Arkansas coach Sam Pittman addresses the status of star RB Raheim Sanders
Raheim Sanders of Arkansas was one of the country’s most productive running backs in 2022, when he rushed for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns on 6.5 yards a carry.
But this season hasn’t gone the way Sanders — or the Razorbacks — planned.
He has played in only three games and has a grand total of 91 rushing yards on 34 carries. The reason? He has been limited most of the fall due to a knee injury. In fact, Sanders last played Oct. 7.
This week, he returned to practice and there is optimism in Razorback country he might play Saturday at Florida. In fact …
“There’s a chance that he’ll be available,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said Wednesday on the SEC teleconference call. “He has practiced, Monday and Tuesday. Limited basis, but he has practiced. So we’re hoping that he’ll be available on Saturday.”
An addition of Sanders, a native of Rockledge (Fla.)., could possibly inject some life into an Arkansas offense that ranks 120th out of 130 teams at 305.9 yards per game. In fact, the offense has been so dismal Pittman fired offensive coordinator Dan Enos last week after the Razorbacks lost to Mississippi State 7-3 on Oct. 21
But the truth is, the Razorbacks offense wasn’t great even when Sanders has been available.
Arkansas had mixed results when Raheim Sanders played this year
-Arkansas beat Western Carolina 56-13 on Sept. 2. Sanders had 42 yards and two scores on 15 carries as the Razorbacks amassed 379 yards against the FCS opponent.
-Sanders played again Sept. 30 in a 34-22 loss to Texas A&M. He had 11 carries for 34 yards and two receptions for 36 yards. But overall, the Razorbacks were limited to 174 yards and 10 first downs.
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-In Sanders’ most recent outing, Arkansas lost to Ole Miss 27-20. He rushed for 15 yards on 8 attempts and had three catches for 26 yards. Even though the game was close, the Razorbacks were held under 300 yards.
With Sanders and Arkansas, there are several unknowns here including the following: 1. How healthy was Sanders in the games in which he played? 2. If he wasn’t at 100 percent, how much of a difference would it have made if he was? 3. If he does play this weekend vs. Florida, how healthy — and effective — can he be?
Time will tell.
With Enos out, Pittman has given the offensive coordinator duties to receivers coach Kenny Guiton on an interim basis.
“I think there’s a little different feel in the building,” Pittman told reporters Monday. “I think everybody has taken to Coach Guiton. I think everybody is excited for him.”
Later in the week, Pittman added, ““Any time you are in a situation that we’re in, you either give up or you try to figure out how to get out of it. So, I think there’s a lot of reflection on what we’ve done right, what we’ve done wrong, how to correct it, how to get better, those things of that nature.”
