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Tweets, takeaways from busy weekend with the Razorbacks

Pete Morgan
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What a week in Razorbacks sports.

Arkansas basketball got underway with its exhibition debut at Bud Walton Arena. The football team lost its seventh game of the year to officially eliminate itself from bowl eligibility. And even the softball team played a little fall tune-up against our Sooner neighbors to the west.

The hardwood Hogs may have started slow against Tusculum, however we did put them away somewhat easy. What? From where is Tusculum you ask?

Ask any random Kentucky Wildcats fan from where their exhibition opponents (the Transylvania Bat) hail, and you will probably receive the same form of baffled response.

Razorbacks football fans expecting a bowl game from Chad Morris in his freshman season fell short on their predictions, and that fate was sealed far too soon Saturday in a 45–31 loss at home to a very decent Vanderbilt team.

Some loyal fans took to Twitter in protest about the current regime:

https://twitter.com/LindyJo_74/status/1056263228429348866

While others were more forgiving of the new coaching staff:

https://twitter.com/House_Razor/status/1056300932156276737

Speaking of Morris, his comments made about seeing “who is on-board” has some wondering if there are players no longer invested in the program and its future successes. It is that expression from the coach which leads me to believe why Andy Hodges prosed the last three games may look that of spring practice.

Just to make light of the topics at hand, I give you the Morning Rush’s John Nabors adding a bit of humor to this season’s frustration:

https://twitter.com/RushJohnNabors/status/1056265903313162240

And, lastly, the softball team had a two-game fall exhibition hosting Oklahoma in which Game 1, unfortunately, was very similar to our match-up against them in the Softball World Series this past season. Game 2, however, was a push, ending in a 2 -2 tie.

https://twitter.com/RazorbackSB/status/1056664571778424833

Finally, with no mention above, I am ending on what may be a hopeful note for many fans as Tye Richardson wonders if Kelly Bryant will wind up at Arkansas. Enjoy this interview Bryant had with ESPN’s Maria Taylor.

For the record, I am more than happy with Ty Storey at the helm next year. Am I mistaken? Please feel free to express your thoughts as always.

Go HOGS!!!

Find me and all of my nonsense on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS

LOOK: Petition For Arkansas NOT to play LSU at 11 a.m.

Tye Richardson
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https://www.change.org/p/razorback-fans-for-arkansas-not-to-play-lsu-at-11am

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Tuesday

Tye Richardson
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Tuesday

John & Tommy talk about their bye week plans, interview Jack Pilgrim of Kentucky Sports Radio, Would You Rather Tuesday and more!

Most of teams in Top 10 of media’s football poll stays same for final week

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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The teams stayed the same in the Week 9 Arkansas Media High School Football Poll as we head into the final week of the regular season with North Little Rock on top after narrowly beating Bryant last week.

The Hornets came into the game ranked second, but fall to No. 3 this week as Conway leapfrogs them in the second-place spot.

Class 6A Greenwood remains No. 4 and Bentonville fifth, but the three-way logjam at the No. 6 spot finally splits up some.

Bentonville West is No. 6 followed by Fayetteville and Class 5A Pulaski Academy.

