With game at 6:30 p.m. and temperatures expected to kick off at freezingand drop he may get his “freeze out” wish.
Halftime is LIVE with Phil Elson, Matt Jones, and Matt Travis
11:15 – Mike Irwin
1:15 – Connor O’Gara
Hogs Fall to LSU; Bowl or no bowl? Will KJ Play Saturday? Call or text, 877-377-6963
Bud Light Next Morning Rush Podcast: LSU takes the Boot back to Baton Rouge
Tough day for the Arkansas offense
The Morning Rush is LIVE following a bitter, close loss to the LSU Tigers
Call or text the show
877-377-6963
The Gimme the HAWGS Chuck Podcast E29: Arkansas comes up just short against LSU w/ Matt Jones
Presented by Weichert Realtors – The Griffin Company
Bad offenses make any defense look good in Hogs-LSU
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Mostly, Arkansas and LSU looked like two mules fighting over a turnip Saturday.
In a game with more wild mood swings than a crazy ex, the Tigers put together the one sustained offensive drive that could score a touchdown and came away with a 13-10 win.
It really was as ugly as the final score might make you think.
There will be platitudes for the defenses on both sides. While there were a few plays made, it was mostly a case of two offenses that seemed shocked at the below-freezing temperatures they awoke to.
LSU had players sick that morning. No word on anybody with the Razorbacks.
At this point that would sound like an excuse. Hogs coach Sam Pittman wasn’t doing any of that.
“We’re not blocking them and we’re not breaking any tackles,” he said in the post-mortem. “We have to block better and we have to make guys miss. We’re not doing that at any position.”
The two teams combined for 533 yards in offense. The Hogs were averaging 461 a game coming in while the Tigers were averaging a shade over 425 yards a game.
You can’t always rely on just the numbers. Sometimes you have to trust what you saw on the field and invoke some common sense. Spin it however you like.
From this seat on the 50-yard line it was ugly. Just by the sheer number of blown offensive assignments at just about every single position, the defenses would have looked good eating hot dogs and popcorn during some plays.
“We’re certainly running gap schemes, running inside zone schemes, running sweeps, running outside zone and not seeming to have much success on any of it now,” Pittman said. “They’ve got to respect that the quarterback’s going to pull the ball and throw it. If they don’t you’ve got problems.”
With Hogs quarterback KJ Jefferson not able to go, it fell on Malik Hornsby and about the only thing he had much success with was running out of bounds a few yards downfield. His passes wouldn’t have hit water throwing out of a boat.
Finally in the second half they pulled the plug on that and threw Cade Fortin into the game and had a little success, but then LSU freshman linebacker Harold Perkins got involved and made life miserable.
“There wasn’t a game plan for him really,” Hogs center Ricky Stromberg said later. “We knew he was out there. He could fire. We knew when he was in the box whenever we were in pass protection that he would spy, he would stay on the quarterback.
“I think he just got put in good situations to make good plays and he did.”
Fortin’s passing a clutch run or two actually gave everybody some hope the game would get some excitement in the fourth quarter. That never really completely happened.
“I kept thinking we might just spit a big play or something of that nature, but it wasn’t happening,” Pittman said. “We decided to go there. We still didn’t protect him well either.”
He did complete 8-of-13 passing with no interceptions and a touchdown that was mostly wide receiver Matt Landers making a catch and taking off down the left sideline. Typically, an LSU defender blew a tackle on the play.
This one was really summed up about the only way Pittman could: “We have to play better.”
For a team sitting at 5-5 overall and 2-4 in the SEC, you can forget a fancy bowl game this year. The Citrus Bowl and Cotton Bowl had people at the game, but that had more to do with the Tigers than the Hogs.
The Razorbacks have Ole Miss coming to town that was tied at 24 with Alabama on Saturday. It got away from them with the Crimson Tide defense coming to life for a quarter.
We’ll deal with whatever happens there next week.
The Hogs need to somehow find a way to jump-start a team stuck in neutral.
Razorbacks’ Sam Pittman on loss to LSU without starting quarterback
Strong defensive effort comes up short for Hogs against Tigers on a cold afternoon in 13-10 loss.
Hogs’ running back Raheim Sanders, center Ricky Stromberg
On adjusting to new quarterback for game plus LSU’s defense in cold weather for Saturday’s 13-10 loss.
Razorbacks linebacker Drew Sanders, defensive back Hudson Clark
Recapping strong defensive effort that comes up short in 13-10 loss to LSU on a cold day on Saturday.
