Gameday Extra

10.16.2021 MORNING FOOTBALL TOUGH TO ATTRACT VISITORS When it comes to football recruiting, its obvious there are some things that work better than others. Having 11 a.m. kickoffs is not one of the positives and this weekend's group of Arkansas unofficial grid iron visitors number far less that the Razorbacks hosted on campus during their first three home games. That being said, there are still some difference makers on campus on Saturday, a point made by Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman. "I think anytime that you have an 11-day advance, 10 to 12 days knowing the time, that certainly helps," Pittman said. "It is going to hinder your guys that have long travel, that's obvious. "We would like to have another night game, hopefully Mississippi State, because that Missouri game (on Nov.6) is already set (for day). We sure would like that for recruiting purposes and for the fans. They like night games, too. "But we are doing pretty well I think as far as getting kids here, at least the list I saw and the ones I have been texting about coming here. It is a really nice list for this weekend." The list includes a pair of Arkansas 2022 pledges in four-star offensive lineman Andrew Chamblee (6-6, 284) of Maumelle and Brownsville, Tenn., three- star defensive back Jaylen Lewis (6-2, 175) and a 2023 in Bentonville offensive lineman Joey Su'a (6-4, 319). Chamblee, a teammate of fellow Arkansas pledge and defensive tackle Nico Davillier (6-5, 275), is one of 18 commits in a Razorback class that is ranked 20th nationally and seventh in the SEC by 247 Sports composite rankings. He is among a strong group of offensive linemen pledged. Also included is Joe T. Robinson's E'Marion Harris (6-7, 370), Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes standout Eli Henderson (6-5, 300) and Memphis Christian Brothers Patrick Kutas (6-5, 290). Lewis is one of three defensive backs in the fold along with Detroit (Mich.) Belleville's Myles Rowser (6- 1, 190) and Anthony Brown (6-2, 190) of Milan, Tenn. Su'a is among of a trio of 2023 Razorback pledges along with a pair of tight ends in Ashdown's Shamar Easter (6-5, 225) and Jaden Hamm (6-6, 225) of Eudora, Kan. North Cobb, Ga., senior receiver Sam M'Bake (6-3, 205), a top 2023 receiving target with an impressive offer list, is also slated to be on hand. Arkansas offered M'Bake on Oct. 7 and joins Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Miami (FL), Penn State, Tennessee, USC and Wisconsin among others. Garland, Texas, Lakeview Centennial four-star junior defensive end Trey Wilson (6-3, 230) is also slated to be in attendance. He has offers from Arkansas, Michigan, Oklahoma State, Arizona State, Baylor, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, SMU and Utah. The Razorbacks will also have the chance to impress Monsignor, Fla., sophomore quarterback Adrian Posse (6- 4, 210). He already has offers from Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami (FL), Notre Dame, Ohio State and Texas A&M. Pittman is happy with the exposure his team has been getting this season. "If you look at us as far as television, we have had great exposure TV-wise with College Gameday and SEC Nation was here, a lot of ESPN games and a lot of CBS (games)," Pittman said. "I am not sure we have played on the SEC Network this year. If it was, it was plus or whatever, hard to get to, the first game of the year." Pittman again made it clear that he and his staff will be looking to fortify the current 2022 group, first among high school prospects. "We would not turn down a great one at any position, one that we go 'we have to have,'" Pittman said. "But we are light in the wide receiver room, we would probably take an exceptional tackle on offense, we need pass rushers on defense. I think we are doing well at linebacker." He will also continue to monitor the NCAA transfer portal. "I think if you went to the portal, we would take a corner, a speed corner, and if you go in the portal you start looking at are you willing to take a tight end? Are you to take a rush end, a corner, a wideout. "There are a lot of places I think we could help our football team through the portal. "We will have some scholarships saved for that reason, but not a bunch. I don't believe in wholesale changes. I believe in building a program through the high school ranks. You just have to win enough games to coach the guys. That's the problem of doing it the way I want to do it. "But I am old and I am going to do it like I want to. Hopefully it will work out." COMMENTARY DUDLEY E. DAWSON HOW WE SEE IT ARKANSAS VS. AUBURN CLAY HENRY HAWGS ILLUSTRATED Auburn's offense is less of a threat for a beat-up Arkansas defense. KJ Jefferson gives Arkansas the clear edge at quarterback. That's a winning combination. Arkansas, 31-17 DUDLEY E. DAWSON HAWGS ILLUSTRATED Both teams showed they were no match for Georgia, but this looks like a pretty even matchup. Getting to 5-2 will be big for the winner. Arkansas, 27-24 MATT JONES WHOLE HOG SPORTS Arkansas has faced college football's best defense and maybe its best offense the last two weeks. The Razorbacks should fare better against a team that is not as complete on either side of the ball. Arkansas, 31-21 SCOTTIE BORDELON WHOLE HOG SPORTS The Razorbacks will be the beneficiary of Auburn coming off of a physical home loss to Georgia. Arkansas will carry some offensive momentum from the Ole Miss game and perform well. It will come down to whether or not the Razorbacks can limit Bo Nix's impromptu playmaking. I think they can. This has the makings of another classic. Arkansas, 28-24 TOMMY CRAFT ESPN ARKANSAS Another "bounce back" 11 a.m. try for the Hogs and the pressure to avoid a three-game skid feels strong. Getting Treylon Burks more first-half opportunties is the key. Arkansas, 30-24 TYE RICHARDSON ESPN ARKANSAS KJ Jefferson leads Arkansas back on track. Bo Nix continues to take a beating in the SEC. Arkansas, 45-27 BART POHLMAN SPORT & STORY Arkansas' offense played plenty well enough to beat Ole Miss. The defense struggled, though, against one of the country's best attacks. A much-needed return to Fayetteville will get the Hogs back on track against an Auburn team coming off a loss to Georgia. Arkansas, 27-21 The Best Gutters You Will Ever Have. Period. 479-221-9599 | 888-419-4906 www.leafguardandmore.com Fall = Clogged Gutters Football LeafGuard brand by Englert is the original and only one- piece gutter system, with a built-in hood that covers the gutter bottom and deflects leaves and other debris. This unique, seamless design keeps debris from collecting in your gutters which: • Prevents clogs from forming • Keeps water flowing freely • Eliminates leaks and the threat of water damage • Makes climbing ladders to clean gutters unnecessary Say Goodbye to CloGGed GutterS! Get leafGuard gutters, a unique patented system designed to stay clog free. leafGuard is the only seamless, one-piece leaf protection gutter system on the market. C A L L T O D AY Best BestNWA.com of Northwest Arkansas the 479-287-6205 www.surfcorestoration.com • Water Damage • Mold Remediation • Asbestos Abatement • Asbestos Testing • Commercial Building • Sanitizing • Construction Located in Fayetteville, serving Northwest Arkansas, the River Valley and surrounding areas 123 S. Maestri Road • Springdale 479-361-2000 • www.sodpartners.com Where the grass is alWays greener. The Sod Store offers the highest quality grass and mulch along with topsoil, grass seed, and several different types of rock. We supply homeowners, contractors, and builders in the Northwest Arkansas area. https://subscribe.wehco.com/nwadg/hawgs/

• Cover