Gameday Extra

11.13.2021 PITTMAN MAKING TIME TO VISIT WITH ARKANSAS HS COACHES It's a big deal when an Arkansas assistant football coach stops by an in-state school, but it's clear there's nothing like the head coach stopping in. Razorback program boss Sam Pittman has been doing that with several schools in Arkansas this fall. "The coaches in the state have been so kind and so inviting on us coming to their schools," Pittman said. "We haven't had quite the opportunity to get out like we will here in a few weeks. "But it is very important, very important to get around, especially now when we are doing better and wanna be seen. Sometimes you don't want to be seen, but this is one of the times that you want to get into a school and show that brand became the Hogs are pretty strong right now, especially in the state of Arkansas." Shiloh Christian head coach Jeff Conaway, whose linebacker Kaden Henley is a 2022 Razorback pledge, is one of those who Pittman has visited this fall. "It is great that the head coach would take time out of his extremely hectic and I am sure extremely busy schedule to build those relationships with high school coaches and become more acquainted with different campuses across the state," Conaway said. "It sends a whole lot of positive messages to not only our athletes, but also our communities." Conaway notes that hasn't always been the case with previous coaches at Arkansas. "It is a strategic move on his part, but there has been several of those in the same position that have not done that extremely well. To carve out that time I think is a huge advantage for him." Pittman has also stopped by Fayetteville High where former Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick is the head coach. Fayetteville has two 2022 pledges in linebacker Mani Powell and wideout Isaiah Satenga. "I think it is very important for him (Pittman) to be out and about," Dick said. "I know he has a jam- packed schedule, but he has been on our campus four or five times, which is more than any head coach has been over during the time that I have been here. "Whether he is just coming in to talk a little bit or hang out and visit with kids, it is just a different atmosphere than before. He just wants to come by and check how you are doing and it is just special when he comes by your campus." Pittman has also been to Hot Springs Lakeside, where former Arkansas quarterback Jared McBride is the head coach and has the newest Razorback commit in sophomore tailback Braylen Russell (6-2, 225). Pittman stopped in to see McBride last month and it was greatly appreciated. Russell is Pittman's first 2024 commit to go along with 20 in his 2022 class and a trio of pledges for 2023. "He was here, stopped in and visited for about an hour," McBride said. "We were so glad to have him and we are looking forward to him coming through again. It is definitely a special day when the head hog shows up on campus so we were excited about that." McBride threw for a then- state record 4,049 yards and 53 touchdowns as a senior at Nashville before signing with Arkansas and playing for the Razorbacks from 1997-2000 in an injury-plagued career. He is pleased with how Pittman has turned around the Razorbacks, 6-3 heading into Saturday's game at LSU (4-5). "I think he has done an outstanding job," McBride said. "From everything that I hear, see and know and just the way he goes about his day, it just speaks to the kind of man he is. He is the kind of guy that can come into your office and sit down and talk to you for an hour. "He is not trying to prove anything. He is just being himself and that's what means a lot to us as football coaches and the kids. He is just genuine and he will tell you the truth." McBride believes that has translated into success on the gridiron. "You can see those results on the field," McBride said. "Those players are playing really, really hard for him. He puts them in good position and just goes about his day. The kids can see they have a good leader in Coach Pitt." COMMENTARY DUDLEY E. DAWSON HOW WE SEE IT ARKANSAS VS. LSU Special to the NWA Democrat-Gazette/David Beach Arkansas coach Sam Pittman has made it a point to visit some in-state high school coaches. 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 Thanks for voting us the Best of the Best! $ 65 NOW HIRING QUALIFIED THERAPISTS & ESTHETICIANS FAYETTEVILLE 3557 North Shiloh Drive 479-571-3689 ROGERS 2603 W Pleasant Grove Rd 479-633-8340 Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm | Sat 8 am-9 pm | Sun 10 am-8 pm *Offer valid for first-time guests only. All session times include a total of 10 minutes of time for consultation and dressing, which occurs pre and post-service. Additional taxes and fees may apply. Each location is independently owned and operated. ©2021 ME SPE Franchising, LLC. All rights reserved. ME-DNLD-1969-00-002-8.5X3.625 CLAY HENRY HAWGS ILLUSTRATED Night games in Death Valley are a tough assignment, but Sam Pittman has built a tough team. The Tigers may have better overall talent, but not the better team. The Hogs take a healthy O-line to Baton Rouge, something Alabama didn't have against the Tigers. It's the difference. Arkansas, 24-20 DUDLEY E. DAWSON HAWGS ILLUSTRATED I always look at the previous game and factor that into the upcoming game from an emotional standpoint. Arkansas is flying high after its exciting win over MSU while LSU took its best shot against Alabama and came up short. Treylon Burks had a signature game. Arkansas, 28-24 TOMMY CRAFT ESPN ARKANSAS LSU's defensive line is loaded with run stoppers that can also bring lots of pressure. There's still plenty of fight left in the Tigers. LSU, 28-17 SCOTTIE BORDELON WHOLE HOG SPORTS The way the Tigers fought and hung tough with Alabama last weekend makes me believe this game will be closer than I originally thought. With Treylon Burks, the Razorbacks always have at least a decent shot. He has another big game and Arkansas grabs win No. 7 on the road. Arkansas, 27-21 TYE RICHARDSON ESPN ARKANSAS Treylon Burks continues to prove why he's the best college wide receiver. MSU learned Burks is a man on a mission and so will LSU. Arkansas, 34-24 MATT JONES WHOLE HOG SPORTS It feels like a toss-up given LSU's result at Alabama, but there might be a hangover effect for the Tigers after losing a game they worked so hard toward for two weeks. Arkansas' offense is playing well and LSU has a tendency to leave several points on the field. Arkansas, 28-17 BART POHLMAN SPORT & STORY It's hard not to think that whatever LSU had left in the tank this season was spent in the close loss to Alabama. The Razorbacks are back to winning, and the defense got back on track a bit vs. State. But the Hogs need to clean up third downs in opposing territory to win on the road. Arkansas, 34-24 Special to the NWA Democrat-Gazette/David Beach Hot Springs Lakeside sophomore tailback and Arkansas commit Braylen Russell looks for yardage in a game earlier this season. Download the Whole Hog Sports app for all the latest Razorback's news and coverage Visit wholehogsports.com/alerts to recieve daily and breaking newsletters with the latest updates from Whole Hog Sports.

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