Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman Discusses Challenging Auburn Tigers
Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman is looking to turn the tide after a tough loss to Auburn last season. As the Auburn Tigers enter SEC play with a 2-1 record, Pittman acknowledges the challenges ahead.
Auburn’s lone defeat came in a close 39-31 overtime game against No. 16 Oklahoma State. In contrast, Arkansas has started strong, with a commanding 70-0 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff and a recent 37-27 win against UAB.
Pittman recognizes Auburn’s talent, describing them as a formidable opponent. “Auburn has a really good team,” he stated, praising their physical offensive line and standout players like running back Jarquez Hunter. He also noted the impressive performance of their new quarterback, Hank Brown, who threw four touchdowns in a recent game.
Reflecting on last year’s matchup, Pittman acknowledged Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne’s effectiveness, who completed 12-of-20 passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 88 yards and a touchdown.
Despite Auburn’s change in quarterback, Pittman indicated that the game plan remains similar. “With Thorne, it was more of a zone-read, while Brown relies more on RPOs,” he explained. “Last year, Thorne’s ability to run hurt us. Brown poses a different challenge, focusing more on passing.”
Looking back at Arkansas’ 48-10 defeat last season, Pittman noted that defensively, they need to avoid repeating their mistakes. “We have to find a way to stop their run game,” he said.
Arkansas will face Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium this Saturday to kick off SEC play for both teams, with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. Auburn is currently a 3-point favorite in the matchup.
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