What’s Your Beef Wednesday! Traffic, Non-conference scheduling, sandbagging accusations? ALL OF IT!
Guests: Joe Adams
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 7-30-25
Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn on who’s coming back, new faces this year
Says Hogs will probably start fall practices earlier than other teams and finish sooner ahead of new season, new roster next spring.
Ruscin & Zach July 29
We have a media guide update, a squirrel trapping update.
Then, Ruscin asks the question what if Pittman is right and this team is good?
Razorbacks to recognize McFadden’s No. 5 with jersey patch, stadium display
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Former Arkansas running back Darren McFadden will receive a unique honor this season as the Razorbacks announce plans to commemorate his No. 5 jersey with a special patch, marking a first for the university’s football program.
The tribute will debut when Arkansas opens its season Aug. 30 against Alabama A&M.
A patch featuring McFadden’s initials and silhouette will be added to the front of the No. 5 jerseys, which this year will be worn by senior defensive tackle Cam Ball and freshman wide receiver Ja’Kayden Ferguson.
McFadden starred for Arkansas from 2005 to 2007, amassing 4,590 rushing yards and scoring 41 touchdowns in just three seasons. He twice won the Doak Walker Award and was the Heisman Trophy runner-up in consecutive years before being selected fourth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.
“It’s an honor to know that future generations will wear No. 5 and be reminded of what it means to be a Razorback,” McFadden said.
The honoring of McFadden’s number is distinct from a full jersey retirement. Only two other football jerseys have been retired by Arkansas — Clyde Scott’s No. 12 and Brandon Burlsworth’s No. 77.
McFadden’s number will remain available for current and future players, now distinguished by the commemorative patch.
Hunter Yurachek, Arkansas’ athletics director, said the patch will serve as a lasting reminder of McFadden’s contributions.
“Our fans’ memories of watching No. 5 race down the sideline, run through an SEC secondary or him ‘bringing dat wood’ will never be forgotten,” Yurachek said. “His legacy lives on at the University of Arkansas and this patch will serve as proof of that legacy every time we take the field.”
A permanent stadium display for McFadden’s No. 5 will be unveiled Oct. 18 during Arkansas’ game against Texas A&M at Razorback Stadium. His recognition will join the program’s most celebrated figures and highlight his accomplishments for future fans.
McFadden’s time at Arkansas included several milestones. He set the school’s single-season and career rushing records, led the Razorbacks to an SEC West title, and was a consensus All-American. He also contributed as a passer and return specialist, earning praise for his versatility and athleticism.
Opposing coaches frequently cited McFadden’s game-changing ability. But Hogs coach Houston Nutt saw it first-hand.
“McFadden is explosive, and he knows how to change the game as a whole,” Nutt said said following a 2007 game where he ran wild against South Carolina.
The university’s decision to honor rather than retire No. 5 keeps McFadden’s legacy active, allowing new players to represent the standard he established. The tribute is part of a broader effort to connect Razorback football’s rich history with its present.
McFadden’s career at Arkansas, highlighted by memorable performances such as the “Wild Hog” formation, left a lasting impact on the program.
Alongside Felix Jones, he formed one of college football’s most dynamic backfields, helping Arkansas reach the national spotlight.
Grant Hall on Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green, Sam Pittman around town
How leader of team was enjoying time visiting with fans out to eat last week and coach of the Hogs having good time at concert.
Ruscin & Zach July 28
We have lots of sports to discuss.
OK who are we kidding…there isn’t anything going on and we are just eating innings at this point.
Titans waive Burks after training camp injury ends unsteady run
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. The Tennessee Titans’ gamble on former Arkansas Razorback wide receiver Treylon Burks ended not with a bang, but a sigh.
On Monday, after a weekend practice injury left the third-year wide receiver with a fractured collarbone, the team waived the former first-round pick, signaling the end of a once-promising partnership that never quite found its stride.
Burks, a native of Warren, Ark., suffered the injury during a diving attempt at a deep ball in the end zone at Titans training camp, according to multiple reports. The moment was abrupt, but the sense of finality had been building for months.
Injuries had become a refrain in Burks’ career: a torn ACL in October 2023, recurring concussions, and a persistent struggle to stay on the field defined his time in Tennessee.
The Titans’ decision was as much about the future as it was about the past. With new additions like Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett reshaping the wide receiver room, Burks, once drafted in 2022 to help fill the void left by A.J. Brown’s departure, had slipped down the depth chart, fighting for a roster spot before his latest setback.
As general manager Ran Carthon noted in a statement, “This is a tough business and an unfortunate situation. We wish Treylon the best as he recovers.”
When Burks arrived out of Arkansas as the 18th overall pick, expectations were high. His blend of size, speed, and production in the SEC led many to believe he could be a game-changer for a franchise in transition.
In his rookie season, Burks flashed potential, racking up 444 receiving yards in 11 games. But that momentum faltered as injuries mounted, and consistency remained elusive.
Burks’ journey was already complicated by health concerns. He battled turf toe as a rookie, missed games with a concussion, and suffered a torn ACL that sidelined him for most of the 2023 season. By the time he returned to training camp this summer, his place in the Titans’ plans was precarious.
The fractured collarbone—sustained while trying to make a one-handed catch—was the final blow. As is customary, Burks was waived/injured, meaning he will revert to the Titans’ injured reserve list if unclaimed by another team.
In that case, he and the Titans could reach an injury settlement, allowing him to seek opportunities elsewhere once healthy.
Reaction to the move was swift and, in some corners, sympathetic.
“It’s tough to see a young guy with so much promise go through this,” Titans veteran receiver Tyler Lockett told local reporters. “He worked hard every day. The injuries just kept piling up.”
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said, “Sometimes, a fresh start is what a player needs. Burks still has tools that teams covet. It’s just a matter of getting healthy and finding the right fit.”
The Titans, meanwhile, are forging ahead. With Ridley and Lockett leading the receiving corps, and prospects like Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike vying for snaps, the team’s focus has shifted to building chemistry for a new-look offense.
As for Burks, his future in the NFL remains uncertain. Players waived/injured rarely generate immediate interest unless their injury is minor, but Burks is young enough to attract attention once healthy.
His skill set, a blend of size, catch radius, and run-after-catch ability—could entice a team willing to wait out his recovery.
“Burks has shown flashes,” said ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “He’ll get another shot if he can show he’s healthy.”
The saga of Burks is a reminder of the unforgiving nature of professional football, where talent alone doesn’t guarantee longevity.
Burks, for his part, will have to wait and heal. Whether his NFL story continues in Tennessee or elsewhere, he’ll need both time and luck to fulfill the promise that made him a first-round pick just three years ago.
“I want to thank the Titans organization and the fans for believing in me,” Burks said in a statement released by his agent. “I’ll be back. It’s just a matter of when.”
Pig Trail Nation’s Mike Irwin on Razorbacks’ run game starting fall practice
With drills starting Thursday, talking about keys for Hogs’ offense to reach next level with former quarterback Matt Jones.