Class 6A West Memphis and Class 4A Warren flip-flopped for ninth and 10th.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RANKINGS
Last year's final Arkansas High School Football poll as voted by a panel of state media. The new poll will be released Sunday night!
OVERALLRecordPtsPrv
1.Bryant (20)13-02001
2.North Little Rock8-51689
3.Bentonville11-11382
4.Pulaski Academy12-21337
5.Searcy12-111210
6.Benton9-4706
7.Joe T. Robinson14-154—
8.Bentonville West7-545—
9.Little Rock Christian13-1383
10.Harrison11-1324
Others receiving votes: Greenwood 27, Conway 24, Harding Academy 22, Shiloh Christian 10, Fordyce 8, Springdale Har-Ber 8, Fayetteville 6, Morrilton 3, LR Catholic 2.
CLASS 7A
1.Bryant (20)13-01001
2.North Little Rock8-5784
3.Bentonville11-1602
4.Bentonville West7-532—
5.Conway8-4213
Others receiving votes: Springdale Har-Ber 5, Fayetteville 4.
CLASS 6A
1.Searcy (20)12-11003
2.Benton9-4792
3.Greenwood10-2611
4.West Memphis7-2324
5.Jonesboro8-4215
Others receiving votes: Lake Hamilton 7.
CLASS 5A
1.Pulaski Academy (20)12-21003
2.Little Rock Christian13-1751
3.Harrison11-1602
4.Morrilton8-541—
5.Valley View10-1124
Others receiving votes: White Hall 10, Wynne 1, Vilonia 1.
CLASS 4A
1.Joe T. Robinson (20)14-11002
2.Shiloh Christian14-1773
3.Ozark12-2375
4.Arkadelphia11-2361
5.Crossett9-428—
Others receiving votes: Nashville 20, Jonesboro Westside 2.
CLASS 3A
1.Harding Academy (20)15-01002
2.Osceola12-2803
3.Prescott11-3574
4.Camden Harmony Grove11-338—
5.Rison11-2161
Others receiving votes: Melbourne 5, Booneville 2, Hoxie 2.
CLASS 2A
1.Fordyce (20)13-21003
2.Junction City11-2801
3.Gurdon10-446—
4.Salem10-2315
5.Des Arc9-3204
Others receiving votes: Hazen 17, Foreman 4, Magnet Cove 1, Carlisle 1.

Gaulden’s 27 leads six in double figures in whopping 115-53 win

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Redshirt sophomore A’Tyanna Gaulden scored 27 points leading six players in double figures as Arkansas raced to a 115-53 exhibition win over Southwest Baptist in Bud Walton Arena on Monday.

Gaulden was 11-for-18 including one 3-point field goal. She was 4-for-5 from the line and had two rebounds in 20 minutes of play.

Chelsea Dungee, a redshirt sophomore transfer from Oklahoma, drives for part of her 16 points against Southwest Baptist. PHOTO BY ANDY HODGES | HITTHATLINE.COM

Redshirt sophomore Chelsea Dungee added 16 points and seven rebounds while freshman Rokia Doumbia had 15 points followed by 13 points for newcomer Alexis Tolefree.

Razorbacks freshman guard Rokia Doumbia works in the lane against a Bearcast defender Monday night. PHOTO BY ANDY HODGES | HITTHATLINE.COM

Malica Monk, 12 and Kiara Williams, 10, rounded out the Razorbacks in double figures.

Malika Monk throws a pass inside against Southwest Baptist on Monday night. PHOTO BY ANDY HODGES | HITTHATLINE.COM

Arkansas came out of the gates fast going on a 13-2 run to start the game. The five starters were lifted at the 6:18 mark of the first quarter as coach Mike Neighbors made a full lineup change, one of many in the game.

The Razorbacks, regardless of the lineup, were able to score posting 32, 31 and 31 points in each of the first three quarters.

In addition to the fast-past offense, Arkansas took great care of the ball with only 10 turnovers. They grabbed 58 rebounds out-rebounding SWB by 18 in the win.

Conway’s Alexis Tolefree got hot in the second quarter against Southwest Baptist and totaled 13 points in the exhibition opener. PHOTO BY ANDY HODGES | HITTHATLINE.COM

Exhibition Records
• Points – 115
• Margin – 62 points
• Field Goals Made – 43
• 3-Point Field Goal Percentage – 40.9%
• Individual Field Goals Made – 11 by A’Tyanna Gaulden (tied Devin Cosper set in 2017)

Key Stats
• Six players in double figures lead by 27 from A’Tyanna Gaulden
• Thirteen players played
• All 13 players scored, and all 13 players saw double figure minutes

Notes
• It is the fifth time in program history Arkansas has scored 100+ points in an exhibition game
• Arkansas is 35-11 in all exhibition games
• Arkansas is 15-0 against NCAA teams in exhibition games
• The Razorbacks have won 15 in a row

Up Next
Arkansas hosts East Central University as exhibition action continues this season. The game is Thursday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena.

The Razorbacks open the regular season hosting Northwestern State Friday, Nov. 9 at 10:30 a.m.

