Gameday Extra

10.3.2020 SUPER FAN CANAAN SANDY HEADS TO TEXAS TO SPREAD LOVE The NCAA's extended dead period may keep college coaches off the recruiting trail until Jan. 1, but it can't stop Arkansas' ESPN Hall of Fame fan Canaan Sandy from hitting the road. Sandy, 38, and his mom Ginger had already seen several Razorback in-state commits and targets before heading to Texas this week to see practices or games of four 2021 prospects pledged to Arkansas. Those included San Antonio Cornerstone Christian quarterback Lucas Coley (6-2, 205), Royse City wide receiver Ketron Jackson (6-2, 186), Bogata Rivercrest offensive lineman Cole Carson (6-6, 285), and Frisco cornerback Chase Lowery (6-0, 183). "Canaan has called it his world tour," Ginger Sandy noted. "Love all these young people and they bless us so much." It's clear that the recruits return the Sandys' love as evidenced by the sentiments of Little Rock Parkview star and Arkansas 2021 quarterback pledge Landon Rogers (6-5, 215). "It honestly just shows true support and love," Rogers said. "I don't know about you, but never in my life have I met someone so in tune with Arkansas commits… I mean he travels to see us, and it's not a regular 10-minute drive, it's hours. That's true love and support." Rogers didn't know Sandy was on hand to see a recent game until it was almost too late. "I almost missed the chance to meet him, but I was able to get across the field in time and snap it up and show love back," Rogers said. "It's amazing." Little Rock Parkview head coach Brad Bolding marvels at Sandy, who was born with Down's Syndrome, a hole in his heart, intestinal blockage and hearing loss. "We were really excited to see him at the game," Bolding said. "Landon took several pictures with him. He supports the Razorbacks no matter what good or bad. He absolutely loves the Hogs, the (current) players and future players." Jonesboro linebacker and Razorback commit Marco Avant (6-3, 212) was appreciative that Sandy made the trip to see him and admires the loyalty to the Razorbacks. "It was great seeing him parked right outside of the end zone cheering for me," Avant said. "He is the definition of a real Razorback. His dedication to the Arkansas Razorbacks is unmatched. His loyalty is unreal. I just hate I wasn't able to take a picture with him I hope I get another chance to one day." Canaan attended his first Arkansas game when he was just two months old, a week before having heart surgery. He had only been home three weeks before the surgery and spent two months in the hospital after it. He became known statewide and nationwide in 2014 when then Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema arranged for Sandy to score a touchdown in the Red- White game. Later that year, Sandy was inducted into the ESPN Hall of Fame along with Georgia's Pierce "The Joker" Wallace and the Sacramento Kings' Barbara "The Sign Lady" Rust. The Hall of Famers have their names engraved above stadium chairs on the lawn at ESPN, which created the honor in 2012 to highlight fans with compelling stories and extreme loyalty and dedication to the teams they love. Wynne offensive lineman and Arkansas pledge Terry Wells (6-5, 290) got one of the first visits this season from Sandy, who has overcome a heart attack and strokes in the past couple of years. "I really thank him for coming and supporting us," Wells said. "That shows he really cares and it means a lot to me. He's a true Razorback fan." Bryant senior quarterback Austin Ledbetter (6-1, 210), an Arkansas baseball commit, is as big a fan of Sandy, who attended the Razorbacks' season opener on Saturday. "It means a lot for him to come watch us play (and) to have someone that passionate about the Razorbacks means a lot," Ledbetter said. "To get to know future Razorbacks before they get to college shows the commitment Canaan has and the passion he has for the program." COMMENTARY DUDLEY E. DAWSON HOW WE SEE IT MSU VS. ARKANSAS CLAY HENRY HAWGS ILLUSTRATED This is a game that I felt Arkansas would win 10 days ago, but such a strong performance in Baton Rouge changed my mind. The Bulldogs are rolling on offense. Rakeem Boyd will make some plays, but lack of a pass rush will be a problem. MSU, 31-20. MATT JONES WHOLE HOG SPORTS Mississippi State has won the last two meetings by 46 and 30 points. Arkansas should make up some ground, but the teams' contrasting showings in Week 1 make the Bulldogs the pick at home. MSU, 37-21 TOMMY CRAFT THE MORNING RUSH KJ Costello's 623 passing yards against LSU makes it pretty easy for an improved Arkansas pass defense to zero in on what you are up against. Can Franks and the offense sustain drives to keep the Air Raid grounded? Expect a shootout in Starkville. MSU, 56-44. DUDLEY E. DAWSON HAWGS ILLUSTRATED The Mike Leach Air Raid offense gets its debut at home and will be too much for Arkansas this season. MSU, 51-24. BART POHLMAN THE HOG POD Arkansas showed more fight in the loss to Georgia than the Hogs have in recent seasons. Unfortunately, as will be a theme this season, it doesn't get any easier with Mississippi State — fresh off a debut win for Mike Leach vs. LSU. The offense will look better, but will it be enough? MSU, 41-27. SCOTTIE BORDELON WHOLE HOG SPORTS State not only putting up the offensive numbers it did at LSU, but winning in Baton Rouge was unexpected. This preseason, I thought Week 2 might provide Arkansas an opportunity to snap its long SEC losing streak. Barry Odom will put together a solid game plan, Feleipe Franks will improve and the Razorbacks will show signs of life on the ground. But, KJ Costello and Kylin Hill will be too much for a defense that was just beaten by a 5-foot-10 former walk-on quarterback. MSU, 35-24. SETH CAMPBELL WHOLE HOG SPORTS Arkansas' offense will look much improved, with Rakeem Boyd rushing for over 100 yards, but Mike Leach's air raid will be too much. Mississippi State's quarterback K.J. Costello will throw for over 500 yards, including a drive in the fourth that will put the game away. MSU, 45-35. TYE RICHARDSON THE MORNING RUSH The Hogs led the No. 4 team for close to 40 minutes with a defense that's light years ahead of last year. They'll be tested against State. MSU, 45-31. Canaan Sandy hits the road with his mother to see Arkansas football recruits. 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