FAYETTEVILLE -- The season is finally here with Arkansas at home on Saturday hosting Alabama A&M in Razorback Stadium.
Sam Pittman is pleased to get an opener in Fayetteville after having opened at Little Rock the past two seasons. Arkansas last opened in Fayetteville in 2022 against Cincinnati.
"Well, it's really nice to have a home opener," Pittman said. "We haven't been here for a while to open the season since 22, I believe, and, and it's really nice to be able to. What looks like a pretty good temperature game as well. And we're certainly hoping that a lot of Hog fans are in the stands, and we have a lot of respect for Alabama A&M and their staff. They've got a really good staff. Coach (Sam) Shade brought in a good staff there. They won their conference over at Miles (College) and obviously, I'm sure that's a big reason, a lot of reasons, but I'm sure that's one of the reasons that he was able to get that A&M job. They've got a lot of new people, brought some kids over from Miles as well. And so, we're doing back and forth watching with Alabama A&M from last year to see the players that we're going to see this year and certainly Miles College from offensive, defensive, special teams standpoint.
"So, excited about getting our team out there and we need to play smart football, penalty free football. Well, we've got to hang on to the football and we have to play to our standard. What our expectations of our team is, and that's going to be a mantra of 'us' all season. We've got a good team, but we have to put a good team out there every Saturday. If any indication came off of Friday, I thought we did a really good job in the mock game Friday, and our special teams were really good and we flew around. So I was proud about what we did Friday night and Starzyk made all his kicks and so we're ready to go and excited to play somebody else other than ourselves and again, have high respect for Alabama A&M."
Pittman was asked if he feels the team has gotten everything accomplished they needed to at this point.
"I do," Pittman said. "I feel like we've done a good job. I've got a good coaching staff and I feel like we've done a good job. We have an older team than what we've had in the past, which is – anytime you get a team that's led by the players, you sure are going to have a big advantage when times get tough out there.
"Yeah, I think we did. There were some things that certainly speed-wise that we saw Friday night, we're fast team, and we wanted to see that. And we're a big team, so we still have some competition. Battles will go on today, tomorrow, and Wednesday to see who actually runs out there with the ones, but for the most part, we're settled there. And if they're an OR on your depth chart, you'll certainly see them play a lot of ball as well."
One recent move that has gotten some publicity is offensive guard Keyshawn Blackstock shifting over to defensive tackle.
"I think it was about six days ago," Pittman said. "We had talked about it a little bit simply because of the depth there at D-line. Now, we’re very, very happy with the young freshmen we have in there. Kevin Oatis comes up, Reginald Vaughn, those guys can play. We’re very, very happy with those guys. But to get a veteran, older guy… And he played it in high school, as well. Keyshawn was the guy I went to first and asked him if he would be interested in it because he wasn’t starting on the offensive line. It wouldn’t effect the offense as much as… At all, actually, for right now. And we needed him to play when David got hurt. He’s done a good job over there. Now, he’s only practiced three times over there, but we have this week to get him ready as well and I think he’ll be ready. He’s wanted to do it. He said, ‘Anything for the team.’ So when I talked to him, he was outstanding in that part. I also think he knew and we know that he has an opportunity to go help us on that D-line."
Saturday's game will be televised on the SEC Network.