Neighbors on record-setting runaway win in exhibition opener

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Razorbacks coach Mike Neighbors talked about a fast-moving team that put up shots in bunches in the 115-53 win over Southwest Baptist on Monday night.

Gaulden, Dungee talk about big exhibition win Monday night

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas players A’Tyanna Gaulden and Chelsea Dungee talked with the media for the first time after transferring and sitting out last year about the 115-53 win over Southwest Baptist.

Arkansas begins quest for first SEC soccer tournament title in Orange Beach

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — The 24th-ranked Razorback soccer team begins its quest for its first SEC Tournament title on Tuesday when it takes on fifth-seeded Ole Miss in the tournament quarterfinals at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.

First kick is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be televised on the SEC Network.

Arkansas enters the tournament with an 11-4-3 overall record with six of its wins coming in conference play. It’s the sixth appearance in the conference tournament in seven years under head coach Colby Hale.

Match 19 Info
Opponent: Ole Miss Rebels (SEC Tournament Quarterfinals)
Date: Monday, Oct. 30th
First Kick: 7:30 p.m.
Live Stats: http://bit.ly/2AzXyKi 
TV: SEC Network

The Razorbacks (11-4-3, 6-3-1 SEC) were able to secure the four-seed in the tournament after finishing tied for third in the league at the end of the regular season.

Ole Miss (12-6-1, 6-3-1 SEC) earned the five-seed in the tournament after knocking off regular-season champion Vanderbilt on the season’s final day.

This will be the second-straight year that Arkansas has opened the SEC Tournament against the Rebels and it’s the second time the two teams have faced off this season.

If Arkansas advances past the Rebels, it will face the winner of top-seed Vanderbilt and eight-seed Florida, which advanced past nine-seed Auburn on penalty kicks on Sunday.

Arkansas enters the tournament after a regular season filled with results against top-25 opponents coupled with an unbeaten record in Fayetteville.

The Razorbacks earned draws against No. 9 West Virginia and No. 25 Mississippi State, while also defeating No. 2 Texas A&M and No. 21 Auburn. Those four results this year is more than any other team in the SEC.

Even though this week’s slate of matches won’t be inside the friendly confines of Razorback Field, Arkansas has been tough to beat in Orange Beach over the last two seasons.

The Razorbacks have reached the SEC Tournament final in each of the last two years and are coming off a spectacular run one year ago that saw them become the lowest-seeded team to ever reach a tournament final.

Juniors Kayla McKeon and Tori Cannata continue to lead the squad offensively as both are tied for the team lead in goals (7) and points (16). Tuesday’s match will be the first for Cannata after she was named to the All-SEC Second Team.

It’s her first postseason honor in her career as she is the only player on the team with two or more multi-goal games.

Junior Stefani Doyle was also named to the All-SEC Second Team and sophomore Haley VanFossen represented the Razorbacks on the All-SEC First Team.

Doyle is the fourth Razorback ever to be named to an All-SEC team and the SEC All-Freshman team in a career.

VanFossen is in the midst of one of the best seasons for a Razorback defender as she has been crucial to Arkansas’ six clean sheets this year and has been a part of 16 shutouts in her career.

She’s played 90 or more minutes 12 times this year and has helped limit opponents to an average of 5.6 shots on goal per game.

Quick Kicks

• Arkansas secured the four-seed of the SEC Tournament after going 6-3-1 in the SEC. It’s the second-highest finish for the Razorbacks in program history and they will face five-seed Ole Miss in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

• This will be the second time Arkansas has faced Ole Miss this season, the last match coming on Oct. 7 in Oxford. However, the Rebels won that match, 3-1. This is also the second-straight year Arkansas has started the SEC Tournament against Ole Miss.

• Arkansas concluded an unbeaten regular-season record at home two weeks ago with a 3-1 win over No. 21 Auburn. It’s the first time in program history a Razorback team has completed an unbeaten home record in the regular season.

• Sophomore Haley VanFossen, as well as juniors Tori Cannata and Stefani Doyle, were named to All-SEC teams over the weekend. VanFossen was named to the first team on defense, while Cannata and Doyle earned second-team honors.

• Since Colby Hale became the head coach in 2012, the Razorbacks have only missed the SEC Tournament one time.

