How teams playing heading to end of year and looking at head coaching openings plus his choice for Razorbacks’ spot.
Razorbacks’ coach previewing solid roster with Texas he’s facing this week
Bad memories from only time playing in Austin plus Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning feeling the heat that comes with the position.
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 11-17-25
Recapping Arkansas Football’s one-score loss to LSU and a narrow win for the basketball Hogs over the weekend on a Hot Take Monday!
Razorbacks fall late at LSU as more missed chances prove costly
BATON ROUGE, La. — Arkansas built an early lead but could not hold it late, falling 23-22 to LSU on Saturday at Tiger Stadium.
The Razorbacks dropped to 2-8 overall and 0-6 in SEC play after seeing a 14-0 start turn into a narrow road loss.
Arkansas scored on special teams and on the ground in the first quarter, but turnovers, a missed field goal and a stalled drive at the LSU 1-yard line changed the momentum.
Caleb Wooden gave Arkansas a spark when he blocked a punt and returned it 16 yards for a touchdown. The scoring play put the Razorbacks ahead midway through the first quarter.
Arkansas followed with an 11-play, 52-yard scoring drive that ended with an 11-yard touchdown run by Mike Washington. Taylen Green added a two-point conversion run for a 14-0 lead.
LSU began to shift the game in the second quarter. Tigers running back Cayden Durham broke free for a 27-yard touchdown run to trim the Arkansas lead.
LSU later added field goals to close the gap even more. Damian Ramos made kicks from 36 and 28 yards before halftime.
Arkansas continued its early run-heavy plan but struggled to finish drives. Green threw two interceptions, including one in the end zone.
The Razorbacks reached the LSU 1-yard line in the third quarter but came away empty when the Tigers stopped a fourth-down run.
LSU followed with another field goal to take its first lead of the game at 16-14.
Arkansas answered with a key drive midway through the third quarter. Washington scored his second rushing touchdown, a 9-yard run.
Green again converted a two-point attempt to give the Razorbacks a 22-16 lead. Green finished 11-of-19 for 165 yards with two interceptions and added 70 rushing yards on 17 carries.
Tigers take control late as Razorbacks come up short
LSU responded in the fourth quarter with the drive that decided the game.
Tigers quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. led a 12-play, 92-yard march that ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Bower Sharp. Ramos made the extra point for a 23-22 LSU lead with under eight minutes left.
Arkansas had a chance to answer again. The Razorbacks attempted a 48-yard field goal but missed, keeping LSU in front.
The Tigers then controlled the clock and allowed Arkansas no final chance to regain the lead.
Interim coach Bobby Petrino said the Razorbacks’ struggles to finish drives were the difference.
“We got down into the red zone too many times and didn’t come away with points,” Petrino said. “We have to make those plays. Offense, defense and special teams, we all had our opportunities to find a way to win the game and we didn’t get it done.”
Arkansas’ defense limited LSU’s big plays for much of the game. Still, the two-point conversions and special-teams touchdown were not enough to offset mistakes.
LSU’s methodical scoring, including three field goals from Ramos, proved steady through the afternoon.
The Razorbacks’ early start was one of their best of the season. Wooden’s punt block, Washington’s strong running and Green’s physical rushing helped Arkansas find rhythm.
But as the game moved on, LSU controlled long stretches of possession, keeping Arkansas’ offense off the field and reducing chances for the Razorbacks to extend their lead.
The loss continued a difficult stretch for the Razorbacks, who have dropped several close games this season. Arkansas held fourth-quarter leads in multiple games but has struggled to close them.
Arkansas’ offense finished with steady production on the ground but inconsistent results through the air.
Green’s rushing kept drives alive, but turnovers kept changing things. Washington’s two rushing touchdowns gave Arkansas hope until late.
On defense, the Razorbacks held LSU without a passing touchdown until the decisive final drive. Durham’s touchdown run and LSU’s steady kicking game proved enough to counter Arkansas’ early push.
Arkansas will look to regroup as it moves deeper into November.
With two games left, the Razorbacks are going to have to figure something out for any kind of win on the road against Texas and finishing the season against Missouri.
The hill to the end isn’t getting any smaller.
Key takeaways
- Arkansas built a 14-0 lead with strong special teams and rushing but struggled to hold it.
- Missed red-zone chances, a failed kick and two interceptions kept the Razorbacks from extending their lead.
- LSU’s late touchdown drive and steady kicking helped the Tigers close out the 23-22 win.
