Sam Pittman expresses belief in Arkansas despite loss
Sam Pittman is far from done with his team. Following Arkansas‘ 34-22 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday, the Razorbacks head coach revealed his mindset.
“I like the team. I do,” Pittman said. “You guys unfortunately or fortunately, you’re not able to be in the locker room after the game, so you don’t know really what’s in there. I like our kids. I think we still have the team. I think they’re fighting. We’ve got to coach better. In some areas, they have to play better.”
It’s difficult to imagine Arkansas fans are feeling as optimistic as Pittman. The Razorbacks have lost three-straight games, a burden they’ve suffered every year since 2016. Now, Arkansas sits at 2-3 with a grueling SEC schedule ahead of them.
The team’s offensive line hasn’t helped them. Arkansas’ front five has given up 18 sacks this season, tied for the 13th-most in the country. The issue neutralizes perhaps the Razorbacks’ greatest strength: KJ Jefferson.
Despite being under constant pressure, the veteran QB has still managed to tally 1,050 passing yards and 10 touchdowns this season while only throwing four interceptions. Moreover, Jefferson boasts 125 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, as well.
Sam Pittman sees light at the end of the tunnel
Pittman sees hope for his team. He simply can’t allow them to give up on themselves.
“I like the attitude of the team. It hurts them when they lose,” Pittman said. “I didn’t think we didn’t fight today. I thought we whipped. Offensively, especially. I don’t think we didn’t fight. When you lose the fight that’s when you’re done. I don’t feel that way at all, to be honest with you.
“Every time you go out there there’s always a chance you’re not going to win,” Pittman said. “The bottom line is, if you don’t, what do you do? The only way I know how to do it is you got to go back and you’ve got to fight.”
Arkansas’ lack of fight was evident in its loss to Texas A&M. On offense, the Razorbacks recorded just 42 total rushing yards, or 1.1 yards per carry, while also suffering seven sacks. The Aggies rushed for almost five times Arkansas’ yardage (204) while not allowing a single sack.
After perhaps the team’s worst performance of the season, Pittman is back to the drawing board.
“You’ve got to evaluate what’s wrong and try to fix it or throw it out and do something else,” Pittman said. “I like our team and I think they’ll continue to fight.”
Arkansas will need to fight this weekend. On Saturday, the Razorbacks will square off against No. 16 Ole Miss at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.