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Sam Pittman pleased with Arkansas’ performance in physically demanding, ‘hard-nosed’ first scrimmage
By SDS Staff
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Sam Pittman wanted Arkansas’ first scrimmage of 2020 to be simple and challenging. It was on the practice field instead of in the stadium, by design.
“We had planned to go on the practice field for a reason. That was just we wanted that scrimmage to be a hard-nosed, blue-collar, no rah-rah, we’re on the grass and we’re just going to go hit each other,” Pittman told reporters Friday, per Tom Murphy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Pittman, who has stressed the importance of his team’s toughness, acknowledged some of the Razorbacks probably weren’t ready for the physically demanding scrimmage.
“I think any time that you have that lengthy of a scrimmage and it’s hot, I’m not sure that you’re ever ready for it, whether it’s mentally or physically,” Pittman said, per HawgSports.com. “I think the next one will be much better because the kids will have a better understanding of what a scrimmage here is like.
“But I think we just have to transition better on and off the field. We talked to them about it last week. I think we have to push ourselves, and a lot of it goes back to that mental toughness. I think we have to continue to express mental toughness in our program and if we do, I think that’ll help us in getting in shape, as well, because instead of jogging off, we’ll run off the field.”
Pittman was pleased with the overall effort but noted that the Hogs aren’t in shape for an SEC football season.
“I was proud of the way they chased the ball early,” Pittman told reporters. “I was proud of the offensive line, how they protected today. I think they did a nice job. And we’ve got some pretty good running backs. We’ve got some guys that will make people miss and guys that are tough.”
“Like I said, we’re just not in good enough shape yet to play. I don’t think, honestly, I’m not positive our kids were quite ready for that type of scrimmage,” Pittman added.
“I don’t know about the scrimmages they’ve had in the past, but this was a very physical, long scrimmage, and it just proved to us we’re not in quite good enough shape.”
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