LIVE BLOG: Razorbacks fall short against LSU in cold Saturday
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It’s game time at Razorback Stadium with Arkansas hosting seventh-ranked LSU on a bright and sunny day.
It is cold, though. Really cold.
We’lll have to wait to find out if KJ Jefferson is starting at quarterbck. The Hogs won the toss and deferred after starting with the ball a couple of times and that working out really well.
Keep it here for the updates with Andy Hodges.
First Quarter
1Q 8:12: With Malik Hornsby getting his first SEC start, the offense got some life after a 14-yard punt return from Bryce Stephens and moved down before getting stopped. Cam Little’s 28-yard field capped a 10-play, 46-yard drive. Hogs 3, Tiger s0
Hogs squander a chance to pick up cheap points after Latavious Brini recovered a Jayden Daniels’ fumble and a fourth-and-goal try from the 3 didn’t get close with Hornsby.
Second Quarter
2Q 9:28: After LSU knocked the ball loose from Hornsby on a scramble, the Tigers recovered. Daniels broke free on a 20-yard scramble, their offense stalled. LSU tied the game on a 38-yard field goal by Damian Ramos. Hogs 3, Tigers 3
2Q 1:51: In a game that is playing out with all of the excitement of watching two mules fight over a turnip, LSU started to for another fourth-and-1 before a penalty brought on Ramos for a 29-yard field goal. Tigers 6, Hogs 3
3Q 6:25: LSU just decides to run the ball and drives 40 yards in five plays with Daniels completing a 26-yard pass play over the middle on Simeon Blair, then Josh Williams going in un-touched from the 1. Tiger 13, Hogs 13
Hogs put Cade Fortin in at quarterback and promptly go three-and-out with LSU getting it back at their own 30.
Third quarter ends with apparently the game in the hands of Fortin, who has managed to get one first down but now facing third-and-17 from his own 15.
Fourth Quarter
4Q 13:17: Fortin making plays with his legs, but finally getting passing game going with the payoff coming as he took a big hit from Harold Perkins as the threw a perfect sideline strike to a streaking Matt Landers down the left sideline for a 40-yard scoring play. Tiger 13, Hogs 10
LSU’s Will Perkins makes key plays as Tigers manage to hang on for 13-10 win.
PETE’S PICKS: Hogs should at least keep it close against Tigers
Have you ever woke up in the morning, looked at yourself in the mirror, and then thought, “Today is going to be rough”?
Guess what, folks, mirror be damned, today is going to be hell as far as Razorback Football goes.
Arkansas hosts red hot LSU, and while the series for the Golden Boot has a history of close games and last minute upsets, the Hogs will need a lot of things to fall just right in order to walk off the field at Razorback Stadium victorious.
For one, the question remains: will KJ Jefferson play? Arkansas needs to either play him as much as possible or not at all. A two-quarterback approach will not work against LSU.
Our depleted secondary needs to step up and cover the receivers like their lives depend upon it.
Barry Odom has to have his scheme work to perfection today. It cannot afford to let LSU get an early jump on the scoreboard from which there may be no coming back.
Brian Kelly needs to fall asleep on the job. It will be an early, cold morning in Fayetteville, and hopefully the fine server folks at the LSU hotel switched all the coffee to decaf.
Kendal Briles needs to be on the top of his game today as well.
If it is Malik Hornsby as the signal caller we will have to throw the ball, otherwise the LSU defensive line and linebackers will be keying off on the run.
I am not breaking any news here.
Special teams have to be perfect as well.
We CANNOT have bad punts today in a contest which will be centered upon field position. LSU will own the day and the rivalry trophy easily no matter what happens in the other aspects of the game.
It will be early. It will be cold. Our fans have to be loud. This is a must.
These aforementioned tangibles must all align for any chance of the upset today. Remember, this is Fayetteville, not Little Rock, and our magic seems to have resided in War Memorial.
Can we channel our inner Houston Nutt and be pumped up for this game? Who knows, but just like loving your reflection at 6:00 AM, it does not look likely.
LSU, 28 – 25.
Random Thoughts
Remember when the weather seemed to be colder longer during football season?
I seem to recall countless games played with snow on the field and in the bleachers leading to snowballs being hurled from the student section in the direction of the Mississippi State or even Auburn benches.
Surely those were all on accident, right?
I have almost zero love for Joe Foucha and Greg Brooks, Jr. Moreso the prior. I am not against a kid doing what they feel will better themselves; however, the manner in which Fouche left was moderately classless. Why?
For one, LSU did not want Foucha coming out of high school. They completely blew the kid off. So he came to Arkansas where the coaches, trainers, and staff developed him into the “beast” he claims to be.
