Arkansas rolls past Southern 109-77 in season opener at Bud Walton
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas opened its season with a 109-77 win over Southern on Monday night, giving John Calipari a convincing victory to begin his second year with the Razorbacks.
The No. 14 Razorbacks were without sophomore forward Karter Knox, sidelined by a toe sprain, but didn’t struggle to score.
Arkansas shot 57 percent from the field, led by Trevon Brazile’s double-double and strong showings from freshmen Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas.
The Razorbacks recorded 23 assists against only nine turnovers, moving the ball with pace while forcing 15 turnovers on defense. Calipari said he liked the unselfish play but noted room for improvement defensively.
“It was fun to see so many guys contribute,” Calipari said. “We shared the ball, and that’s what I want to see. But we have to stay disciplined on defense.”
Freshmen make instant impact
Acuff, a 6-foot-2 guard from Detroit, became the first Arkansas freshman to score 20 points in a half in his debut. He had 20 before halftime and finished with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-5 from three-point range.
Thomas added 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including four threes, and grabbed six rebounds with seven assists. He also recorded three steals in 29 minutes.
“He is super special,” Thomas said of Acuff. “He’s super talented on offense and really getting good on defense. I’m proud of him.”
Thomas said his focus was on making an impact across the stat sheet. “I really pride myself on stat-stuffing,” he said. “If I can master defense and the other things, the sky’s the limit.”
Brazile anchors veteran core
Brazile led Arkansas with 25 points and 11 rebounds, hitting 8 of 14 shots and 8 of 10 from the free-throw line. His performance included a fast-break dunk that electrified the Bud Walton Arena crowd.
“The whole summer, the way we were scrimmaging, that’s just the way I’ve been playing,” Brazile said. “I know for us to be successful, I’ve got to keep playing that way. I’m just doing my job.”
The veteran forward was one of six Razorbacks to score in double figures. Arkansas finished with 62 points in the paint and 19 on fast breaks while holding Southern to just 39 percent shooting.
Southern guard Jordan Johnson led the Jaguars with 19 points and five assists.
Early run sets the tone
Southern took a 2-0 lead before Arkansas responded with a 12-1 run behind DJ Wagner’s layup and three-pointer. The Razorbacks led 19-6 with 14 minutes left in the first half, forcing Southern into early foul trouble.
The Jaguars trimmed the margin to 21-12 after a four-minute scoring drought from Arkansas that included several turnovers. Acuff and Thomas then sparked a 10-2 run, and Arkansas never looked back.
The Razorbacks led 52-37 at halftime. Calipari’s team opened the second half with a 13-2 run capped by consecutive threes from Thomas and a dunk from Brazile. The lead grew to 37 midway through the half, and Arkansas’s reserves closed out the final minutes.
Calipari sees positives and lessons
Calipari said he liked the team’s passing and balance but noted moments where the Razorbacks’ defense slipped when Southern applied pressure.
“There’s a lot of good that came from this game,” Calipari said. “But there’s a lot of stuff we’ve got to teach. You can’t have stretches where you lose focus.”
Arkansas finished 12 of 27 from three-point range and 19 of 23 from the line. The Razorbacks also outrebounded the Jaguars 42-30 and scored 21 points off turnovers.
“The effort was there,” Calipari said. “We moved the ball, didn’t settle for bad shots, and our guys competed. Now we’ve got to keep building.”
Next up
Arkansas (1-0) will travel to East Lansing to face No. 22 Michigan State on Friday. The matchup will be televised on Fox at 6 p.m. Central.
Southern (0-1) will play at Dayton on Thursday.
Key takeaways:
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Arkansas freshmen Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas combined for 43 points in their college debuts.
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Trevon Brazile’s 25-point, 11-rebound double-double anchored the Razorbacks’ balanced attack.
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John Calipari praised his team’s ball movement but emphasized the need for better defensive consistency.
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Arkansas hosts Southern Monday at 6 p.m. in season opener
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas opens the men’s basketball season Monday night when they host the Southern Jaguars at Bud Walton Arena.
Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. with television coverage on SEC Network. On radio you can listen here on HitThatLine.com or on the radio 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.
The game marks the official start of the John Calipari era in Fayetteville as Arkansas looks to build momentum early against a veteran Southern team.
Southern, out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, returns several key players from last year’s 19-10 squad. Meanwhile, Arkansas aims to blend its transfers and returning core after a strong preseason showing.
Calipari’s Razorbacks swept their two exhibition games, defeating Cincinnati 89-61 and Memphis 99-75. Monday’s contest gives the team its first official chance to perform under regular season pressure in front of a home crowd.
Broadcast and streaming information
The game will air live on SEC Network with a 6 p.m. tip. Radio broadcasts will be available across Arkansas, and listen here on HitThatLine.com or on the radio 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..
Streaming fans should be aware that YouTube TV subscribers currently cannot access SEC Network due to an ongoing contract dispute.
Fans can still watch through alternate providers that carry the channel or listen via radio networks.
Bud Walton Arena, which seats more than 19,000 fans, is expected to be near capacity for the opener.
Parking and entry guidelines will follow standard game-day procedures, and fans are encouraged to arrive early.
Southern’s background and mindset
Southern enters under third-year head coach Kevin Johnson, who has guided the Jaguars to consistent success in the SWAC. Last season, they finished 19-10 overall and captured the league’s regular season title.
The Jaguars are known for disciplined defense and a balanced offense, which could present an early test for Arkansas. Johnson’s squad will look to slow tempo and attack in transition when possible.
Arkansas forward Nick Pringle said the Razorbacks are approaching the matchup with focus and respect.
“They won their conference last year,” Pringle said. “They’re supposed to win this year. So every one is going to count for us this year. That’s the type of team that would shock you. We want to take this as any game.”
Pringle added that complacency is something the team has discussed repeatedly. “Complacency is one of the words that I use a lot, just with the group of guys we have,” he said.
Arkansas’ approach under Calipari
In his second season at Arkansas, Calipari has emphasized defense, tempo, and maturity. The Razorbacks finished 22-14 last year and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen before falling to Texas Tech.
Preseason exhibitions offered a glimpse of what Arkansas hopes to showcase — depth, size, and unselfish play. Calipari’s rotations featured both veterans and newcomers, with several transfers contributing early.
Pringle said Calipari has balanced encouragement with accountability.
“Coach is very honest with us, so he tells us when we’re doing good and he tells us when we’re lacking or doing bad,” Pringle said. “It’s been both, really, and that’s how it should be, especially this early in the season.”
He added that Calipari’s expectations were clear from the start.
“From our performances, especially the first one, he was very excited about what we put out. He challenged us a bit.”
What to watch Monday night
The opener will reveal how Arkansas executes against a well-coached, experienced opponent. Three key questions surround the matchup.
First, how quickly will the Razorbacks find consistency under Calipari’s system? The new pieces must blend with returning leaders to create a cohesive lineup.
Second, can Southern carry its SWAC success onto a Power Five stage? The Jaguars’ defensive intensity could test Arkansas’ spacing and shot selection.
Third, how will the Razorbacks respond to their first real game action of the season? Early turnovers and shot discipline could decide momentum in the first half.
Pringle said the team is eager to show progress. “We want to showcase to our fans what we want to do for this first game and throughout the season,” he said.
Game logistics and outlook
Both teams enter 0-0, but each brings contrasting styles. Arkansas will look to push pace and dominate in the paint.
Southern aims to control tempo and limit second-chance points.
The Razorbacks hope a strong start at home will set the foundation for the coming non-conference schedule before SEC play begins later this winter.
Southern, coming off a championship year, seeks to add another statement win to its program history.
Key Takeaways:
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Arkansas hosts Southern on Monday at 6 p.m. CST at Bud Walton Arena with coverage on SEC Network.
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Southern, last year’s SWAC champion, brings a disciplined approach under coach Kevin Johnson.
