FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas will be in the home of the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday trying to snap a two-game skid that has included close losses to BYU and LSU.
Arkansas (2-2, 0-1) and Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0) meet in a very important SEC game for both teams. Sam Pittman is looking forward to the game.
"Obviously, two years ago we went over there and won when we went down to Dallas," Pittman said. "Last year... when I was here before we lost in overtime. I'm not for sure if we went twice. It was once for sure, but I'm not for sure if it wasn't twice. It's a series where games are going to be close. Obviously, another trophy game and things of that nature. In all honesty, in these close games we've come up disappointed more times than not.
"So, we've got to play with the same amount of passion that we had last week, but with smarter pre-snap penalties basically on both sides of the ball. Other penalties are going to happen. You're going to get a hold, and we had one. You're going to get a hold on defense. We had two. You're coaching and trying to coach that, but the pre-snap penalties. We overcame them offensively besides the short-yardage down on the goal line, but that doesn't make it right. We have to get that out of us. We thought we were prepared and had done a nice job there, but obviously we didn't do a good enough job."
Texas A&M will be without its starting quarterback Conner Weigman who was injured in the 27-10 win over Auburn this past Saturday. He will be replaced by Max Johnson, who has completed 20-of-31 passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns. On Wednesday, Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisther was asked if it's true that Weigman is out for the season?
"Yeah, it is," Johnson said. "As I said in the press conference the other day, we thought everything was fine. He was having some pain, we X-Ray’d and MRI’d it — didn’t show anything. We thought it was a normal sprain. He had some pain, so they got a CT scan and it showed some things in there that they’re going to have to go in and fix and get that done.
"So most likely will be out, but we feel very confident in Max. Max came in and played great. Unfortunately we hate to lose Connor for our football team and for himself, but like I said before, I think we have two starting quarterbacks and we feel very good about that and we’ll have to move on. But that’s just where we’re at."
Johnson has two outstanding targets to throw to in wide receiver's Evan Stewart and Ainias Smith. Stewart has caught 22 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns. Smith has 18 catches for 272 yards. Freshman cornerback Jaylon Braxton knows he will be matched up with those two at times on Saturday.
"Nothing but respect for those guys," Braxton said. "They have a talented group of receivers. We really look forward to going to AT&T Stadium and getting to face them."
Johnson will have former Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino dialing up plays for him. Petrino is now the offensive coordinator for Texas A&M. He was the head coach at Missouri State last season and his team played the Razorbacks. Did that game help prepare the Hogs for this matchup with Petrino's offense?
"It might," Pittman said. "Obviously, we watched it. It might. Certainly, the fourth-down play and things like that we have to put in our mind. Missouri State's quarterback was mobile as well as what Max is. So, we'll see, but yeah we have looked over that to see what some of his tendencies might have been and how they relate to the team he his coaching this year."
Last week, Arkansas lost to LSU 34-31 when Jaylen Daniels and his group of receivers exploded late in the first half and entire second half. Pittman feels Texas A&M has the same type weapons on offense.
"Absolutely," Pittman said. "They obviously have Stewart and Ainias Smith. And I mean, they’re good. So they have guys that can run by you and if they catch it they’re going to be hard to get on the ground. Certainly have a really good quarterback in Max Johnson, who has started a lot of games. He’s started a lot of games in the SEC. So yes, some quite similar situations there because they have really good wideouts and a guy who can get it to them."
Arkansas and Texas A&M were both Southwest Conference members. The Razorbacks still hold the series lead over the Aggies 42-34-3, but Texas A&M has won 10 of the 11 meetings since joining the SEC.
"Well, I would think the rivalry would mean more to us because we’re one of the last 11," Pittman said. "Certainly, I’ve been on some of those overtime losses and things where the game looked like it was ours, just like last year. And not able to win it. But, it’s definitely a rivalry for us, you don’t see many series lopsided at 1-10 like that, but we did go through some rough, rough years as well in there. But, I think if we can get a lead, we’ve got to figure out how to extend the lead and not just try to hold onto it.
"And I think we certainly tried that last year and I thought there at the end of the game we were going to score, but I didn’t know what the time on the clock was going to be. Matter of fact, I was worried about scoring too fast but at that point, we were running the clock and I just wanted to score you know. And then we had an errant snap that killed a lot of that stuff. So, hopefully decision-making and all that stuff will be as good as it possibly can be and we’ll come out on top. But, the rivalry for us has to be more than for them, simply because I don’t know how much you can truly respect an opponent that you’ve beaten 10 out of 11 times."
AJ Green and Rashod Dubinion have filled in for the injured Raheim "Rocket" Sanders. He was injured in the season opener, but has looked good in practice this week. How confident is Pittman that he gets his standout junior back this week?
"Well, I’m as confident as I’ve been since the Western Carolina game," Pittman said. "I would be lying to you if I told you that I’m sure he’s going to play. I feel better about his opportunity to play, but we still have to see how he recovers from yesterday’s limited reps that he participated in and go from there. But this week I thought he was further ahead on Monday than I thought he would be. It didn’t swell up too bad on him yesterday. We’ll give him a little less reps today and then see where he’s at on Thursday. We’re obviously hoping he can play."
Fisher said he was pleased with his team's win over Auburn. He heaped a lot of praise on Arkansas.
"So very proud," Fisher said. "Gonna have to be this week, because Arkansas is one heck of a team. Offensively, very dynamic. Scoring points like crazy. Receivers, big, long athletic, can run, great ball skills. Young tight end can catch. And if they get Sanders back at running back, plus the other backs they have and of course everything starts with KJ (Jefferson). KJ is a tremendous football player. Hard to get on the ground, makes throws, leadership, brings you back. I mean, there’s nothing he doesn’t do on the football field. Tremendous player.
"Defensively, athletic. {Dwight} McGlothern does a great job at secondary with the other guys back there. Linebackers are active, long, can tackle. (Trajan) Jeffcoat and (Landon) Jackson, those guys can rush up front and create problems there. Special teams always do a great job. Kicker and punter are really good. Return guy, he took one back for a touchdown already this year.
"So, all three phases play very well. Sam is a heck of a football coach and does a great job. We’re going to have to play well. It’s a rivalry game out there. It’ll be a split crowd, so very important game. It’s the next game and it’s an SEC game, it’s an SEC West game. So, as I say — double whammy."
Arkansas was penalized 14 times in the loss to BYU and then 11 against LSU. That after only be flagged a combined 11 times in the first two games, both wins. Pittman knows the double-digit penalties can't continue if Arkansas wants to win games in the SEC.
"Well, obviously whatever we did last week to address it didn’t work," Pittman said. "All I know is that you have to have a ball in everything you do on the D-line. You have to move all the time on the O-line and you have to move with noise. Today we are going to do without it just to emphasize speed, getting set, all those types of things. Basically, it's a new day and we’re having some install and we’ve got to talk to them, but throughout the week you just overemphasize movement. Move calls and those things. Like you said try to simulate as much as you possibly can, but obviously, what we didn't work so we are gonna try and do something a little bit different."
The Hogs and Aggies will kickoff at 11 am on the SEC Network. Next week's game against Ole Miss will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. on the SEC Network.
Photos Courtesy of Craven Whitlow CW3 Sports Action
