We give you everything we know about the scrimmage that no one saw. Plus lunch box talk and people actually call in for a change (the text line wasn’t operating at the time).
Ruscin & Zach August 11
Communication key as Williams shapes Razorbacks’ defense
Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams stood on the practice field Monday and used a culinary metaphor to describe the Razorbacks’ defense as fall camp entered a pivotal stretch.
“We have a lot of ingredients, and we have to cook the meal,” Williams told reporters after practice. “We’ve got to put the ingredients in the right spot so the meal can be right. But we have the ingredients now.
“We’ve got to make sure, ‘OK, it’s not mildewed. It’s not spoiled.’ And what that means is, if it’s not our standard, they’re not getting to the ball. [If] they’re not playing a physical brand of ball, that’s not part of our ingredients”
The Razorbacks are trying to rebound from a season marked by defensive breakdowns and big plays allowed. Their first closed scrimmage of fall camp reinforced that work remains.
Coach Sam Pittman said the defense “allowed too many big plays” Saturday, including six gains of 15 yards or more by the first-team offense against the defensive twos and three plays of at least 45 yards surrendered by the second-team defense.
Even the starters struggled at times. The first-team defense allowed a 63-yard touchdown pass from KJ Jackson to Monte Harrison, as well as an 18-yard touchdown from Taylen Green to Mike Washington.
“Our twos started off and we didn’t start off like we should. Not to our standards,” Williams said. “The ones go out there and they get a three-and-out, and the next drive was a four-and-out. And then the third [drive], it was a third-and-16 and we gave up an explosive pass. So, we’ve got to do better there.”
The defense did improve in the two-minute and red zone periods. Williams and Pittman agreed those moments showed flashes of progress, but consistency remains the focus as the Razorbacks prepare for their season opener.
Williams said most of the breakdowns were tied to pre- and post-snap communication. The staff has emphasized communication throughout camp, making it a daily priority.
“It’s not anything we can’t fix. It’s not that we don’t have the talent or the guys to do it,” linebacker Stephen Dix said. “The margin for error being small, it’s just talking and saying, ‘Hey, I’ve got this guy. You’ve got him.
“If they do this, we’re going to execute this.’ Whatever it may be. So I think it’s just communication. We get that on lock, we’ll be a dominant defense.”
The Razorbacks are expected to incorporate more blitzing and aim for more turnovers than last season, according to Williams.
“How you scare offenses, it’s not about the play calls,” Williams said. “It’s people just smothering the ball. We have to get to the ball like our life depends on it. Every snap, no matter who’s out there.”
Williams, now in his third season as defensive coordinator, has a reputation for high-energy units.
Arkansas is returning six defensive starters and has added several transfers, with hopes that the new mix of talent will improve man coverage and create more pressure, according to a preseason forecast.
Pittman said the defense’s size and athleticism will be crucial.
“We’re big and we’re talented. We can run. Corner has a lot of depth there,” Pittman said earlier this summer.
The Razorbacks are expected to continue using the 3-3-5 alignment that appeared in the spring, putting more speed and versatility on the field.
Secondary depth is a concern, but transfers and underclassmen are pushing for playing time.
According to Pro Football Focus, only five of the 16 defenders who played at least 300 snaps last season are back for 2025.
Pittman’s job status has drawn national attention, but he remains confident the defense can improve. “I think we’re pretty talented,” Pittman said. “We’ve just got to prove it on the field.”
Williams said the defense’s identity will be defined by communication and effort.
“If you’re a football coach, coach football. Don’t complain,” he said. “It is what it is. At the end of the day, nobody cares anyway. So defensively, we’re going to play intimidating defense.”
The Razorbacks have just under three weeks to find the right formula. The season starts Aug. 30 in Razorback Stadium against Alabama A&M at 3:15 p.m. The game will be televised on SEC Network.
Former Razorback running back on playing for Hatfield, this year’s group
Recalling his time playing for Ken Hatfield in the 1980’s what he’s thinking about new faces in backfield this season.