Arkansas holds off Samford behind Acuff’s 20 points in close one
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. scored 20 points, and No. 21 Arkansas held off a late push from Samford for a 79-75 win Friday night at Bud Walton Arena.
The Razorbacks improved to 3-1, staying unbeaten at home as they moved through the early part of their nonconference schedule.
Another freshman, guard Meleek Thomas, finished with 17 points and eight rebounds.
Senior forward Trevon Brazile returned after missing time with back spasms and added 15 points and seven rebounds.
DJ Wagner and Billy Richmond III also reached double figures with 10 points each. Arkansas placed five players in double digits for the first time this season.
The Razorbacks built a 15-point lead in the second half before Samford made a late run.
The Bulldogs cut the margin to single digits in the final minutes after struggling to match Arkansas’ pace early.
Samford scored 40 points in the second half after putting up 35 before the break.
Arkansas controlled the game in transition, finishing with a 22-9 edge in fast-break scoring.
The Razorbacks also outscored Samford 40-32 in the paint, using their size and length at the rim. The team’s ability to get downhill, especially through its young guards, created most of the separation.
Samford showed better balance in the second half. Guard Cade Norris and reserve forward Zion Wilburn each scored 15 points to lead the Bulldogs.
Wilburn sparked the bench with physical play inside, while Norris found room on the perimeter after halftime.
Samford stayed within reach as Arkansas cooled from the field, but the Razorbacks held firm in the final minute.
Arkansas entered the night having won its first two home games by large margins. The Razorbacks’ only loss came earlier on the road when they fell to then-No. 22 Michigan State, 69-66.
Friday’s game marked the closest home contest of the season as Samford tested Arkansas’ defense late.
Coach Lennie Acuff, in his first season leading Samford, saw his team bounce back from heavy travel after a 93-90 road win in overtime earlier in the week.
The Bulldogs dropped to 2-2 but showed stretches of efficient offense and perimeter pressure.
Thomas continued his strong start as one of Arkansas’ top rebounding guards. He helped the Razorbacks keep second-chance chances alive and often matched up with bigger Samford forwards.
His eight rebounds were the most among Arkansas players.
Brazile’s steady return also helped the Razorbacks close out the game. He moved fluidly despite missing previous time and hit several mid-range shots that slowed the Bulldogs’ momentum.
His presence on the glass and as a cutter opened space for Acuff and Thomas to attack.
Samford’s rally tightens second half
Norris found rhythm late, scoring key baskets during a 12-3 Samford run. The Bulldogs pushed the pace and forced Arkansas into tough shots.
Their improved shooting and interior passing cut what had been a comfortable Arkansas lead to a two-possession game.
Arkansas held on behind free throws and defensive rebounds in the final minute. The Razorbacks played cleaner late than earlier in the half, when rushed possessions allowed Samford to close the margin.
Arkansas’ ability to secure the defensive glass, along with Thomas’ pressure on the perimeter, helped end the threat.
The Razorbacks scored consistently at the basket throughout the game.
They used ball screens to open driving lanes for Acuff, who hit key floaters and finished strong at the rim. Richmond added slashing drives that kept Samford from overloading the paint.
Wagner, often working as a secondary ballhandler, supplied balance with timely mid-range shots.
His 10 points came in situations where Arkansas needed to reset its offense. Richmond scored in transition, hitting open lanes when Arkansas pushed after turnovers.
Razorbacks move to 3-1 heading into next week
Arkansas will continue its homestand Tuesday when Winthrop visits Bud Walton Arena. The Razorbacks have won all three home games by a combined margin of 73 points.
Their defense has allowed 75 or fewer in each of their wins.
Samford will travel to face Central Arkansas on Sunday.
The Bulldogs continue a stretch of road games under their new coaching staff and will try to build on Friday’s late surge.
Key takeaways
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Freshman guards Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas led Arkansas with a combined 37 points and strong rebounding.
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Samford cut a 15-point deficit in the second half, but Arkansas held on with late defense and transition scoring.
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Five Razorbacks reached double figures as the team improved to 3-1 and stayed unbeaten at home.
‘Are You Serious’ podcaster Blake Ruffinio on if LSU still has shot at Kiffin
After dysfunction with the Tigers from the governor of Louisiana on down, is Lake Kiffin re-thinking things down in Baton Rouge?
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 11-14-25
Football Friday! A historic matchup of SEC interim coaches is set for tomorrow in Baton Rouge, your worst injury, and more on the Battle for the Golden Boot!
Guests: Blake Ruffino
