Razorbacks’ kickoff times for first three games set

The game times for Arkansas’ first three games of the 2021 season are set and none of them will have an early-morning kickoff that bothers only some media folks.

Fans seem to prefer later starters for more tailgating time which should be back in full force for this season after missing last year with covid restrictions.

It is expected Razorback Stadium will be at full capacity for this season.

The Razorbacks will kick off Sam Pittman’s second season Sept. 4 against Rice at 1 p.m. on ESPN+-SEC Network+.

All games will be aired on HitThatLine.com and ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs, 99.5 in Northwest Arkansas and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.

The Hogs and Owls will meet for the first time since 1991, Arkansas’ last year in the Southwest Conference. The Razorbacks are 35-29-3 all time against Rice dating back to 1919.

Arkansas hosts Georgia Southern in the third game of the season at 3 p.m. on SEC Network. The meeting between the Hogs and Eagles will be the first on the gridiron.

The Razorbacks’ game vs. Texas on Sept. 11 was previously announced for a 6 p.m. kickoff on ESPN.

As part of the SEC’s new media rights agreement, a number of non-conference games will be aired only on ESPN+, which is digital only.

The home team will determine the start time that doesn’t compete with exclusive air times by some networks.

This year, those contests will also air on the SEC Network+ digital platform. Both streams are accessible in the ESPN app via connected devices.

Nine such contests will air the opening three weeks of the 2021 season, with additional games to be added throughout the season via the normal in-season selection process.