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Forward Nick Pringle emphasized avoiding complacency as Arkansas begins its first full season under John Calipari.
Former Razorback Little drills 68-yard field goal, sets NFL record for longest kick
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In a moment sure to be remembered for years, Cam Little of the Jacksonville Jaguars drilled a 68-yard field goal just before halftime, setting a new NFL record for the longest field goal in a regular-season game.
The kick came in the Jaguars’ 30-29 overtime win over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
The previous record of 66 yards belonged to Baltimore’s Justin Tucker, who hit his in 2021.
Little’s kick added two yards to that mark, making him the first player in league history to convert from beyond 67 yards in a game that counts.
A second-year kicker from Arkansas, Little was coming off a stretch of misses that had drawn attention. Jacksonville coach Liam Coen, however, said the organization had “no plans to bring in another kicker,” expressing confidence in the young player’s ability to bounce back.
Coen’s decision was rewarded when Little’s strike cleared the crossbar with room to spare. The ball left his foot cleanly and cut through the indoor air at Allegiant Stadium, sending the Jaguars’ sideline into celebration as time expired in the half.
Trevor Lawrence, who helped move the team into position with two quick completions, said afterward that he had “no doubt” Little would make it.
“Cam’s got the leg,” Lawrence said. “It was more about giving him a chance.”
How the record kick unfolded
With 28 seconds remaining before halftime, Jacksonville started its drive at its own 31-yard line after a touchback.
Lawrence hit Christian Kirk for 14 yards and then Evan Engram for another five, setting up a long-shot attempt. After a quick spike, Little lined up for a 68-yarder that would make history.
The ball traveled cleanly through the uprights and into the net, sparking cheers from both benches.
Even Raiders players offered applause after the officials confirmed the kick was good.
Little’s previous longest in a regular-season game had been 59 yards, set last year as a rookie.
He had also made a 70-yard field goal in a preseason warm-up earlier in 2025, but those kicks do not count toward official records.
The field goal was part of a tight game that eventually required overtime, where Jacksonville secured the win on a short touchdown run.
For Little, though, the moment came earlier — with a kick that instantly rewrote the league’s kicking history.
Per ESPN Research, there have been seven field goals of at least 60 yards this season, the most ever in one year.
The previous record was five, indicating how modern training and leg strength have changed the way teams approach long-distance attempts.
Little’s kick moved that standard even higher, setting a mark that could stand for years.
From Arkansas standout to NFL record-holder
Little’s rise began at Arkansas, where he became one of the most accurate kickers in program history.
Drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he quickly earned Jacksonville’s trust.
As a rookie, he went 21-of-25 on field goals and was nearly perfect from inside 40 yards. But early this season, he hit a rough patch, missing three of his last four attempts before the record-setting day.
Rather than make changes, Coen and special teams coordinator Heath Farwell stayed patient. “We just told him to keep swinging,” Coen said. “Sometimes the next kick is the one that changes everything.”
That next kick, in this case, was one for history. Little’s 68-yarder not only erased Tucker’s 66-yard record but also gave the Jaguars a halftime boost that carried through the second half and into their narrow overtime win.
What the record means
Little’s record-setting field goal is another sign of how far NFL special teams have evolved.
Improved field conditions, refined mechanics, and modern strength programs have expanded what is possible for kickers.
For Jacksonville, it’s also a sign of stability. Little’s leg could become a major strategic advantage late in halves or close games.
Instead of punting near midfield, the Jaguars can now realistically consider field goal attempts from almost anywhere beyond the 50-yard line.
The kick also capped a comeback story. From a slump that had some questioning his confidence, Little emerged with a record that may define his career.
“It’s special,” Little said after the game. “You dream about moments like that. I just tried to stay calm, trust my swing, and let it happen.”
Key takeaways
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Cam Little broke the NFL regular-season record with a 68-yard field goal.
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The kick helped Jacksonville earn a 30-29 overtime win over the Raiders.
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The Jaguars’ trust in Little after early-season struggles paid off in historic fashion.
