Butch Jones shares Arkansas State’s excitement to face Arkansas in Little Rock
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Butch Jones sees the Arkansas-Arkansas State game as significant for his program and fans in the Natural State.
Jones talked about the Sept. 6 matchup in Little Rock during Sun Belt Media Days on Tuesday.
“To be able to go play in our state capitol against the University of Arkansas, and you look at the excitement, you look at the revenue that it’s going to bring, the entire state comes to one place for a weekend,” Jones said. “Is it going to be a great challenge for us? Absolutely, it’s going to be a great challenge for us, but I think it’s a great opportunity for us, and it’s truly a great opportunity for the entire state of Arkansas.”
The game also came up at SEC Media Days. Arkansas coach Sam Pittman praised Jones and said, “I believe that we should have that rivalry,” but shot down a potential home-and-home.
I want to play them in Fayetteville. That’s what I want to do,” Pittman said. “You asked me what I want. If we’re going to play Arkansas State, I want to play ’em at home. Right now, under contract, we’re in our last year at Little Rock. Whatever the Governor decides, that’s what she decides. But right now we’re in our last year at Little Rock. It would have to either be there or here. I’m not real interested in going over there and playing.
The last time Jones coached against the Razorbacks was in 2015, his third season at Tennessee. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 24-20 in Knoxville.
A-State coach, Butch Jones, at Sun Belt media days on playing Arkansas this season. pic.twitter.com/Cf2vDUQTsv
— Steve Sullivan (@sully7777) July 22, 2025
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