Razorbacks defensive coordinator, linebackers coach on preseason
Trying to develop his side of the ball playing faster, flying to ball has been Travis Williams’ goal all along preparing for season.
Razorback linebackers Bradley Shaw, Stephen Dix after practice Monday
How one of more experienced groups progressing through preseason practices, what they have been working on in camp.
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 8-11-25
HOT TAKE MONDAY: Mike Washington will go over 1,000 rushing yards this season, Gruden wants to get back into coaching, plus former Razorback RB James Rouse joins us!
Former Razorback Little’s 70-yard field goal wows Jaguars fans in preseason thriller
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little booted a 70-yard field goal as time expired in the first half of Saturday night’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Because it wasn’t a regular-season game it won’t count for record purposes.
Little’s field goal cleared the crossbar comfortably, capping the Jaguars’ final drive of the second quarter and cutting the Steelers’ lead at halftime.
The feat, while unofficial, would have surpassed the league’s longest field goal on record, a 66-yarder set by Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker in 2021, if made during a regular-season game.
“It was a fun kick,” Little said following the game. “You dream about those moments as a kid, just seeing how far you can push it.”
Little, a Moore, Okla., native now entering his second NFL season, was selected by the Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
He finished his rookie year 27-of-29 on field goals, including a 59-yard long, and was perfect on extra points. He earned Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team honors and scored 108 points for Jacksonville.
At Arkansas, Little was the program’s most accurate kicker, connecting on 82.8% of his field goal attempts and making all 129 extra-point tries over three seasons. He was named First-Team All-SEC as a junior and earned Freshman All-American honors in 2021.
The 70-yard kick sparked immediate reaction across social media. ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted a video of the play, writing, “A 70-yard field goal from Cam Little. 70!”
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence called the moment “wild” and praised Little’s leg strength: “You don’t see that every day. We all kind of stared at each other like, ‘Did that just happen?’”
The kick came just one day after Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates, another former Arkansas Razorback, made a 57-yard field goal in preseason action against the Atlanta Falcons.
“We know what Cam can do from distance, but that was something special,” Jacksonville coach Doug Pederson said. “You don’t want to overreact to one kick, but it’s a good feeling knowing you’ve got that in your back pocket.”
NFL preseason statistics do not count toward official records, but the exhibition kick reignited discussion about the evolution of the kicking game.
“The science has changed,” former NFL kicker Nick Novak told The Associated Press. “You’re seeing kicks now that would’ve been unimaginable 20 years ago. Seventy yards is seventy yards. That’s just pure talent.”
Little’s feat adds to a growing list of young kickers making an impact in the league.
“The new generation doesn’t flinch,” said ESPN analyst Mina Kimes. “They’re coming in ready, and they’re pushing the limits every week.”
Despite the preseason setting, Jaguars fans and players celebrated the achievement.
“Maybe 72, maybe 73,” Little joked about his range. “I’ll have to test it in practice.” He added, “It’s still preseason. My job is just to be ready when my number is called.”
As the Jaguars continue their preseason schedule, Little’s performance has raised expectations for the team’s special teams unit.
“It’s one thing to do it in August,” Pederson said. “The real test comes when it’s December, the wind’s swirling, and three points mean the playoffs.”
Big plays shine, defensive concerns emerge at Razorbacks’ first fall scrimmage
Big plays by Arkansas running back Mike Washington and quarterback Taylen Green highlighted the Razorbacks’ first fall camp scrimmage Saturday.
It was defensive lapses left coach Sam Pittman looking for answers as the team prepares for the 2025 season. That probably will concern fans, too. It was a problem last season, too.
Washington, a transfer from New Mexico State, made an immediate impact for the second consecutive day.
After scoring on a 50-yard touchdown run during Friday’s practice, Washington opened Saturday’s scrimmage with a 62-yard reception from Green, later scoring on a four-yard run to cap the drive.
