Arkansas linebacker Grant Morgan talked with the media about how the defense improved and the season opener Saturday against Georgia.
Bulldogs close strong to take a 37-10 win over Razorbacks in opener
Georgia scored 32 points in the second half and overcome a sluggish start to come away with a 37-10 win over Arkansas in the season opener.
Football has returned, but for Razorback fans it was the 20th straight loss in the SEC after a first half that was about as good defensively as they have played in a few years.
The No. 4 Bulldogs trailed at halftime, 7-5, gave up a quick field goal to start the third quarter before ringing up 22 points in the third quarter and blow the game open.
Trailing 7-5 at halftime must not have set too well with Georgia coach Kirby Smart.
Who knows what he said at halftime but he got the Bulldogs’ attention, especially on defense where they have flipped the script on Arkansas, opening a 27-10 lead headed into the fourth quarter.
Georgia has done most of the damage with Stetson Bennett coming in at quarterback and settling down the offense while the Hogs’ offense struggled in the third period, getting just 71 yards of offense and most of that coming on a 43-yard drive just after halftime.
Myles Slusher recovered a fumble caused by Jalen Catalon and the Hogs got inside the Georgia 10 and had to settle for a field goal from A.J. Reed for a 10-5 lead.
The Bulldogs’ offense then kicked into gear and ran off 22 unanswered points.
Lost in the offensive ineptitude of both teams in the first half is Arkansas’ defense under Barry Odom is playing better than it has in years.
Yes, the Razorbacks’ 7-5 lead at halftime more closely resembles the baseball team and Georgia has been completely effective at bumbling and shooting itself in the foot but the defense is not giving up big plays, putting forth an effort not seen in a long time and winning the line of scrimmage.
It’s okay. I didn’t see that coming, either.
The best drive for the Bulldogs in the first half was managing to move down as the Hogs played the dreaded prevent defense and managed. to get 177 for the first half, 129 of that on the ground.
While the Hogs’ offense has struggled to find much rhythm, the defense has been 1-12 on third downs, which is a startling change from the last few years. Arkansas has converted 2-of-8 on third down.
That’s not a good number, really, but for Arkansas to be ahead at halftime on third-down conversions is completely new.
Georgia got a safety when the Hogs managed to mess up a reverse and were lucky the ball got out of the end zone, then a field goal as time expired in the first half.
The Hogs are still in it at halftime, which will surprise some folks.
On talk radio shows last week the general opinion was this game would be over long before halftime, but no one saw the defense playing like it is.
If the Hogs can settle down the offense just a little, this game could get interesting in the fourth quarter.
While the first quarter wasn’t a thing of beauty in any respect, Arkansas did show signs of looking very different from the 4-20 mess we’ve seen the last couple of years.
The Razorbacks couldn’t get any decent field position in the first quarter that saw them hold a 7-0 lead as the defense combined with Georgia penalties (8-73) for about as good of a start to the Sam Pittman Era as anyone could expect.
Both teams turned the ball over once, but the overall play of the Hogs’ defense may be the biggest eye-opener.
The Bulldogs could muster just 68 yards total and redshirt freshman quarterback D’Wan Mathis was nearly decapitated by Hogs linebacker Bumper Pool on a legal hit early in the first period in front of the Arkansas bench area.
Feleipe Franks was just four-of-13 for 91 yards and a 49-yard scoring toss, but he was also constantly pressured and Georgia’s defense wasn’t letting Rakeem Boyd get any breathing room running side (4-12 yards).
It took over a full season for Treylon Burks to get a touchdown but he broke free on a secondary bust by Georgia for a 49-yard grab from Feleipe Burks.
Before the snap of the ball it was clear the Bulldogs’ secondary had a bad alignment and Burks, in the slot on the left, was going to have a shot if he broke cleanly … which he did.
Franks delivered the pass, Burks broke an arm tackle down the left sideline for the score giving the Hogs an early lead over No. 4 Georgia.
Hogs getting Burks ball against Bulldogs, including his first score
Sam Pittman and Kendal Briles have said since coming to Arkansas getting the ball to sophomore wide receiver Treylon Burks was a priority.
That has shown to be true in the first half against Georgia on Saturday in the season opener.