Auburn fires Hugh Freeze, raising stakes in Razorbacks’ coaching search
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Auburn’s decision to fire Hugh Freeze after two and a half seasons could have immediate consequences for Arkansas’ coaching search.
The move adds another SEC opening to an already crowded field being the fourth firing in the league and forcing the Razorbacks to accelerate his process before the competition for proven head coaches intensifies.
Freeze’s dismissal Sunday, first reported by ESPN, came after a 4-5 start and a 1-5 league record. Auburn went 15-19 under Freeze, including 6-16 in SEC play, and owes him a $15.8 million buyout through 2028.
For Arkansas, which is navigating a mid-season transition under interim coach Bobby Petrino, the change in Auburn creates both opportunity and urgency.
Recruiting overlap could shift south
Arkansas and Auburn routinely target many of the same high-school players in the Southeast, including prospects in Alabama, Mississippi, and east Texas.
Freeze’s departure could prompt some Auburn commits or transfer-portal targets to reopen their recruitment — a development Arkansas recruiters may monitor closely.
Auburn had signed back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes under Freeze and had added notable transfers such as quarterback Jackson Arnold and wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. With Freeze gone, the Tigers’ class could destabilize, and Arkansas could quietly benefit if uncertainty lingers on the Plains.
More broadly, the move signals to every SEC program that administrative patience is wearing thin.
Auburn fired Freeze just nine games into his third season, sending a reminder that results — not potential — determine longevity.
That reality looms large for Yurachek as he searches for Arkansas’ next coach following consecutive late-game collapses under Petrino.
Auburn’s collapse forces reset
Freeze took the Auburn job believing he could restore a national brand that had faded since the Gus Malzahn era.
His early optimism faded quickly once SEC play began.
The Tigers opened 3-0 in non-conference games, including a 38-24 win over Baylor, but lost their first four league contests and never recovered. Saturday’s 10-3 home loss to Kentucky proved the breaking point, as “Fire Hugh!” chants echoed through Jordan-Hare Stadium.
“I think it’s as settled as we’ve been as a program,” Freeze said back in April. “We’re on our way to getting where we want to be and where we should be.” Instead, Auburn slipped further behind rivals Alabama, LSU, and now Ole Miss in the SEC standings.
Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin will serve as interim coach while Auburn begins another high-profile national search.
Razorbacks’ timing becomes critical
Arkansas’ own search had already begun quietly behind the scenes, but Auburn’s sudden vacancy could compress the timeline.
Several of the same candidates likely to interest Arkansas — including up-and-coming Power 5 coordinators and Group of 5 head coaches — may also draw Auburn’s attention.
That overlap means Yurachek must decide whether to move decisively now or risk being left behind if Auburn strikes first.
The Razorbacks could frame their program as a more stable environment with less administrative turnover and a passionate fan base, though Auburn’s recent success in NIL funding and facilities remains a strong selling point.
The optics of Auburn’s decision could also affect Arkansas boosters.
Seeing a peer program act quickly after back-to-back losses may increase pressure on the Razorbacks’ administration to make their move official before December’s recruiting window.
Ripple effects across the SEC
Freeze’s buyout, reported at $15.8 million, illustrates how aggressive SEC schools are willing to be to change course.
If Auburn targets the same type of proven offensive mind Arkansas covets, the bidding war could escalate. If the Tigers pursue a splashy name such as Lane Kiffin or another sitting Power 5 coach, Arkansas might pivot toward a younger, developmental hire.
Either way, Freeze’s firing removes one familiar face from the SEC and creates another open chair in the coaching carousel — one that Arkansas must navigate carefully to avoid another extended rebuild.
Key takeaways
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Auburn’s firing of Hugh Freeze accelerates Arkansas’ coaching timeline as both SEC programs now compete for top candidates.
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Recruiting overlaps between Auburn and Arkansas could shift in the Razorbacks’ favor if Tiger commits reconsider their choices.
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The move underscores the SEC’s unforgiving results-driven environment, reinforcing pressure on Arkansas to find long-term stability.
