Defensive lineman Zach Williams talked about dealing with Sam Pittman’s absence this week and Barry Odom stepping in as coach.
Main story line shifted from Franks to Pittman with coach out for Florida game
Hogs quarterback Feleipe Franks’ return to Florida was supposed to be the biggest storyline this week, but that changed, Nikki Chavanelle of HawgBeat said on Halftime.
Olson breaks down first week brackets for high school football playoffs
Despite concerns a few months ago, Arkansas high schools are headed to the football playoffs Friday night and Nate Olson looked at the brackets on Halftime.
Odom to coach Hogs against Florida after Pittman follow-up confirms test
Sam Pittman’s follow up PCR test has confirmed his positive Covid-19 result from Sunday as part of the normal testing protocol and he will not coach Saturday’s game at Florida.
He will remain in isolation at home and continue to be a part of team meetings virtually.
Defensive coordinator Barry Odom will be coaching the team against the Gators, but Pittman said Monday not a whole lot will change.
“Somebody on the equipment staff will run the timing of practice instead of me and Barry will coach defense,” Pittman said. “But as far as the voice of the team and those things, that’ll be coach Odom.”
Odom had a 25-25 record as the head coach at Missouri before coming to the Razorbacks.
“He’ll do a damn fine job I’m sure,” Pittman said Monday.
Bud Light Seltzer Morning Rush Podcast – Sam Pittman Covid-19 news impact
Tye & Tommy on Sam Pittman testing positive for Covid-19, SEC News, plus the best Thanksgiving side dish!
Pittman tests positive for Covid-19 test, will enter quarantine guidelines
Sam Pittman has tested positive for COVID-19, according to an announcement from Arkansas Communications on Monday just before his weekly press conference.
Pittman was tested Sunday as part of the team’s normal protocol and he was informed this morning that his PCR test was positive.
He is not symptomatic and is in self isolation at home. He retested this morning to confirm the results of Sunday’s test with those results still pending. All individuals who are considered close contacts have been notified and will enter quarantine guidelines.
Pittman will follow the SEC’s Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force protocol for testing asymptomatic positives.
Pittman will continue to be a part of team meetings virtually while in isolation. Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Barry Odom will serve as the team’s interim head coach in Coach Pittman’s absence.
SDS’ O’Gara ready to give Pittman his coach of the year vote after three wins
Connor O’Gara from Saturday Down South predicted a max of three wins for the Hogs this year and he’s ready now to vote Sam Pittman coach of the year in the league.
Covid, hurricane, capturing college football headlines across SEC
The news just prior to Sam Pittman’s press conference at noon that he tested positive for the Covid-19 virus was just the tip of the iceberg.
LSU-Alabama is now in jeopardy as Tigers coach Ed Orgeron didn’t disclose any numbers, but said players had tested positive and more were out for Saturday’s game as a result of contact tracing.
The only thing that could affect was (maybe) the final score because LSU probably wasn’t going to be a threat to de-rail the Crimson Tide this year if everybody was healthy and on the field.
“It’s going to be challenging with the guys that are out,” Orgeron said at his weekly press conference.
On top of all that, Hurricane Eta is charging through Cuba on Monday afternoon at an estimated 13 miles an hour and is expected to hit southern Florida on Sunday and Monday. Based on their unpredictability, though, it does keep everyone watching the weather to see if it affects the Hogs at Florida on Saturday.
Positive test results and quarantines also forced Auburn and Mississippi State to postpone their matchup Saturday, which is now tentatively set for Dec. 12.
In addition to all of that, Texas A&M cancelled practice Monday after one player and a student worker tested positive after Saturday’s trip to South Carolina.
Catalon gets top SEC defensive honor after big night against Vols
Jalen Catalon earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week recognition for the first time in his career with 12 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble in Arkansas’ 24-13 win over Tennessee last weekend, the league office announced Monday.
The Razorbacks’ four SEC Defensive Player of the Week awards this year are the most in a single-season in school history.
Catalon joined teammates Bumper Pool (Week 2), Joe Foucha (Week 2) and Grant Morgan (Week 4) as honorees.
On Tennessee’s final offensive play, Catalon registered his second interception of the season, picking off quarterback Harrison Bailey’s throw in the end zone, thwarting the Volunteers comeback attempt.
Catalon, from Mansfield, Texas, registered 10 of his 12 tackles in the first quarter while also forcing a fumble. He was part of the Razorback defense that held Tennessee to 107 passing yards, the Volunteers lowest since 2017 against Alabama (44 yards).
This season Catalon has posted three 10+ tackle performances and leads the team with 36 solo tackles while ranking third in total tackles (58).
Since 2000, the defensive back’s 58 total tackles are the most by an SEC freshman through the season’s first six games. He is the only FBS freshman to record 50+ stops and multiple interceptions this season.
Catalon, along with redshirt freshman DB Hudson Clark (3), make up the only freshmen duo in the country on the same team to each register multiple interceptions this year.
Arkansas leads the country with 12 interceptions, which is the Hogs most in a season since 2014 (12).
The Hogs travel to Florida for the first time since 2013 this weekend on Saturday, Nov. 14 for a 6 p.m. kick off against the Gators on ESPN.
Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.
