Then and now: Steve Sarkisian discusses differences since 2021 trip to Arkansas
As Texas prepares to face Arkansas on Saturday, head coach Steve Sarkisian revisited their 2021 matchup, a game that demonstrated just how far Texas had to go to compete at a high level. The 40-21 loss was a difficult pill to swallow in real time, but a lot of positives stem from that game.
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“Going back, I always try to revisit some of those games even from years past to get a sense and a feel,” Sarkisian shared. “The frustrating part of that game, more than anything, we didn’t play great. But then you look up and it’s the middle of the third quarter, and it’s 16-7. We were playing hard, we just weren’t playing great.”
Despite trailing by just nine points in the third quarter, Sarkisian noted that his team couldn’t quite generate the plays needed to swing momentum their way. “A couple of explosive plays kicked into play. Unfortunately, we didn’t make some of our own,” he explained. “But the competitiveness of our team—I thought we fought in the game.”
In retrospect, the Arkansas game underscored how much work was needed, particularly in terms of roster depth, physicality, and a deeper understanding of what it would take to succeed in rabid environments like in Fayetteville. Sarkisian saw that game as a wake-up call, a tough reminder that Texas wasn’t yet equipped to compete consistently at that level.
“It was good, not only for myself, but for the staff and for our players to say, okay, that’s an SEC team,” Sarkisian recalled. “At the time, they weren’t at the top of the SEC, so we had a hill to climb to get to where we wanted to get to.”
The loss sparked significant changes. Sarkisian and his staff focused on upgrading the roster, prioritizing depth and physicality to better withstand tough matchups. “Obviously, we wanted to upgrade the best we could—the roster, especially from a depth perspective,” Sarkisian said. “It feels pretty good knowing we’re going in there this year with what we think is a little better roster.”
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That’s putting it kindly. Just a few years later and every single position on the roster has NFL talent.
As Texas heads into this year’s showdown against Arkansas, Sarkisian believes his team is not only physically better prepared, but also mentally better prepared. “It’s a very tough environment,” Sarkisian acknowledged, “but we have a better understanding from a coaching staff perspective of what’s going to be needed in that environment—from an emotional and mental standpoint, but also from a physical standpoint.”
The Texas team stepping onto the field this season is more seasoned, talented and physically and mentally stronger, reflecting the progress Sarkisian has made in building a program that can not only compete with SEC teams but can win the league.
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The lessons from the 2021 Arkansas loss have paid dividends, preparing Texas to face their next big test with a newfound sense of confidence. That game also provides a benchmark for how far Texas, now in control of its own destiny in the SEC, has come in a relatively short time.
