Sam Pittman evaluates offensive line play in Liberty Bowl win

Arkansas ended the 2024 season on a high note, holding off Texas Tech for a 39-26 win Friday night in the Liberty Bowl. The Razorbacks offense ran up and down the field for most of the night, finishing with 559 total yards.

After the game, Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman was asked how he felt like his offensive line played, particularly with some new pieces up front.

“Well, I mean, we had 559 yards, and I think we had one sack,” Sam Pittman said. “We got beat on the outside. I think the sack was the safety. And really we missed the block in the backfield on that one. But, you know, I would think they played well.”

Arkansas had three new starters on the offensive line after three starters entered the transfer portal at the conclusion of the regular season.

One of the starters who stuck around was E’Marion Harris, who just so happened to get his first real playing time for the Razorbacks in the 2022 Liberty Bowl.

In addition to the offensive line, Arkansas also had some players step up at skill position spots, too.

“E’Marion Harris got his opportunity here two years ago. But I think they played well,” Pittman said. “I think our skill players that we may or may not have known about before tonight, I think they really made some big-time plays.”

Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green also played well in the Liberty Bowl against Texas Tech, throwing for 341 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 81 yards and a score.

“The one Taylen [Green] made on the sideline where he was very, very patient with the guy coming into him. That was big-time. And that’s a man who’s very confident in what’s going on,” Pittman said.

“But I think the offensive line played better. And Brooks [Edmonson] never had a snap problem. So that’s a big-time effort for those guys.”

With the win, Arkansas finishes the season with a 7-6 record. The Razorbacks had a nice bounce back season under Pittman after going 4-8 in 2023.

The play of the offensive line with multiple new starters played a large role in Arkansas getting its seventh win.

Pittman has now led the Razorbacks to at least seven wins in three of the past four seasons. He will be back leading Arkansas in 2025, looking to finish with another winning season.