Burks hauled in a 49-yard scoring pass from quarterback Feleipe Franks in the first quarter for his first touchdown with the Razorbacks and here are photos of that play.
Hogs, Bulldogs deliver together for unity before Saturday’s kickoff
While there will be a lot of red on the field when Arkansas and Georgia kick off Saturday afternoon, before the game both teams were dressed in black and came together distanced at midfield.
“We all have an incredible opportunity together to help promote unity and equality in our communities and our country.” pic.twitter.com/qDqzqDoOOo
— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) September 26, 2020
The Razorbacks will be in their traditional home red jerseys and helmets with white pants while the Bulldogs are unveiling their red pants similar to what they wore when they last won a national championship in 1980.
The 10 things to know as Hogs open season at home today
Arkansas opens the 2020 season and the Sam Pittman era against No. 4 Georgia in Razorback Stadium for a 3 p.m. kickoff.
The game will be broadcast on SEC Network and the ESPN app.
You can listen to the game HERE or on the radio at ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
After the postgame show, join Phil Elson and Matt Jenkins for Razorback Recap online and on the ESPN Arkansas stations.
10 things to know before kickoff
1. The quartet of senior RB Rakeem Boyd, junior WR Mike Woods and sophomore WRs Treylon Burks and Trey Knox combined for 2,967 all-purpose yards last season, nearly 60% of the 2019 Razorbacks total yardage. Overall, Arkansas returns approximately 81% of its all-purpose yards from last season.
2. Graduate transfer QB Feleipe Franks is slated to start behind center when the Razorback offense takes the field against the Bulldogs.
The veteran is no stranger to the SEC after spending 2017-19 as Florida’s starting signal caller, where he guided the 2018 Gators to a No. 6 final ranking in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll and a 41-15 Chick Fil-A Peach Bowl victory over No. 7 Michigan.
Franks played in 28 games and made 25 starts for the Gators, registering 4,593 passing yards with 37 touchdowns to 17 interceptions and a 59.1% completion percentage (354-for-599).
In addition, he ran for 438 yards and eight scores. Franks was Florida’s starting quarterback the first three games last season but missed the remainder of the year due to injury.
3. Senior RB Rakeem Boyd is back for his third season on the Hill after leading the team in rushing each of the last two seasons.
Last year, he carried the ball 184 times for 1,133 yards and eight touchdowns while also hauling in 19 receptions for 160 yards. The Houston, Texas native has run for 100+ yards in a game eight times during his Razorback career, making him one of just 16 backs in school history to do so.
Boyd ranked fourth in the SEC and 27th nationally averaging 94.4 yards per game; in addition, his 6.4 yards per carry ranked ninth in the conference.
On just eight carries, he rushed for a career-best 185 yards against Western Kentucky, averaging 23.1 yards per attempt, including two touchdown runs of 76 and 86 yards with the latter being a career-long.
4. Arkansas is welcoming two new transfer additions on the defensive line to bolster its front. JUCO transfer Julius Coates comes from East Mississippi CC where he racked up 30 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks last season.
Graduate transfer Xavier Kelly joins the fold from Clemson where he won two National Championships and four ACC Championships, while durable senior Jonathan Marshall returns after missing just one game in the last four years. Marshall finished third on the team in 2019 making 4.5 tackles for loss.
5. Razorback players selected four seniors in Boyd, Franks, Marshall and LB Grant Morgan to serve as team captains for the 2020 campaign.
Introducing your 2020 Captains:@18Franks@jonathanmarsh40@grantmorgan15@boyd_rakeem pic.twitter.com/yVN2m4UPNd
— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) September 16, 2020
6. Nobody expected Sam Pittman’s Arkansas head coaching debut to come against his previous employer, Georgia, but due to the 10-game SEC-only schedule, the Bulldogs were added to the slate as the season-opener.
Pittman spent 2016-19 on Georgia’s staff as the associate head coach-offensive line coach for current Bulldog head coach Kirby Smart, where the duo won three SEC Eastern Division titles and reached the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Hogs assistant head coach-special teams coordinator Scott Fountain was also on staff in Athens from 2016-18.
7. Junior LB Bumper Pool is the leading returning tackler in 2020 and his 94 stops last season ranked second on the Razorbacks.
