L @ Oklahoma State
1908: L @ Oklahoma 

Silverfield’s team will probably be playing for their postseason lives at this point in the season, but his program can’t be graded on its win-loss record alone this fall.

There’s a possiblity that his team goes 0-4 in this stretch or sneak up and beat the likes of Tennessee, Vanderbilt or even sneak up and bring the Battle Line Rivalry trophy back to Fayetteville for the first time since 2020.

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DOVER, Del. – On Monday, the Delaware on Main Street (DOMS) Program, operating within the Delaware Division of Small Business (DSB), presented certificates of accreditation or affiliation to 17 downtown organizations on behalf of Main Street America.

The recognition reflects continued growth in the Delaware on Main Street Program, with two new organizations joining the network between July 2025 and January 2026 and two communities advancing to Main Street America’s highest designation level. Delaware now has six nationally accredited Main Street programs, up from four in 2025, representing a 50% increase in communities earning Main Street America’s top designation.

“I’m incredibly excited to see the growth of this program and so proud of the dedication, passion, and effort that each of these Main Street programs put into economic development and revitalization of their downtown areas,” said Delaware on Main Street Coordinator Anastasia Jackson. “Their tireless efforts show what’s possible when engaged leaders work together to shape places that reflect the people they serve.”

The impact of Delaware’s Main Street programs extends far beyond recognition. In 2025, eleven Delaware on Main Street programs generated more than $306.8 million in local reinvestment, facilitated the creation of 421 full-time and 108 part-time jobs, and helped open 104 new businesses. They also completed 38 rehabilitation projects, 85 public improvement projects, and eight new construction projects. Volunteers contributed more than 29,293 hours to support downtown revitalization efforts.

Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce a list of designated programs that have committed to creating meaningful improvements to their downtowns through the Main Street Approach™.

These designations serve as a powerful advocacy tool, demonstrating to local stakeholders, as well as city, state, and national funders, that a Main Street program has an established position within a nationwide movement. Main Street America’s 46-year track record of economic success and community building has created a lasting impact in communities across the country.

Certificates were presented during the quarterly Main Street meeting held at Middletown Town Hall on Monday, June 29, 2026.

The four programs receiving renewed accreditation are Downtown Wilmington Visions, Downtown Dover Partnership, Downtown Milford, Inc., and Rehoboth Beach Main Street, Inc. The two programs earning accreditation status for the first time are Cornerstone West CDC in Wilmington and Middletown Main Street.

To qualify for Accredited status, Main Street America’s highest designation tier, communities must demonstrate a proven track record of achieving outcomes in alignment with the Main Street Approach™ and exceptional performance in six areas: broad-based community commitment to revitalization; inclusive leadership and organizational capacity; diversified funding and sustainable program operations; strategy-driven programming; preservation-based economic development; and demonstrated impact and results.

The remaining 11 downtown programs receiving Affiliate status are City of Harrington, City of Seaford, Clayton Main Street, Delaware City, Main Street Laurel, Millsboro Downtown Partnership, Milton Main Street, The Newark Partnership, Town of Elsmere, Smyrna Main Street, and Town of Georgetown.

To qualify for Affiliate status, Main Street America’s second designation tier, communities must demonstrate a strong commitment to the Main Street model and dedication to achieving outcomes in six areas: broad-based community commitment to revitalization; inclusive leadership and organizational capacity; diversified funding and sustainable program operations; strategy-driven programming; preservation-based economic development; and demonstrated impact and results.

According to Main Street America, for every dollar invested in the operation of a Main Street program, an average of $21.73 is reinvested into its downtown and commercial corridor communities.

Together, Delaware’s accredited and affiliate Main Street programs are helping strengthen local economies, support small businesses, preserve historic downtowns, and create vibrant places where residents and visitors want to live, work, and spend time.

To learn more about the Delaware on Main Street Program, visit de.gov/demainst.

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The Delaware Division of Small Business is a service-focused state agency, within the Delaware Department of State, that is committed to helping businesses start and grow in Delaware. Our Regional Business Managers can help you navigate government processes, connect with partner organizations that offer resources to small businesses and identify opportunities to access capital. DSB also oversees the Delaware Tourism Office and the Office of Supplier Diversity

Media Contact
Andrea Wojcik
Division of Small Business
O: (302) 672-6840; C: (302) 554-0060
andrea.wojcik@delaware.gov

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