Ruscin & Zach August 11
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).
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.”
