Sam Pittman reveals what Rocket Sanders mean to him, this Arkansas team

Arkansas‘ 38-27 win over Missouri State was probably a little bit closer than the Razorbacks wanted it to be, as they were down three points at halftime. Running back Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders had a fumble on the Missouri State one-yard line in the first quarter but bounced back quickly having an amazing game for the Razorbacks. Sanders said his performance didn’t make up for the costly turnover on the goal line, and head coach Sam Pittman spoke about his traits and character as a person and as a player.

“The thing about Rocket is, and it’s true, he’s the first guy, he’s early to study table. All his teachers, we’ve had a few academic staff captains, if he’s in a class they love him. That’s how he is, things bother him, he’s a perfectionist, that’s probably what makes him good,” Pittman said.

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Sanders may have been hard on himself after the game for his costly turnover, but he played like he had a short memory during the game. Sanders ended the game as the Razorback’s leading rusher with 22 carries for 167 yards and a touchdown, but his day didn’t stop there.

He also had 2 catches for 75 receiving yards and a touchdown, predominantly from a 73-yard toucdown scamper on a shovel pass from quarterback KJ Jefferson in the fourth quarter to bring Arkansas within three points.

Sanders put on a show for the Razorbacks, as Pittman applauded him again for his intangibles and short memory during the game.

“He’s very talented, but his ‘want to’ is higher than his talent if that makes sense,” Pittman said. “Just a really really fine kid and he takes things personal, I’m glad it didn’t take him too long, I mean we fumbled a ball then came back and continued to have a really good game. He had a good game before that and then had a really good game after that as well.”

Sanders’ teammates and coaches have had nothing but great things to say about him this offseason regarding his play and his leadership. He’s playing some of his best football and it’s coming at a perfect time, as the Razorbacks are entering one of their hardest stretches of their schedule this year, as they take on Texas A&M on the road next, followed by a home game versus Nick Saban Alabama squad the following week.