Sam Pittman discusses Arkansas' 1st 8-win season since 2015: 'It means something to those kids'
Arkansas put a bow on its regular season on Friday, defeating Missouri 34-17 in Fayetteville to win the Battle Line Trophy. The Razorbacks ended a 5-game losing streak to the Tigers in the process.
It was another great performance for KJ Jefferson, who threw for 262 yards on 15-of-19 passing and connected with Treylon Burks for a touchdown. He also added a 49-yard run. For Burks, he broke the 100-yard mark for a program-record 6th time this season and is 1 game short of tying the Arkansas career record for 100-plus yard receiving games.
The Razorbacks now await their bowl opponent as they head to the postseason for the first time since 2016. It’s also their most wins since an 8-5 mark in 2015.
Here’s what head coach Sam Pittman had to say after the victory:
Sam Pittman on the progress on the Arkansas program to this point:
I know it's 8-4, the world may look at 8-4 like it's 8-4 but it's not at Arkansas. We haven't been relevant in a while. It means something to those kids in there and I'm proud of them.
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) November 27, 2021
“He has matured. He throws the long ball very very well. Obviously he’s excited when (Burks) is out there one-on-one.”
– Sam Pittman on the improvement of KJ Jefferson
— Mason Choate (@ChoateMason) November 27, 2021
Sam Pittman said he is going to be back on the recruiting trail this Sunday. He said it’s a lot more fun to recruit when you win.
— Mason Choate (@ChoateMason) November 27, 2021
Pittman: Happy for the way De’Vion played. Nice way to go out as a super senior.
— Jim Harris (@jimharris360) November 27, 2021
Sam Pittman: “They had a nice game plan, but at some point you have to attack that. Coach Briles did a nice job of opening up the game plan. If you are going to stop the run we are going to burn you deep.”
— Pig Trail Nation (@PigTrailNation) November 27, 2021
I was very happy to see him have success today.
-Pittman on Montaric Brown
— Robert Stewart (@DRStew32) November 27, 2021
Sam Pittman on Treylon Burks: “He’s a bad man. He can do almost anything. He can catch the ball, he can run better routes, obviously he can run the option. He’s just a special special person.”
— Pig Trail Nation (@PigTrailNation) November 27, 2021
“We don’t have a guy on our team that had ever earned one of them. And to have those three trophies (and Larry) is big. It’s a great tribute to our kids and coaches.”
Pittman on having all three trophies
— Pig Trail Nation (@PigTrailNation) November 27, 2021
“It just shows that we’ve got good kids that believe in their coaches, that understand effort, physicality and doing the right thing can win you ball games.”
– Pittman on Arkansas’ success this season
— Mason Choate (@ChoateMason) November 27, 2021
“I’ll bet you every super senior that came back is proud that they did.”
– Sam Pittman on the Arkansas super seniors
— Mason Choate (@ChoateMason) November 27, 2021
