Hogs finally set to play in Razorback Stadium

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas and UAB will meet on Saturday in Razorback Stadium with both teams entering with a 1-1 record.

Arkansas lost to No. 16 Oklahoma State 38-31 in double overtime this past Saturday in Stillwater. That came after a 70-0 win in Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium on Aug. 29. UAB fell to Louisiana-Monroe 32-6 this past Saturday. On Aug. 29, UAB downed Alcorn State 41-3. Sam Pittman is looking forward to the game.

“UAB, we’re excited to get home first of all,” Pittman said. We’re excited to play in our stadium here. Looking forward to seeing all of our fans. UAB defensively is a quarters coverage team, a lot of single blitzes, four down line. They have good linebackers. Michael Moore will be the one, him and (Everett) Roussaw. They’ve got a really good corner in (Colby) Dempsey. They have a couple of transfer D-tackles who have really good size on them defensively. Not complicated defensively. Like I said a lot of single blitzes, whether it be a corner or whether it be from the safety. They play extremely hard. Well coached.

“Offensively, (Alex) Mortensen, a guy who I think he played here if I’m correct is their offensive coordinator. He does a really good job. They do a lot. They go from empty to 13 to kind of a reverse bone look in the backfield. They want to run the football I believe. They’ve got some transfers on the offensive line and have some returning starters, their center and left guard. The quarterback’s a good player, a transfer guy from Baylor. They like to throw it. He’s a pocket guy. And then they’ve got a really good wideout in Amare Thomas, No. 1, and then No. 8 (Kam Shanks) is their slot and he’s also a really good punt returner. He returned one for a touchdown this year, the first game. Their punter actually is Patrick Foley who was here as a Hog for two years. We know he’s outstanding three. Coach (Trent) Dilfer does a wonderful job and we’re excited to play them.”

After lighting up the scoreboard against Alcorn State in the opener, ULM prevented UAB from getting into any rhythm on offense.

“Well, I think if you look at it, the first game, Alcorn, they were what I thought they were going to be from last year,” Pittman said. “Three and four wides. Bunches. Jet sweeps. And then going against Monroe, they were more of a power running team. Big sets. Tight ends. Multiple tight ends. And then, after that didn’t seem to work as good, they went back to their dink-and-dunk, and screens and bubbles. I felt like, watching the game, it was almost two separate types of offenses. One from the first game, and one from the second game.”

The Razorbacks and UAB have only met once on the gridiron. Arkansas defeated the Blazers 45-17 on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. Pittman was the offensive line coach for Bret Bielema at that time.

“Man, I’m so excited about the football team,” Pittman said. “I just am. Excited, both sides, I mean the guys are coaching them so well. Yes, it feels a little bit like the UAB. Tretola. That was the old (Sebastain) Tretola touchdown, and they did a little video of him, you know, for the Heisman. I thought it was really cool, but of course I was the O-line coach. 

“Yeah, it feels a little that way. I don’t think anybody that watched the game thinks that we don’t have a good football team. We made some mistakes, and we’ve got to hold on to the football. You can’t go into someone else’s house and go 3-1, or 3-0 and miss the field goals and walk out of there winning. But we understand that. We’re going to flush that after the tape today and head towards UAB. But yes, I feel as good about this team as I have any. We’ll see what comes in weeks to come. Yeah, to answer your question. Yes.”

Pittman also confirmed what was reported Friday that wide receiver Jaedon Wilson has left the team. He also announced another wide receiver is suspended this week.

“Just a couple of things,” Pittman said. “Jaedon Wilson has left the team. He’s going to enter the portal. He’s a graduate here and I’m proud that he’s graduated from here. If you’re a graduate you can enter the portal Oct. 1. So that’s what he’s going to do there. Dazmin James, I’m suspending this week for a violation of team rules. He’ll be back next week but he’s suspended for this week. So I just wanted to open up there with that.”

Arkansas and UAB will kickoff at 3:15 on Saturday and televised on the SEC Network.