Sam Pittman calls for Arkansas to protect Taylen Green vs. Auburn
Arkansas and Auburn are underway in an important SEC shown on the Plains. Both head coaches will feel like they need a win to move their respective 2024 seasons back in the right direction. Especially Sam Pittman, who could secure a nice road win.
Early on, one of Pittman’s biggest takeaways in the game is their inability to protect quarterback Taylen Green. The interview with ESPN’s Quint Kessenich came with Arkansas on the one-yard line with an opportunity to score the game’s first touchdown. Bigger picture, making sure Green stays clean is the biggest priority.
“We got to score right here, that’s the most critical,” Pittman said to the ESPN broadcast. “But we got to protect him better. He’s done a great job getting outside the pocket and running the football. But we can’t do that all day. We got to protect him better.
“We got to score inside this damn red zone. We did not last time and this is a big play for us coming up, 3rd and 1.”
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Right as Pittman’s interview was wrapping up, Arkansas took the 3rd and 1 snap. A toss-dive play to running back Ja’Quinden Jackson, he punched the ball into the end zone, just as the head coach wanted. A nice 7-0 lead for the Razorbacks early in the second quarter.
But to Pittman’s point about Green needing to be protected, the quarterback is currently the leading rusher. Nine carries already for Green, going for 50 yards. The 3rd and 1 play was set up after a scramble play that saw Green go airborne and spun around — not what any coach wants to see.
Even when not putting up yards himself, Green was able to extend a drive outside the pocket after drawing a roughing the passer penalty. Good for Arkansas — a flag that eventually led to a scoring drive — but another example of the quarterback taking a hit.
Pittman focusing on the offensive line protection is not too surprising considering his background. Arkansas hired him away from Georgia where Pittman was the offensive line coach. The last time was not coaching the offensive line was back in 1999 as Western Michigan‘s assistant head coach.
Auburn’s pass rush is going to make sure they can make Pittman’s head explode, though. Making Green uncomfortable is clearly a part of the Tigers’ game plan and something they are hoping to sustain through four quarters.