Sam Pittman recalls viral jukebox moment from 2020

Arkansas head football coach Sam Pittman had a trademark moment for Razorback football on October 3rd, 2020. Their team defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 21-14 in Starkville, Mississippi. The win not only marked the point of restoring the Arkansas football program back to respectability, but following the game, there was a viral moment between Pittman and his players in the locker room. Pittman yelled, “turn that damn jukebox on” and the players went wild.

The moment was played by ESPN’s College GameDay and several media outlets across the country. In his recent press conference, the Hogs headman talked about the viral jukebox moment from 2020 and if he thought it would become so popular.

“Well, certainly no, because I never remember saying it. It was one of [those] box music things over by a pole. You know, everybody’s away locker room’s not very good. And it was just sitting there and at the end. It was a boombox, I think. And I just said, ‘Hey, turn that jukebox on.’ And I never thought another word of it. And next thing I know, we’ve got jukeboxes, t-shirts. The kids liked it so every time we won, we did that with a lot more spice to it, you know. But no, I never did [think it was gonna become so popular]. I learned a lot about Arkansas right there that day. That people are listening to what you say. So, I learned a little bit that day,” Pittman said.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

The moment has become so popular amongst the Arkansas fan base that every time the head coach sets foot on the field before a game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium, they play “Juke Box Hero”.

Unfortunately, Razorback fans might not be in the greatest of moods heading into this weekend’s game, as they anxiously await the status of their star quarterback, K.J. Jefferson. He is currently listed as questionable for Saturday’s game against Mississippi State. That’s not good news, especially when you’re facing one of the top quarterbacks in college football, Bulldogs’ signal-caller Will Rogers.

Sam Pittman discusses the status of KJ Jefferson

“You have to participate in practice on Wednesday in order to travel to the game, so that we’ll check that box. I can tell you he’s going to be on a plane,” Pittman said. “Assuming [I don’t hear] that he doesn’t practice at all. If he practices at all, he’ll be able to play. … I have no idea because I don’t know how well because I don’t know how he’s going to react to physical movement.

“If he reacts really well, then we’ll have a decision to make on what we’re going to do moving forward, depending on how much he practices today.”

After leaving the Alabama game for one play midway through the fourth quarter, Jefferson returned briefly and finished out Arkansas’ final scoring drive. But he did not appear in either of the two series following the final field goal make of the game for the Razorbacks, which cut the Crimson Tide lead to 42-26. Instead, reserve quarterback Cade Fortin played.

So far this year Fortin is 4-of-10 passing for 35 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s added one carry for nine yards as well, while Malik Hornsby, who was second on the depth chart ahead of last Saturday’s loss, is also available for Arkansas.

With Jefferson’s availability not yet known, Arkansas will have to ready other options in the event he can’t play. Arkansas is set to travel to No. 23 Mississippi State for a game that will kick off at noon ET on Saturday on the SEC Network.

On3’s Barkley Truax also contributed to this article.