Washington also posted a 40-yard touchdown run against the second-team defense and caught an 18-yard touchdown pass on a wheel route.
“He’s really good,” Pittman said. “He’s fast. He can break tackles. He seems to set up blocks well. He seems like he can run forever.
“The first play of live tackling on the year he goes to the house on a little stretch play. He can make you miss. He’s just an all-around guy.”
The first-team offense, led by Green, primarily faced the second-string defense during the approximately 140-play scrimmage, according to a team spokesperson.
Green connected with O’Mega Blake and Raylen Sharpe for 15-yard passes, found tight end Jaden Platt for 20 yards, and running back Braylen Russell added a nine-yard rushing touchdown.
“Offense started hot with 1s versus 2s,” Pittman said. “They scored three times in that 15-play series.”
Pittman, though, said defensive breakdowns were a concern.
“There was too many big plays, and I’ve got to find out if it’s angles,” Pittman said. “I don’t think we’re missing tackles. I think it’s just angles and getting there, maybe we’re not dropping in the right spots.”
Quarterback KJ Jackson led the second-team offense with a 63-yard touchdown pass to receiver Monte Harrison, who turns 30 on Sunday. Jackson later found Harrison for 70- and 45-yard touchdowns against the second-team defense.
“KJ has really been playing well and running the offense well,” Pittman said. “Bobby [Petrino] has done a nice job of that, and [Jackson] has done a good job of learning the offense as well, too. But he’s been very accurate.”
Jackson also connected with tight end Rohan Jones for a 45-yard completion, and Russell scored an eight-yard touchdown run with the second team.
Trever Jackson, leading the third team, threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Courtney Crutchfield. Pittman said the third team committed multiple fumbles during the scrimmage.
Defensive highlights included an interception by Kani Walker, two sacks by Phillip Lee, one sack each by Larry Worth and Justus Boone, tackles for loss by Julian Neal and Tavion Wallace, and a fumble recovery by Frank Mulipola.
Sorey said breakdowns in communication were largely to blame for the big plays surrendered. The only gain of more than 20 yards allowed by the first-team defense was the 63-yard touchdown to Harrison.
“Most big-time plays that happen against the defense, or busted coverages or anything like that, it’s just communication,” Sorey said.
Freshman kicker Scott Starzyk made 5 of 6 field goals, converting from 35, 36, 39, 43 and 48 yards. His only miss was a 50-yarder affected by wind, according to Pittman.
“We’re working to simulate pressure situations,” Pittman said, adding that Starzyk has made 14 of 15 attempts in those moments.
Razorback kickers made 70% of their field goals last season, ranking 92nd out of 134 FBS teams.
Injury updates were minimal.
Tight end Andreas Paaske may have suffered a high-ankle sprain. Starting defensive tackle Cam Ball and running back Rodney Hill missed the scrimmage with AC joint sprains, but Pittman said both would have played if it had been a regular-season game.
Receiver Kam Shanks sat out with a hamstring injury but could return by Monday. Pittman said the team still needs to evaluate Shanks’ offensive role.
Center Caden Kitler returned to practice after being “banged up,” offensive line coach Eric Mateos said.
Pittman said Arkansas needs to “snap the ball a little better,” but did not specify whether Kitler or backup centers were responsible. Neal and Sorey have also dealt with hamstring issues but played in the scrimmage.
Arkansas quarterbacks are using a virtual reality headset to enhance their preparation.
Green said he uses the device for an hour before meetings and another hour at night, crediting the technology for improving his play recognition and decision-making.
“It speeds up my process, so I have more time to process if I have to check the play or if my protection is good,” Green said.
The linebacker rotation has included Stephen Dix, Bradley Shaw and UCF transfer Andrew Harris, as Sorey manages a hamstring injury. Harris, who has impressed coaches with his speed and physicality, is expected to play a significant role this season.
“He’s definitely a physical player and doesn’t shy away from it, and is always seeking contact,” Sorey said.
