Arkansas coach Sam Pittman told his team they would face adversity but he wasn’t counting on having to face an entire half of it.
Brown, Catalon after defense making big plays, carrying offense early
After the Hogs’ 38-17 win over Rice in the season opener, Montaric Brown and Jalen Catalon talked with the media.
Wagner, Jefferson on offense getting things moving in second half
After struggling early, Dalton Wagner and KJ Jefferson talked about the offense’s 31 straight points in win.
GAMEDAY: Hogs pull away late for 38-17 win to kick off season
After the turbulent 2020 football season, it’s time for real football with Arkansas and Rice kicking off a new year at Razorback Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and will only be available on ESPN+ but you can listen to the game here at HitThatLine.com (use the black bar at the bottom of the page) or at ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 99.5 and 95.3 in Northwest Arkansas, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
Pregame
Wide receiver Treylon Burks, who has missed the last couple of weeks for some reason nobody wants to talk about, was participating in the warmups. He also started the game.
Rice won the opening coin toss and LaDarrius Bishop returned to the ball to the 30 before being stripped and teammates fell on it.
First quarter
After a slow start, Arkansas’ offense got in gear on the second possession and KJ Jefferson did what fans were hoping making plays with his legs.
First, he made a dive to the sticks on third down to keep a drive alive, then scrambled 34 yards untouched up the middle of the field to put the Razorbacks on the board first.
Drive: 80 yards, 8 plays, 2:32. Hogs 7, Rice 0
Second quarter
Rice controlled pretty much the entire frame, blocking a Hogs’ punt to set up a 34-yard field goal by Collin Riccitelli, then Jordan Myers got in from a yard out with 4:19 left in before halftime to cap an eight-play, 41-yard drive and grab a 10-7 lead. Rice 10, Hogs 7
Third quarter
The Owls caught the Hogs’ secondary not paying close attention and Wiley Green found August Pitre wide open for a 41-yard scoring pass. To say wide open might be an understatement because no one else was in the same zip code. Rice 17, Hogs 7
Arkansas answers with a six-play, 57-yard scoring drive using 2:10 of the clock as KJ Jefferson looked as sharp as anyone on his throws and decision-making. Jefferson got his second score of the game on a run up the middle from 5 yards out. Rice 17, Hogs 14
The Hogs finally back even with the Owls after an 11-play, 65-yard drive where Rocket Sanders did a lot of the work and started showing off the talent we heard about all through fall camp. Freshman Cam Little kicked a 34-yard field goal with 18 seconds left to tie the game. Hogs 17, Rice 17
Fourth quarter
Rice finally made a mistake when Green threw a pass that was tipped and picked off by Jalen Catalon who ran 39 yards to the Owls’ 9. After a pass interference penalty gave the Hogs a first down at the 2, Trelon Smith ran in for the easy score and Arkansas took the lead for the first time in the second half with 12:44 to go in the game. Hogs 24, Rice 17
The Hogs added a pair of late touchdowns for the final margin
Fantasy Football Sunday S2E1 — w/ Jake Ciely of The Athletic
Tye & Evan on their offseason, crucial injuries, rookie QB’s, what to watch for and more!
ANDY’S PICKS: Only news in this one will be IF game is close
(EDITOR’S NOTE: As this column progresses throughout the football season, there will be wailing and online tears shed as the gap between myself and Peter Morgan grows weekly. Just relax. Nobody is being harmed physically.)
With football season FINALLY getting under way after what has seemed an eternity, it’s time for the annual picking of the games between Peter Morgan and myself.
The way this usually goes is I build a substantial lead by the halfway point of the season, then Peter starts picking like I do to avoid falling farther behind, then realizes it’s a lost cause and starts picking things like Vandy to upset Alabama … making it worse.
For Arkansas fans, hope springs eternal starting the season every year, but especially this year. Yes, somehow three wins (or 30% of their games) in the SEC is supposed to provide a springboard this year.
Sorry, but it’s got to be better than that to get to a bowl game and this team may come close, but I honestly don’t think they will get there in November when they’ll likely have to win a game over LSU or Alabama for that magical sixth win.
First up, though, is Rice. The only way this game makes news is if the Hogs aren’t up by 20 points at halftime.
Yes, the talent differential is that great. It will be a chance for Sam Pittman to just run the ball down somebody’s throat they can push around and if he can keep Kendal Briles patient, this one should be over by halftime.
