Despite narrow loss, Sam Pittman strikes optimistic tone about Razorbacks, what's ahead
Arkansas appeared to have a chance at an upset over LSU, but the Tigers scored late to pull out a 27-24 decision in the Battle for the Golden Boot.
Still, QB Feleipe Franks had a solid game and went 17-for-26 passing for 339 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also added 43 rushing yards and a score.
Arkansas was 0-for-10 on third down conversions, and LSU held the time of possession edge, 41:43 to 18:17.
The Razorbacks have remaining games against Missouri and Alabama.
Here’s what coach Sam Pittman shared with the media after the game:
Pittman: We are all disappointed. It hurt. [Told team] we have two games left. Not a lot you need to say when you go in there and you know it affects them. We can’t party. Can’t get COVID. “I did tell them I’m proud of them because I damn sure am.”
— Kyle Deckelbaum (@KATVKyle) November 21, 2020
Sam Pittman: I thought [Catalon] tried to avoid the hit and contact. I can see what they saw as well. Certainly it looked to me like he was trying to avoid the receiver’s helmet.
— Kyle Deckelbaum (@KATVKyle) November 21, 2020
Pittman: 4th and 3, 45 yard field goal down 3, what if we had went for it and didn’t make it? To me, there wasn’t a question what you do. (…) I have confidence in Reed and thought we could protect it.
— Kyle Deckelbaum (@KATVKyle) November 21, 2020
“Marshall is wonderful, he plays his tail off, he’s a fighter. He didn’t say a word (about missing guys), he said hey lets go coach. There wasn’t one bit of negativity. We had the numbers to play and that’s the spirit of the game. Nobody said a word about it.” – Pittman
— Nikki Chavanelle (@NikkiChavanelle) November 21, 2020
You guys are just snake bit. And if you havent figured out yet that you are Greg Spankey’s whipping boys then you are sleeping. The silence you hear are the phones hanging up on calls for Odom. Spankey will once again laugh it off in his office while he hands out compliments to SEC officiating crews.
It’s been like that since we joined the league. Mom and dad wanted more children but they’re still adopted and not loved as much as the original kids. The fact that the league is so obvious with the snubs makes it so much worse.
Odom screwed up giving the LSU QB all the time in the world to pick up a receiver. He was dropping everyone back and LSU was still completing passes.
Part of that was defensive fatigue too. There was no rush all day along the D-line due to inexperienced players filling in for those out in quarantine. Not to mention, the offense didn’t give the Defense much help for most of the game. 3rd down conversions we atrocious. Odom isn’t to blame for that…that’s Briles…after all it is a team sport.
That third down conversion flop was really telling. Sometimes time of possession isnt a great deal, but when it was as lopsided as this game its surprising Arky was as close as they were. Shut down one last drive and its a win. Just too gassed I guess.
QBs if they are any good are going to take the short underneath passes all day long and control the clock. I dont know why this isnt being talked about.
You guys are in SEC because of talent… I want Arkansas back to the days prior to 2012// in 2011 your team was 3rd in nation.. this yr if the refs weren’t either tripping over their seeing eye dogs or clearly bias to the other teams. I believe He has done a hell of a job.. Ive been impressed by the QB play guess Fla didnt know QBs like he thinks.. but recap we have a fumble that wasnt a fumble AU // a finger that didnt touch ball Ole Miss // 3 holds that werent holds Ga // targeting that wasnt LSU // Im pro Bama but since I played as a boy I know the heart and soul all you put in this, but when a play is called wrong on the field it should be corrected more so when there is a player is at stake // I want this game fair even if it hurts my team if we dont have this why should any of these men put there heart into the game // maybe we should make a peace offering with Refs Ill send them a coupon to Lenscrafters you guys get their dogs some kibble & bits…Seriously great job coach Pittman, praying they let your boys play go SEC
The Missouri/Arkansas game could look just like this one if the Hogs cant convert on third down. Cant give the other team the equivalent of three quarters of possession and get only the one. Again, surprised it was only a 3 point loss with the aid of yet another blown call.
I would say Odom’s defense worked pretty good. How many points did LSU score on offense? One was basically a pick six. If anyone is trying to find blame it falls on the offense lack of ability to stay on the field. I guess Odom could have blitzed and let LSU score quickly so the players would not be on the field so long.