Then the Tigers came calling. The aggravating kicker was not his “easy” decision to go home, but it is in relation to how he tried to take other players with him.
We see that in softball a lot where coaches develop players who came to the first practice looking like Bambi on ice, and then they develop them into phenomenal players only to have some Johnny come lately coach recruit them to their team.
Ironically, these (dubbed by their parents) “superstar” players who jump ship because they think they have arrived often fall back into the mediocre player they were originally thus begin a new track of constantly looking for new teams to join.
Parents, a word of advice, as in most professions and hobbies, coaches talk to each other.
I digress.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who is a better dancer, Bruno Mars or Brian Kelly?
I am still nauseated about last week’s performance against Liberty. We did not do our program, the fans, the state, nor even the SEC proud, yet so many of us saw it coming.
TRIVIA ANSWER: Bruno of course. And if you have no idea why that is this week’s trivia question, you should really get on your phone more… You know, like Hugh Freeze. [Sorry, parting shot.]
I am proud to be a fan of the Razorbacks! Win or lose today nothing will change that.
Please do not ask me how I figure Arkansas will get that odd 25-point score.
Hey, social media warriors, chill out on the attacks upon Sam Pittman. The two followers of your anonymous burner account do not want to see it nor do the rest of us true, loyal Hogs fans.
Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 11 a.m. via HitThatLine.com and on the air at ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs, and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
SEC Picks for Week 11
To the HitThatLine Chase we go with this week’s expert projections. Expert of what, I do not know. Definitely not meeting deadlines, right, Andy?
Missouri at (5) Tennessee: Mizzou has no chance. None. In fact, Alabama fans have a higher percentage of figuring out why Missouri’s nickname has ‘Z’s instead of ‘S’s than the Tigers do in Knoxville. Vols by 24.
(7) LSU at Arkansas: Hope is not lost, but we are banged up, and LSU is on fire as of late. I hate to say it again, but Tigers by 3.
Vanderbilt at (24) Kentucky: Remember when seeing these two teams squaring off would have inspired a nap? It still might, but Kentucky is a far better program than in years past. Vandy is still Vandy. Wildcats by 20.
(9) Alabama at (11) Ole Miss – GAME OF THE WEEK: There is a storm brewing in Tuscaloosa with Bama no longer in playoff contention barring a major falling apart of the other Top Ten teams. The spoiled vocal lot of Crimson Tide fans are up in arms with Nick Saban forgetting the countless years of recent success. Fans are funny. Ole Miss fans are also a little bit out there, but that’s an entire different story, man. Maybe this will be a trap game for the Rebels as they know Arkansas awaits them next week… Anyone buying that? I have never picked against the Tide as of late. I am not today. Bama by 13.
South Carolina at Florida: This may be the most fun game to watch this week as far as match-ups go. I know it is in the swamp, but I like the way the South Carolina players perform for Shane Beamer. That’s the difference today. Gamecocks by 17.
(1) Georgia at Mississippi State: Poor little Pirates. This may actually stay close until Georgia wakes up in the second half. Bulldogs by 30.
Texas A&M at Auburn: What are the odds Jimbo Fisher keeps his job if his Aggies lose on the road at Auburn today? We probably will not find out, but it would be ironic if we did since the Tigers just gave Harsin his first buyout payment. A&M by 17.
Soller Opposites
You like gambling you say? Eric has channeled his inner Cliff Claven for this week’s edition expert (or anti-expert – your choice) gambling advice.
TCU @ Texas -7
The color purple was originally derived from painstakingly removing the snot of thousands of mollusks, making it a highly prized commodity for kings and other royalty across the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, Texas chose an off-shade orange as its team color during the depression era because it did not fade the uniforms while allowing them to cut dry cleaning costs.
Lavishness and frugality collide as TCU will take its statistically fluffed run offense into Austin to face a sneakingly strong Texas run D. On paper, the Frogs run totals look dominant until you peel the onion and see which opponents boosted those numbers. I don’t know if it is from peeling the onion, but making this week’s pick brings tears to my eyes:
Take Texas -7
Back to LSU at Arkansas; check in during the game for all the highlights and updates from Saturday’s contest.
Thoughts, Prayers, and good vibes for the Asbury Family.
It is funny how life changes quickly. One minute you are “marching” towards goals and plans for 2023, then the next thing you recognize your priorities and start looking more towards a holiday week and time spent by a Christmas tree with the ones who mean the most to you. “Ring” in the holidays early and cherish these people forever. I do.
Find me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS
Go HOGS!!!