Hogs 48, Rice 7
In other games, Peter and I would have both taken Tennessee over Bowling Green on Thursday night. And Bowling Green is a better team than the Owls.
Bowling Green at Tennessee: Josh Heupel opens his tenure in Knoxville with a big win. Tennessee 38, Bowling Green 6.
Louisiana-Monroe at Kentucky (-31): Kentucky may be on the edge of contending in the East on a regular basis and should walking through this one fairly easily. Kentucky 42, La.-Monroe 10.
(1) Alabama (-19.5) at (14) Miami: If this one is still close at halftime, everybody is going to be laughing along with Peter. The Crimson Tide have re-loaded what may be their best defense in a decade. Alabama 51, Miami 10.
Louisiana Tech at Mississippi State (-23): Mike Leach got rid of the malcontents last year and it hurt the record in a year where new coaches pretty much got a pass. State is simply better than Tech and roll big. State 54, Tech 17.
Central Michigan at Missouri (-14): This is just an example of SEC schools making up for having such a tough year last season playing all conference teams. Don’t be shocked if this is close for a bit. Missouri 24, Central Michigan 10.
Akron at Auburn (-37): Bryan Harsin will want to make a statement here and there’s not a whole lot Akron can do to stop The Tigers from doing what they want. Auburn 63, Akron 12.
Eastern Illinois at South Carolina: Oh good grief. Another where if the home team is not ahead by three touchdowns at halftime, everybody may start squirming in their seats. South Carolina 54, Eastern Illinois 7.
(5) Georgia at (3) Clemson (-3): This is like a playoff game to kick things off and you wonder which team is going to be ready … or if both are. If the latter is the case, this could be a great game. If not, well, the Tigers may run away with it. But I think it’s going to be closer. Georgia 27, Clemson 21.
FAU at (13) Florida (-23.5): The Swamp gets back to rocking a little as Dan Mullen gets a team in town he can kick around pretty good … and probably will. Florida 45, FAU 7.
Kent State at (6) Texas A&M (-29): The first step after getting a contract extension and raise is make everybody feel pretty good about it by kicking around some team you shouldn’t be playing anyway. Texas A&M 54, Kent State 6.
ETSU at Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt better get a double-digit win in this one or they’ve got a problem down there bigger than anybody else in the league. Vanderbilt 38, ETSU 10.
(16) LSU (-2.5) at UCLA: This may be more of a home crowd for LSU than the Bruins, based on the small, intimate gathering at the Rose Bowl last week for UCLA’s opener. The Tigers’ faithful will be ready to rock … if they can find the place. LSU 31, UCLA 21.
Louisville at Ole Miss (-10): The Rebels like the exposure these Labor Day night games bring and the Cardinals have gone downhill quickly in the last few years. Ole Miss 45, Louisville 35.
Torres going with Georgia to upset Clemson, win national championship
Aaron Torres said on Halftime on Friday he’s sticking with Kirby Smart to pick up his first title this season.
PETER’S PICKS: Off-season is done, Hogs should win over Rice
Has it really been an entire off-season?
It seems like yesterday we were discussing how Sam Pittman was turning the program back into the right direction, why Auburn’s victory over us will always have an asterisk, and how you can love a woman to the moon and back but you still have to treat her like a queen.
Wait, my apologies, that last part was a private conversation privy to only me and my recently single neighbor.
Regardless, the time for 2021 Razorbacks Football is now here. Arkansas hosts the Rice Owls for opening day, and the anticipation cannot be more, well, honestly, indecisive.
The Razorbacks on paper (and via social media hype videos) look even more improved than they did in Pittman’s inaugural season. Young talent is rising, veterans are better developed, and there seems to be a belief in the structure of the program not only from the players but the coaching staff as well.
Ease back on the throttle there, Turbo. There are, or course, areas of concerns, at least in the minds of the casual viewer.
Right out of the gate one ponders about Mike Woods leaving for OU and if anything behind the scenes may be the root cause. The young man states he simply wants to put up big numbers under a Lincoln Riley offense. Nothing more, nothing less. I believe him. Best wishes.
The quarterback position graduated a fantastic arm with Feleipe Franks leaving for the NFL to having just earned a spot on the 53-man roster for the Atlanta Falcons. That leaves KJ Jefferson and Malik Hornsby to fill the huge void.
