Sam Pittman feels 'blessed' to be head coach at Arkansas

Just two years into his tenure, Arkansas coach Sam Pittman feels blessed. When he took over the program in 2020, the Razorbacks were in the midst of the worst SEC losing streak in school history.

It was a daunting rebuilding task, but Pitman was up for the challenge. Arkansas defeated Mississippi State by Week 2 to end the conference losing streak at 20 games.

He added another program-defining victory Saturday when Arkansas defeated Texas, 40-21.

“I feel really blessed because I’ve got such a good staff,” Pittman said. “Our players do anything we ask them to do. We love it here in Arkansas. I feel really blessed to be the head coach at Arkansas. We’re going to lose a game eventually and all those things and people are not gonna like me so much. But most of ’em like me right now and I like that.”

The Hogs defense was stifling all game long. They managed to hold the Longhorns scoreless in the first half and bottled up star running back Bijan Robinson.

He finished with a mere 69 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries.

Arkansas did the most of its majority on the ground, where it seemed Texas could do nothing to stop them. The Razorbacks finished with 333 rushing yards and averaged 7.1 yards per carry.

Despite this, there was not a single player who surpassed 100 yards rushing. Trelon Smith led the team with 75 yards on the ground as five players accumulated 40 or more yards.

Quarterback K.J. Jefferson didn’t score any touchdowns, but kept the offense steady in the early going. He also made Texas pay with his legs and finished second on the team with 10 carries for 73 yards.

The Razorbacks turn around to face Georgia Southern at 3 p.m. CST Saturday in Fayetteville. Texas will try to get back in the win column with a game against Rice, whom Arkansas beat 38-17 in Week 1.

The Hogs coach knows this ride won’t last forever. The Razorbacks can’t win every game this season. But right now, Sam Pittman feels blessed to be at Arkansas.