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Sam Pittman discusses Arkansas’ 1st 8-win season since 2015: ‘It means something to those kids’
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
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
https://twitter.com/DRStew32/status/1464390285744652297
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
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