Jefferson has two starts under his belt and played better than average last year against Missouri by throwing up a lower completion percentage (18 of 33 for 54.5%) yet still racking up a decent 274 yards in the air, three passing touchdowns, and 32 yards rushing including one score.
Playing against the Owls this weekend looks to be the perfect initiation game as a confidence builder for KJ as the full-time starter.
And, as a bit of fun banter, there is talk of a package put into place to utilize the talents of Hornsby, so early speculation is we will see a trial run versus Rice on Saturday. An additional dynamic such as this will open even more of the playbook for Kendal Briles, thus creating additional opportunities for success.
The coaching staff saw some changes, and, for many, that can create anxiety and doubt upon the consistency we were seeing in the 2020 season.
My thoughts are Pittman hires well and he promotes even better. I have no worries on the coaching staff, especially given we know offers were made for defensive coordinator Barry Odom and rumored interest was made into hiring away Briles. If you are not paying attention, both stayed.
Many positives have also brought sensations to the spot where true football fanatics know they tingle when a program is making great strides.
[Rocket Sanders has entered the chat.]
The running back position is already laden with talent, and adding a player with the physique and capabilities as Rocket (a.k.a. Raheim) is only going to make the life of Trelon Smith easier.
Sanders played primarily wideout at Rockledge high school outside Orlando, Florida, but he also saw significant duty in the backfield. HE. IS. IMPRESSIVE. And, yes, he will be rocking that No. 5.
The work ethic has grown even more inspiring than during Pittman’s freshman campaign. Have you seen the aforementioned social media hype videos?
I’d link them here, but I get paid by the word you read, and currently I am only at less than or equal to one-third of one cent for the season. Oddly enough, I get paid in Andy’s used Justin Bieber sleeveless t-shirts, so fingers crossed I get to at least above the bottom hem this year.
Why he shops at some place called Starkel’s Surplus I will never know.
Why Arkansas will win:
Without a game under out belts it is truly tough to tell; however, all indications are Arkansas is much improved with talent, coaching, dedication, and (as mentioned) work ethic.
The returning veterans. We do have some great depth coming back at crucial positions. No doubt this will assist in bettering our chances throughout the season and this first game.
Desire. When Pittman and his staff sit in the living room of a recruit, they are not always looking for absolutely the most gifted athlete. They are searching for the player who has talent but also has the “it factor” we hear about every time we open a sports blog written by a guy who thinks “STAR WARS” redefined the way America lives. I digress.
Why Rice will win:
“Pete, you did not talk about Rice at all in your preface.”
You are correct.
I only have so long before 38% of you click on the ad for Big Creek Trading company. So if you are one of my 62-percenters, thank you, and enjoy reading the keen wisdom and knowledge in the next two pieces of opinion and speculation.
Truth is I don’t know much about the Owls. I do give them credit for pushing through last season despite COVID. A number of their games were postponed and never player or simply cancelled. They were able to squeeze in five games finishing with a 2 – 3 record with a marquee 20-0 win over (and at) No. 15 Marshall.
Yes, I had to triple-check my memory on that one, but the Rice Owls who lost to both Middle Tennessee and North Texas upset the then 15th-ranked Thundering Herd in 2020.
Coach Mike Bloomgren is in his fourth year, and his team possesses talented Conway, Arkansas native and redshirt freshman Jovoni Johnson as its starting quarterback who took the reins in the win over Marshall.
One of Johnson’s primary targets will be standout sophomore receiver Jake Bailey. Furthermore, despite injury, Bloomgren has a very disciplined defense returning in 2021.
Final Thoughts:
Rice has a linebacker named DJ Arkansas. Seriously. Word is Barry Odom offered this kid out of Denton, Texas, yet he had no interest. Who knows, but what a fantastic name.
Check out hitthatline.com daily to see the latest updates before, during, and after the game.
I’m loving the passion the new additions to the coaching staff are bringing to this program.
It’s always stated, but we have to establish a strong rushing game to free up KJ Jefferson and the wide receivers, especially with an alleged injury hampering and possibly even sidelining Treylon Burks.
I hope the Hogs put more effort into the game Saturday than I did this week’s piece.
Rice will put up a fight, but Arkansas is on the way back to greater things.
Razorbacks, 34 – 17.
Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 1 p.m. on HitThatLine.com and on the air at ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 99.5 in Fayetteville, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
SEC Picks for Week 1
Andy squeaked by last season. I sense his anxiety as the student has now become the master.
Bowling Green at Tennessee: I missed the deadline on this one, but Hodges knows I would have taken Vols by 20.
UL Monroe at Kentucky: This one will still be close midway through the third. Wildcats by 17.
Rice at Arkansas: See above. Arkansas is stronger, better, and hungrier. Hogs by 17.
(1) Alabama at (14) Miami: Months ago my good friend Hermon (who claims to be an Ohio State fan) asked if this game would show how weak and overrated the SEC really is.I am still laughing. Tide by 30.
Louisiana Tech at Mississippi State: This one also may be close than some predict? Nope. Bulldogs (the ones from MSU) by a lazy 22.
Central Michigan at Missouri: Why am I almost rooting against an SEC team versus a cupcake here? Tigers by 30.
Akron at Auburn: Even the refs will not need to assist in this no-contest. Tigers by 37.
Eastern Illinois at South Carolina: USC seems like they are pumped to make a run this season. I am probably wrong. This week though, they will prevail. Gamecocks by 24.
(5) Georgia at (3) Clemson – GAME OF THE WEEK: My one concern for the SEC this week falls under my “Game of the Week” selection. Kirby Smart is saying all the right things, yet his tone is … Well, he doesn’t sound as smarmy and confident in this Week 1 match-up in comparison to the visor donning persona to which we have become accustomed. I may be reading too much into it, yet my deduction is telling me Tigers by 3.
FAU at (13) Florida: No worries on this one. Gators by 28.
Kent State at Texas A&M: Jimbo says “show me the money” to the boosters. A&M will have a great season. Aggies by 40.
ETSU at Vanderbilt: Outside of the ranked vs ranked match-ups and Rice at Arkansas, this game has the most promise of being a tightly contested game. Commodores start 1 – 0 in ’21. Vandy by 10.
(16) LSU at UCLA: Those waiting on cards will have at least another week to enter Death Valley. The Bruins will take shot after shot yet come up short against LSU. Pfizers … I mean, Tigers by 18.
Louisville at Ole Miss: This game also has promise. Something tells me the Rebels will run away with it until they call off the dogs. Ole Miss by 34.
That’s it. The chase for the Hit That Line Cup begins anew. It has a new home after this year, AH, but you had still better bring your A-game.
Oh, and Ladies, if you’re looking for a football snuggle buddy, I know the perfect guy next door.
Find me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS
Go HOGS!!!
HALFTIME POD PRESENTED BY EASTSIDE LIQUOR: TORRES
Razorback Football is Finally Here! Weekend Picks; Punishments Chosen; Dumas of the Week and much more!
Guest- Aaron Torres
Don’t be surprised if Burks is ready to go against Rice on Saturday
Game time is here after Arkansas has spent half the month of August avoiding why Treylon Burks wasn’t seen at practice, but that may end soon.
Based on what I’ve heard from multiple sources in the last 48 hours, Burks, a junior from Warren, Ark., will be playing Saturday. No one has said that will be less than 100%.
Sam Pittman hasn’t flatly stated Burks is even not being at the limited media viewing of practices because of a specific injury. Pittman is good at saying some things that don’t really say much and on this he’s been cloudy.
Nobody knows what the injury has been … or even if it is an injury. Since Pittman is so paranoid about speculating on injuries, we’re not going there since we haven’t been given anything approaching an official report.
Burks was listed as the starter on the first depth chart released Monday and nothing has changed publicly since then.
Pittman, meanwhile, has just kept saying Burks is “day to day,” which tells nobody anything. He doesn’t have to tell anybody what the deal is.
There will be some story after Saturday, though, and maybe Burks had a strain or they just wanted to be careful.
With such tight restrictions on what the media can see during practices we have no real idea if Burks missed complete practices or just the first few periods.
Exactly what is gained from doing that is beyond me because the guess is Rice has been preparing for the Hogs best receiver to be on the field Saturday.
Kickoff for the game is 1 p.m. but we’ll know about a couple of hours before when they come out to loosen up.
Don’t be surprised if Burks is out there in full pads ready to go full tilt.
Halftime is LIVE with Phil, Drew & Matty T!
