While some fans have seemingly given up on Sam Pittman, it doesn’t seem like the Razorbacks have — at least based on the way the Razorbacks fought and clawed through so much of Arkansas vs Texas on Saturday.
Yes, in the end, it was another loss. On the surface, a 20-10 setback to the nation’s No. 3 team doesn’t look too hot. But Arkansas at least gave itself a fighting chance down in the fourth quarter after closing the gap to 13-10. In the end, it didn’t execute as crisply as it needed to – Taylen Green overshot a receiver who was streaking toward the end zone, for example, and on another drive, freshman CJ Brown fumbled the ball away on a promising push that could cut what was then a 10-point margin to three points.
Pretty much at no point did the Hogs look pretty on offense vs the nation’s top defense, but Arkansas had also shown a lot of fight on defense in the first half as it entered halftime down inside Razorback Stadium.
In that half, the Longhorns managed just 158 total yards, are 2 of 9 on third down and have punted five times, which is a stark contrast to what unfolded on the same field two weeks earlier. It was a disastrous showing by the defense, as Ole Miss piled up 63 points and 694 yards in a blowout.
Things were so bad in that game that at least one fans decided to invest in a billboard along I-49 in Springdale, calling for the Razorbacks to replace Pittman.
“Thank you for 5 great years Sam,” the sign read. “A change is needed in order to compete in the SEC.”
The last time someone took out a billboard along the same stretch of interstate to send a message to Pittman, it was a young recruit begging the coach for an opportunity to play for the Razorbacks.
That recruit, offensive lineman Bear McWhorter, eventually did receive an offer and actually committed to Arkansas in the 2026 class, but backed off his pledge over the summer.
Things aren’t quite as toxic as they were in 2007 — when a plane flying a banner calling for the firing of Houston Nutt flew over home games in Little Rock and Fayetteville, and fans wore black to a game to show their dissatisfaction with the coach — but it is a sign of the growing discontent amongst the fan base.
The Razorbacks are now 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the SEC, including a big win over No. 4 Tennessee, but they also suffered a pair of frustrating one-possession losses early in the year and got blown out by LSU and Ole Miss.
However, it seems like Pittman will be back in 2025, barring a monumental meltdown that would likely have to include a loss to Louisiana Tech next week.
Considering the way Arkansas fought long and hard on Saturday, though, it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen. While some fans and recruits have jumped off the bandwagon, the players haven’t.
To finish the season strong against Louisiana Tech and Missouri, the Razorbacks will need to play better on offense.
In the first half of Arkansas vs Texas alone, quarterback Taylen Green was sacked four times and three of the Razorbacks’ drives were three-and-out. They mustered just four first downs and 74 total yards, with three dropped passes and a critical holding penalty plaguing their few promising drives.
For a post-game analysis, go here:
See below for key plays in Arkansas vs Texas…
Arkansas vs Texas Updates
7:23, 1Q — Texas 7, Arkansas 0
Taylen Green threw a dart to Tyrone Broden down the seam, but it went through his hands and was picked off by Jahdae Brown. The Longhorns turned it into a touchdown, dialing up a beautiful play to get a wide open 20-yard touchdown pass from Quinn Ewers to Matthew Golden.
END of 1Q — Texas 7, Arkansas 0
11:15, 2Q — Texas 10, Arkansas 0
Given great field position thanks to an 8-yard shank punt by Devin Bale, the Longhorns were only able to turn it into three points. The Razorbacks got a stop just outside the red zone and Bert Auburn made the 39-yard field goal.
HALF — Texas 10, Arkansas 0
8:36, 3Q — Texas 13, Arkansas 0
The Longhorns got into the red zone after getting some good field position, but the defense once again held strong and held them to a field goal. The 33-yard kick extends the lead to 13-0.
3:39, 3Q — Texas 13, Arkansas 7
Really nice response by the offense. Taylen Green completed a couple of passes to Andrew Armstrong, including a 25-yarder down the sideline, and them Ja’Quinden Jackson finished off the drive with some hard running. He ended up punching it in from 1 yard out to get the Hogs on the board.
END of 3Q — Texas 13, Arkansas 7
12:48, 4Q — Texas 13, Arkansas 10
A promising drive by the Razorbacks stalled out when Green kept it on first down at the 26 and was tackled for a 6-yard loss. Luckily for them, Matthew Shipley drilled the 44-yard field goal to pull them within three.
9:05, 4Q — Texas 20, Arkansas 10
However, the Longhorns quickly pushed it back out to a two-score game. They went right down the field and capped the drive with a nice 1-yard touchdown catch by Golden. Earlier in the drive, Texas ripped off a 28-yard run to get into the red zone. Jaydon Blue fumbled at the end of it, but the Hogs couldn’t fall on it before it went out of bounds.
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