• With a win over No. 21 Auburn two weeks ago, Arkansas has more results (wins or ties) against Top-25 teams than any other team in the SEC this season (No. 9 West Virginia, No. 2 Texas A&M, No. 25 Mississippi St., No. 21 Auburn).

• In last year’s SEC Tournament, Arkansas became the lowest-seeded team (8) to ever reach the final, winning three matches in five days. It was the team’s second-straight tournament final appearance.

• Juniors Kayla McKeon and Tori Cannata continue to lead the team in scoring heading into the conference tournament. Both have matched each other with seven goals and 16 points. Both totals are career highs for Cannata.

• Arkansas has reached the SEC Tournament finals four times in its history, including each of the last two years. The four finals appearances ties for fourth-most in the SEC.

• Arkansas is in search of its first SEC Tournament championship in program history. This will be its 12th appearance overall and third straight.

Phil Elson shares his thoughts on the tragedy that occurred in Squirrel Hill

Tye Richardson
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Phil Elson shares his thoughts on the tragedy that occurred in Squirrel Hill

 

???? Monday Halftime Pod- Featuring Matt Jones

Tye Richardson
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Phil and Tye interview former Arkansas QB Matt Jones, 3 up 3 down, and Boston as the best sports town in America.

Fans may get three spring games rest of this season

Andy Hodges
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After Arkansas’ 45-31 loss to Vanderbilt last Saturday, apparently Chad Morris had finally reached his limit on getting beat by teams that shouldn’t be doing that.

Publicly, he took the blame.

“It’s on me,” he said in the post-mortem after the game.

Before that he had reportedly blistered the team in the dressing room. With no bowl game possible now, Morris may be putting every scholarship and roster spot on the team on the line.

In other words, there could very likely be a four-week audition for scholarships. it very likely could be a case of if you want to play for the Razorbacks, you better earn it over the next four weeks.

That’s not just on the field, either. This next month wouldn’t be a good time to miss classes, workouts, tutoring sessions or anything else. The players might be well-advised to follow the old theory my Marine Corps father preached that “if you’re 15 minutes early, you’re really 15 minutes late.”

Morris has some options open to him now going into the final month of the season in terms of juggling roster spots for the future.

The guess here is these last three games and this week of pure practice is going to more closely resemble a spring practice than anything else. It wouldn’t be completely surprising to see a level of physicalness not normally seen during the regular season.

In 1963, Arkansas had fallen from a 34-10 run over the previous four seasons to a 4-5 record heading into the last game of the season against Texas Tech. On the trip back to Fayetteville from Dallas, seniors approached Frank Broyles and said they wanted to scrimmage the following week in practice.

Though surprised by the request, it was a measure of leadership Broyles agreed to and the Hogs beat Texas Tech the following Saturday to finish the season 5-5.

There will be no magical storybook finish like that for this team, even if they go out and do nothing but line drills and the old Oklahoma drill every day. It’s a different day and age.

But Morris is right about the fact this team has lost four games now to teams they should have beaten.

Colorado State, North Texas (running third in their own division in Conference USA right now), Ole Miss and Vanderbilt are games this team should have won if the players had played up to their ability level.

Instead, we’ve seen the effects of two years of a lack of accountability, an apparent lack of direction and zero player development at many key positions on the field (the offensive line is the first exhibit).

Morris and his staff came in and appeared to have given players the benefit of the doubt. With today’s extremely limited amount of practice time and direct work with the players, there is only so much coaches can do.

They’ve all been taking the blame for it publicly and likely will continue to do so.

The reason for this mess, though, falls squarely on the players, in my opinion. Players can’t blow off classes, be late to practice, miss tutoring sessions, doze off in meetings and other things and still be a winning football team.

There will now be consequences.

Morris is doing what coaches have done since the beginning of time in this situation. They can’t come in and clean house. They feel every player on the roster has a chance to prove he belongs there.

With no bowl game for 15 additional practices, this staff likely will use these last four weeks as spring practice. The three games against LSU, Mississippi State and Missouri will be the equivalent of spring games that actually count.

Having a scholarship to play football at Arkansas is not a right … it’s a privilege.

The guess here is those that want to stay are going to have to earn that privilege.

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