Missouri’s Drinkwitz sees much-improved Arkansas squad from last season’s 48-14 humbling

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – Missouri head football coach Eli Drinkwitz has had his way with Arkansas three of the last four years, including an embarrassing 48-14 rout last season in their own house.

But the Alma native sees some changes from last season to this one as the Tigers (8-3, 4-3) prepare to host the Razorbacks on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. inside Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo.

The Battle Line Rivalry, which will be televised by the SEC Network, has seen Missouri win the last two meetings and six of the last eight.

“It’s a great rivalry and a really good football team,” Drinkwitz said Tuesday. “ I think (Razorback head) Coach (Sam) Pittman has done a tremendous job at the University of Arkansas. I just saw a stat today where I think he’s the first coach in their history that’s gone to four bowl games in the first five seasons that he’s been there.

“He’s done an excellent job recruiting and reshaping that roster from last year. They’re very talented, went into the transfer portal, got the right pieces, continually makes great hires.”

Pittman had fired Dan Enos as offensive coordinator by the time the two teams met last season in a move coming after a 7-3 home loss to Mississippi State left at the Razorbacks 2-6 in a 4-8 season.

“Obviously, last year they were going through some coordinator stuff and changes within their team,” Drinkwitz said.

Drinkwitz praised Pittman’s hiring of assistants, including current Arkansas offense coordinator Bobby Petrino to replace Enos and retaining defensive coordinator Travis Williams.

“They play fast, they play physical, they play inspired football,” Drinkwitz said of Williams’ defenders. “They beat Tennessee at home, a top-10 team this year. They did an excellent job.

“Then obviously Coach Petrino on the offensive side of the ball. One of the best play callers in college football, one of the best offensive minds in college football. There’s really not a scenario or situation that’s going to be new or unique to him. So, it’s a really, really challenging football game.”

Drinkwitz sees plenty of new weapons that Petrino has to work with this season, several that arrived via the transfer portal and thus did not play in last season’s rout.

“They’ve got a really good quarterback, Taylen Green, running back Ja’Quinden Jackson, the tight end Luke Hasz, the wide receiver Andrew Armstrong,” Drinkwitz said. “I mean, really, really good skill positions, and Coach Petrino uses them in the right way.”

Armstrong is in a 2024 breakout season with 69 catches for 1,012 yards and one TD after the Texas A&M-Commerce transfer hauling in 56 passes for 764 yards and five scores in 2023.

“I think contain is the wrong word,” Drinkwitz said. “I think you’ve got to limit yards after catch. I think he is an explosive route runner. Obviously, he’s got great length and can get over the top. So, you’ve got to do a great job of keeping on top of the routes and then we need to do a good job of tackling.

“They do a really good job of creating yards-after-catch through some of their crossing schemes. So, we’re going to have to do a really good job of tackling.”

Arkansas senior defensive end Landon Jackson (44 sacks, 6.5 sacks, 9 tackles for lost yardage), linebacker Xavian Sorey (team-leading 84 tackles) and veteran defensive back Hudson Clark have caught Drinkwitz’ attention.

“Defensively, Landon Jackson is one of the best defensive ends in our conference,” Drinkwitz said. “I think the linebacker group plays really well downhill. Xavian Sorey is a guy that bounces off the tape at you. In the back end, Hudson Clark, we’ve played him for five-straight seasons. I remember playing him as a true freshman out here during the COVID season.

“…I do think the defensive identity under Coach Pittman has been consistent. Relentless pursuit to the football. They’re playing a little bit more of a three-safety defense the last three games, which is very similar to what they did with Coach [Barry] Odom.

“So, you can tell there’s a program style, complimentary football. Coach Williams does a tremendous job getting those guys playing hard, playing fast. Since I’ve been here coaching, Arkansas has had really, really good linebacker play, and that’s consistent through Coach Williams, who was an elite linebacker himself at Auburn, and so those guys really stand out.

“Their defensive line has continued to improve. They retained some really good players and then added some players, so they’ve got more depth there.”

Photo by John D. James