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It has been a tough season, but the Arkansas Razorbacks picked up a much-needed win on Saturday by defeating FIU, 44-20. After starting the year 2-0, the Razorbacks lost 6 in a row, but have won 2 of their last 4 games.
It wasn’t easy early. The Razorbacks were down 13-7 before scoring 24 points in the 2nd quarter to help pull away.
While this season hasn’t quite went like Razorback Nation and coach Sam Pittman would have liked it to, the team has continued to fight the entire way.
Here’s an Arkansas football stock report following Week 12:
Player of the Week: DB Alfahiym Walcott
It was a great performance for senior defensive back Alfahiym Walcott, who had 5 tackles and 2 interceptions against FIU. One of those picks went for a touchdown and gave the Razorbacks a 21-13 lead during the onslaught in the 2nd quarter.
The defense has been up and down this year, but Walcott gave the defense a huge lift on Saturday. The Baylor transfer has been very good all season, as he is 3rd on the team with 55 tackles, and is tied with Dwight McGlothern for the most interceptions on the team with 3.
Freshman/Newcomer of the Week: RB Isaiah Augustave
The rushing attack of the Razorbacks has arguably been the most disappointing thing for this team this year. Arkansas was terrific running the ball last year, but hasn’t been near as effective this year. However, at least on Saturday, Arkansas was terrific running the ball.
The Razorbacks carried the ball 54 times for 323 yards, and were led by the freshman Augustave. He finished with 14 carries for 101 yards. Entering the game against FIU, he has carried the ball only 6 times for 21 yards.
Augustave figures to be a huge part of the Razorbacks future, and he provided the fans and the team some potential greatness.
Biggest surprise: The aforementioned rushing attack
The Razorbacks’ struggles running the ball has played a huge reason why the team is currently 4-7, but the team finally showed some explosiveness and playmaking ability out of the backfield. It wasn’t just Augustave, as KJ Jefferson also rushed the ball 15 times for 90 yards.
Dominique Johnson had 6 carries for 62 yards with a touchdown. The team changed their offensive game-plan entering the season, but you have to imagine they are going to really focus on getting back to running the ball well heading into next year.
Biggest concern: Slow Start could have Hurt the Team
While the Razorbacks eventually got going, they were still down 13-7 after one quarter. While Arkansas was able to bounce back and get rolling, that hasn’t worked in SEC play. Just last week against Auburn, the Razorbacks were down 21-3 after the first quarter.
Against SEC competition, you can’t come back from that deficit quickly, and they ultimately lost to Auburn, 48-10. The team has to be able to get leads early, and then be able to dictate opponents play calls.
Developing trend: Going back to a physical ground game
The off-season plan to becoming a passing team hasn’t worked this year, and the Razorbacks needed to get back to their roots. When they were playing great football last year, Arkansas was running the ball consistently and often. They were setting up the play-action passing game with their ability to run the ball.
This year, they have almost done the complete opposite, as they try to pass to make the ground game get going. Sam Pittman teams are at their absolute best when they are running the ball, and they showed that Saturday. Even in today’s football, you still win the games dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Key Stat: FIU 3-for-13 on 3rd downs
It is a simple recipe, if you are able to get stops on 3rd downs, you are going to be in great shape. FIU was only 3-of-13 on 3rd down conversions, and they were forced to give the ball back to the Razorbacks the entire day.
Arkansas wasn’t that great on 3rd down, as they were able to covert only 6-of-15 3rd downs.
First impression about Week 13
It doesn’t get any easier for the Razorbacks, as Arkansas ends the 2023 season against Missouri next week. The Tigers have been one of the very best teams in the country and are coming off a crazy 33-31 win against Florida.
Brady Cook and Luther Burden III is one of the best QB/WR duos in the country and running back Cody Schrader has been one of the best stories in college football. A win against Missouri would be an incredible end to a difficult season.