He is the leading returner with 6.5 tackles for loss last season, which was tied for second-most on the 2019 squad. Pool leads all active Hogs with 123 career tackles and tied for the active lead with 9.0 tackles for loss.
8. The Hogs and Dawgs are meeting for the 15th time in a series that dates back to 1969. Georgia won the last meeting of the series, a wild 45-32 contest in 2014 in Little Rock, to gain a 10-4 all-time series lead.
They haven’t met in Fayetteville since 2009, when Georgia won the highest-scoring game all-time in the series, 51-42. The Bulldogs have an 8-2 series lead in conference games.
9. Due to Covid-19, there are many schedule notables as the Razorbacks begin their campaign.
Arkansas has never hosted an SEC opponent to begin the season; the earliest conference home game was Week 2 of the 2009 season against Georgia.
Ranked fourth, Georgia is the highest-ranked foe the Razorbacks have faced in a home opener since No. 3 Miami (Fla.) on Aug. 31, 1991, in Little Rock.
It’s been 62 years since Arkansas opened its season at home against a conference opponent as it welcomed then Southwest Conference member Baylor on Sept. 20, 1958, in Frank Broyles’ first game as head coach.
Saturday’s game is also the latest season opener since Sept. 26, 1953, when Arkansas took on Oklahoma State in Little Rock.
10. Covid-19 capacity restrictions have limited Razorback Stadium to an expected crowd of 16,000-17,000 spectators. Razorback Stadium’s official capacity was last around that mark from 1947-49 at 18,500 spectators.
ANDY’S PICKS: Do you really think Hogs have a shot against Georgia?
It’s more than mildly entertaining to listen to an Arkansas fan trying to justify how he seriously believes there is a chance to win Saturday against No. 4 Georgia.
Unlike some tend to fall into the trap of thinking, last season (or last week) has absolutely nothing to do with the game in front of the Razorbacks.
Since the Hogs came to the SEC in 1992, playing against the Bulldogs hasn’t worked out well, winning just twice in that time period, both of them coming against Georgia teams with a losing record.
The Hogs simply haven’t been in the same class for the last decade.
And none of that matters Saturday. In a year filled with civil unrest piled on top of a global health crisis, now we have football where we really have no idea what players are going to be able to play in the game until they kick it off.
Thank you, quarantine. To date, the number of college football players having serious issues from the corona virus is so small as to be virtually insignificant. So far, the fear of passing the virus from player to player in a game hasn’t been realized.
It’s that quarantine from being in contact with someone that tests positive we isolate healthy people with no symptoms to “contain the spread,” which may or may not work depending on which “expert” you choose to believe.
All of that is why this could be a wacky football season and picking winners of games without knowing for certain who will even be on the field is somewhat of a gamble … at best.
For the complete season all picks carry the exact same disclaimer members of Congress use in their remarks: We reserve the right to edit and extend our comments for the record.
We’ll even let Peter Morgan use that excuse. Once again, he strolls into the opening week full of hope that will have enough spark to last until somewhere between Halloween and Thanksgiving before he gets desperate.
But back to this game.
Georgia -28 at Arkansas
For the first time in a couple of years, the Hogs have a coach that actually has a clue what he’s doing in the SEC. Yes, Sam Pittman makes that big of a difference.
Unfortunately, he doesn’t have enough depth to win this game unless the Bulldogs are completely inept on offense, which is probably not going to happen.
What I think is they won’t be good enough to win by four touchdowns in an opening game with no spring practice and a guessing game at quarterback.
For once, the Hogs are the stable team at quarterback with Feleipe Franks taking charge of this team’s offense.
It may not be enough to win, but it will be enough to stay within four touchdowns.
Georgia 34, Arkansas 24
Florida -13.5 at Ole Miss
The Gators were my preseason pick to win the SEC East, partly because that’s what I’ve done every year since 1992 and mainly because I think they’re going to be better at the quarterback spot.
The Rebels are breaking in a new coach and figuring out which quarterback to play, which is why I think this game might be a little more open than some do.
Florida 28, Ole Miss 10
Kentucky +7.5 at Auburn
In looking at this one, either folks are giving the Wildcats some high expectations or they are aware of the two-headed trainwreck running the offense for the Tigers now.
