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Sam Pittman didn’t have many positives to mention after his team suffered another disappointing loss.
The Arkansas Razorbacks fell to the Ole Miss Rebels by a score of 27-20. In what was the Razorbacks’ 4th-straight loss, Pittman lamented the team’s ineffectiveness in the run game.
The Razorbacks finished the game with just 36 yards on the ground.
Coach Pittman ” the way we are built, we can’t win if we can’t run the football “
— Steve Sullivan (@sully7777) October 8, 2023
“It’s hard to win a game when you can’t run the football. Obviously, we’re trying, but what we’re doing is not working.”
– Head Coach Sam Pittman.
— ESPN Arkansas & HitThatLine.com (@HitThatLineAR) October 8, 2023
Pittman mentioned the run game being a huge part of the Razorback’s identity, and admitted that “what we’re doing is not working.”
When searching for reasons as to why the run game can’t get going, Pittman noted the offensive line’s struggles. Heading into Week 6, the Razorbacks were No. 118 in sacks allowed, averaging over 3 sacks allowed per game. That ranking will only go lower after this latest performance.
“We could not handle the run throughs and the movement. They were too quick for us.”
— Pittman on the offensive line going against the Ole Miss defensive line tonight.
— Jackson Fuller (@jacksonfuller16) October 8, 2023
Finally, the coach knows that the team is putting its QB in a bad spot. KJ Jefferson is getting no help from the running backs or offensive line, forcing the veteran QB to shoulder the entire load of the offense.
Pittman knows the running game has to get figured out to alleviate some of that pressure. The coach also mentioned that the QB “isn’t as calm,” due to the all the pressure he’s faced this season.
“Until we do that (fix the run) we’re putting way too much pressure on our quarterback,” said the coach.
Sam Pittman now speaking with the media. Says Arkansas played through a lot of injuries tonight but that Arkansas has to find a way to run the football.
“Until we do that, we’re putting way too much pressure on our quarterback.”
— Jackson Fuller (@jacksonfuller16) October 8, 2023
Pittman thinks KJ getting hit so much in the pocket has worn him down a little mentally, and the QB isn’t as calm in the pocket this year because of all the pressure he’s facing.
— Jackson Fuller (@jacksonfuller16) October 8, 2023
The Razorbacks will look to regroup and stop the bleeding for another tough matchup next week. The Razorbacks next travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in Week 7.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.