Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman Looks Forward to Tough Texas Longhorns Offense

Texas Longhorns and Arkansas Razorbacks met for the last time as non-conference opponents 2021Steve Sarkisian had only one game of experience after taking over as head coach. The Razorbacks, on the other hand, had just entered their third season under Sam Pittman and were unknowingly about to have their most successful season in 10 years.

Sarkisian is currently in his fourth year with the Longhorns and has already led his team to a Big 12 Championship title and a trip to the College Football Playoff and is currently in the hunt for the SEC Championship. Arkansas has continued its 4-8 performance from last season with a 5-4 record so far, while Texas has remained consistent, going 8-1 from a 12-2 record in its first year as a member of the SEC.

Pittman pointed out the obvious in his statement: Monday media availabilityHow the Longhorns have found more speed and physicality on their roster than they did three years ago, particularly with breakthrough performances from wide receiver Isaiah Bond, running back Jaydon Blue, and running back Trey Moore against Florida last weekend. tells.

“They’re definitely a different team since the last time we played them. Their talent level is definitely a lot faster and bigger than the last time we played them,” Pittman said. “We are definitely looking forward to this great contest against a great Texas team.”

What particularly stood out to Pittman about the new and improved Sarkis-era roster was the fact that their play design was known to attract attention off the ball. One of the plays that caught Pittman’s attention was a double fake screen to starting quarterback Quinn Pitcher He passed the ball to Bond for a 44-yard gain. The head coach said the Longhorns need to prepare their men for such mistakes if they want to avoid them. crime running on the sidelines.

“They want to take the ball away and get you into space,” Pittman said. “We’ve got to hold our own, we’ve got to turn everything back, we’ve got to do it. If they get out of one of our guys we’re in trouble. We’ve got to chase the ball and play extremely hard.”

Although Arkansas faced some intimidating players at the quarterback position, including Jaxson Dart for Ole Miss and Nico Iamaleava for Tennessee, he praised Ewers for being one of the most impressive quarterbacks he’s seen all year.

“Ewers throws the football, he has one of the fastest players I’ve ever seen,” Pittman said. “He can throw the bubble pitch and he’s halfway there, you haven’t even seen him throw it. He’s really talented and has an extremely strong arm.”

Pittman hinted that he completed his secondary before Saturday to tackle the Longhorns’ agility, but only time will tell who arrives in Fayetteville better prepared for the revival of the overshadowed rivalry.