Chad Morris is the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for Gus Malzahn, who has once again said he’s letting somebody else call the plays.
Based on past experience, that means Bo Nix will be in the transfer portal by Halloween and Malzahn will once again be on the hot seat before the end of the year.
The Tigers will win this one, but that’s simply because they are home and I’m not ready to drink the blue koolaid of Kentucky until they do something.
Auburn 21, Kentucky 17
Mississippi State at -17 LSU
The defending national champions will probably be a step behind last year’s team which was good enough to be 2-3 steps ahead of everybody else in the SEC.
Meanwhile in Starkville, Mike Leach takes over a program torn apart inside for two years with a lack of discipline and other issues.
This one could get out of hand quick and get bad.
LSU 49, Mississippi State 14
-28 Alabama at Missouri
Welcome to the SEC, Eli Drinkwitz.
Maybe no one in the SEC has been quieter during the fall camp process than the Crimson Tide where Nick Saban has just gone about the business of doing whatever he has to to have a team ready for a season.
This one won’t be close by the end of the first quarter.
Alabama 52, Missouri 7
Vanderbilt at -30 Texas A&M
Are things going the wrong way for Derek Mason with the Commodores? Probably. That’s how it has gone with the program for the last 40 years or so.
The Aggies are hoping they are in the hunt for a playoff spot but nobody really thinks so. But they are good enough to handle this one, although 30 might be too big of a number to cover.
Texas A&M 41, Vanderbilt 21
Tennessee at +3.5 South Carolina
This might be the best game of the opening week of the season from a competitive standpoint between two coaches who need a winning year or they might be gone.
The guess here is Jeremy Pruitt had one of those seasons last year that gives everyone enough hope the coach better win something quick or he’s going to have a problem.
And Will Muschamp figures it out … again.
South Carolina 17, Tennessee 13
PETER’S PICKS: At least football has finally arrived in 2020 for Hogs
Who can truly define what is important on a finite level?
With so many crucial social issues and other major trials thrown at us in 2020, so many have a newfound perspective on imperative aspects for daily life. The performance of events many have often utilized as key parts of their Saturdays have now been in question.
The reality for sports fans is college football was once a perk enabling us to test the full validity of our Norvasc prescriptions.
Now it is a distraction and escape from the despair and constant reminder of our recent lifestyle changes, and, honestly, watching your favorite team lose this season will still be better and less stressful than a trip to any Walmart.
Rejoice, Razorbacks fans, for our interruption of constant worry is upon us. And for those who will state, “I cannot believe you even consider thinking about sports at a time like this,” well, you, my friend, have clicked upon the wrong article.
Trust me, there are far better opinion pieces out there written by much more talented people than I you are free to enjoy. May I recommend “HowToBecomeASovereignCitizen.com”?
In other words, we are back, and there is the slightest glimmer of hope Arkansas football may have a decent year.
Okay, okay, “slightest” may be too strong of a word; however, the Hogs winning at least three games this season is better odds than jean shorts making a comeback, a kid hating ice cream, and Chad Morris forgiving Ty Storey.
Arkansas hosts No. 4 Georgia this Saturday, and we could not be more excited. Too cliché? Too unbelievable? Too optimistic? Permit me to list some thoughts on the game, and you can check my level of sincerity for yourself.
Why Arkansas will win:
The Hogs have an entirely new coaching staff with an emphasis on optimism, focus, and family. Let’s not forget, even special teams have a dedicated coordinator replacing the recent “thorn in the side” approach.
There is a new quarterback at the helm which many hope will provide a solid, singular presence instead of the smorgasbord former head coach Chad Morris put us through.
Florida transfer Feleipe Franks has yet to convince the faithful he is the answer for at least one season, yet he does provide some much needed experience in the signal caller position.
Rakeem Boyd starts his senior campaign with full aspirations of impressing NFL scouts. It is safe to state No. 5 will be going at full force the entire game, and it is also a given if he can excel, the passing lanes will open up for Franks to hit our talented collection of wide receivers including the stellar Trey Knox.
Why Georgia will win:
They are extremely well-coached and have recent history of showing tremendous discipline within all aspects of the game.
Their defense is one of (if not) the best in nation and they return eight starters.
Most importantly, it is Georgia.
They are one of the best programs in the country, and their highlight reels are countless and impressive, whereas for the Hogs, our surrendering a touchdown to North Texas off a punt return in 2018 still gets more airtime than reruns of “The Andy Griffith Show”.
Final Thoughts:
Whatever the outcome, as evidenced by the introduction of the new coaching staff during halftime of the last Kentucky-Arkansas basketball game, Arkansas fans are excited to have this talented staff leading our young men onto the field each week.
Hopefully this enthusiasm has carried over to the players leading to a resolve of energy and enthusiasm to carry throughout an entire game resulting in a huge upset early in the season.
Speaking of Kentucky, on a personal note, my favorite person has (for whatever reason) mutated into a Wildcats fan. Therefore, I have somewhat softened on my disdain for John Calipari and the team he coaches.
Yes, yes, I do feel a slight sense of shame, but it is worth it.
Oh, and 38 – 17, Georgia.
Welcome to gameday fans, it’s great to be here.
Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 3 p.m. via HitThatLine.com, and on the air at ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
SEC Picks for Week “4”
By now you have read and watched about the new coaches and staff, the players to watch, and the analysis on what to expect when the Razorbacks take the field.
Now you get the distinct privilege of gazing your eyes upon the weekly picks for each SEC game.
Yeah, Andy Hodges does this as well, but even he knows who at HitThatLine.Com will come out the victor as we head into the 2020 season competition.
(5) Florida at Ole Miss: Is it too early to predict an upset? Perhaps, and giving Lane Kiffin unearned credit is not my forte. Gators by 15.
(23) Kentucky at (8) Auburn [GAME OF THE WEEK]: I truly believe Kentucky is over-ranked, but playing against a talented Auburn team will not prove my thought. I do hope Chad Morris continues his “winning ways” as the OC for the Eagles though. Tigers by 20.
Mississippi State at (6) LSU: Anxious to see if LSU will compare to the national championship team from last year? Yeah? Well, the Bulldogs do not share your concern. Tigers by 18.
(4) Georgia at Arkansas: Cross your fingers, yet fear is it will not be of any assistance. Bulldogs by 21.
(2) Alabama at Missouri: Hey, at least we are not the Tigers this week. Bama by 30 … in the first half.
Vanderbilt at (10) Texas A&M: The Aggie have a lot to prove this season. Vanderbilt will be their full-on Vandy selves this season. A&M by 24.
(16) Tennessee at South Carolina [SLOPFEST OF THE WEEK]: Is anyone else not sold on Tennessee mainly based upon their sticking with head coaching… What is his name again? The Vols still win, but not easily and definitely not cleanly. Vols by 11.
Perhaps we can shock the world this weekend, Razorbacks fans. Place your bets here, and we will even give you good odds.
Find me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS
Go HOGS!!!
SEC will start men’s league basketball games just before New Year’s Day
Friday’s announcement by the Southeastern Conference doesn’t change the Nov. 25 start date for non-conference games, but does start conference play just before New Year’s.
Barely, with Dec. 29-30 as the new start dates for the men’s conference schedule and the women’s date staying on Dec. 31.
The league made the announcement via a press release Friday.
The 2020-21 SEC men’s basketball conference schedule will be comprised of 20 play dates that would accommodate an 18-game schedule with two open dates.
Ten SEC schools will fill one of those open dates with the SEC-Big 12 Challenge in late January. The four teams not participating in the SEC-Big 12 Challenge will play league games that day.
The 2020-21 SEC women’s basketball conference schedule remains at 18 play dates that will fit a 16-game league schedule.
Earlier this month, the NCAA Division I Council approved a Nov. 25 start date for the 2020-21 men’s and women’s college basketball seasons, when the SEC will begin non-conference play.
Teams can begin preseason practice on Wednesday, Oct. 14 and will have a 42-day window to conduct no more than 30 practices.
Information from SECSports.com is included in this story.
SECN’s Neal says Hogs have to pull out all stops for chance against ’Dawgs
Nobody is giving Arkansas much of a shot in the opener against Georgia, but Dave Neal thinks the Hogs have to get turnovers, create some plays to stay close.
