Snow blanketed the field to start the day as two rivals, Arkansas and LSU, would embark on the 71st meeting on the football field. The Razorbacks were as cold as the temperatures in the 13-10 loss to the Tigers before a home crowd of 73,750. In this game, the Hogs were inconsistent in multiple ways, yet we will only focus on three. This loss falls on quarterback, running game, play-calling, and decision-making inconsistencies, which are not new, as we have discussed. Is there possibly trouble brewing in Fayetteville? We will get into that shortly. What are the inconsistencies of Arkansas that cost them against LSU?
Inconsistencies That Led to Loss
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QB Play
Arkansas has seen many inconsistencies this season, the main one is the most intriguing. This season, many questions have been raised about the quarterback position for the Razorbacks. Since the Alabama game, the health of KJ Jefferson has been in doubt, and this week it continued. It was announced that Jefferson would be out with a shoulder injury and would not play. It seems as if Sam Pittman likes to be very cryptic and attempts to show a certain “sportsmanship” for a competitive advantage when deciding who will start the week-to-week. With Jefferson out, it meant that Malik Hornsby would start this week in a pressure cooker situation against the Tigers.
We all know about the athletic abilities of Hornsby. Hornsby would start the game slow through the air creating two for six. He would be more effective on the ground with 18 rushes for 37 yards. Hornsby would finish the game by being pulled after going four for nine for 24 yards passing and never giving this high-powered offense any spark. Arkansas came into this week with the number thirteen-ranked offense in the nation and was looking for Hornsby to keep it running. Hornsby would be pulled for transfer Cade Fortin.
Is He Next?
Fortin would come in and ignite life into the offense. To further this point, Fortin had the only passing touchdown for the Hogs with his 40-yarders to Matt Landers to cut the lead to three. Fortin would finish the day eight for 13 for 92 yards through the air and five rushes for 17 yards and looked to be the better quarterback. Fortin has solidified himself as the definite backup to Jefferson moving forward.
This position has been one of inconsistent play and decision-making by this staff regarding who will play. It was apparent that there was significant uncertainty around Jefferson against LSU. Many have questioned why Jefferson played against Liberty in a 21-19 loss instead of saving him for the conference slate. As mentioned above, Pittman has been very cryptic about who will play, which has become a significant issue for him and his Hogs. The play of the quarterback has become the first inconsistency for Arkansas football.
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Running Game
One thing that Arkansas does well offensively is run the ball. Before the game against LSU, Arkansas ranked 10th nationally with 233 yards per game. Regarding the running game, the Razorbacks have a rocket in the backfield. Raheim “Rocket” Sanders has been the staple of this portion of the offense, yet the wick hasn’t been lit over the last two weeks.
Last week against Liberty, Sanders had 17 rushes for 60 yards, a season-low at the time. Against LSU, Sanders struggled to accumulate only 46 yards this week on 12 rushes with zero TDs. Sanders has not rushed for a touchdown in the last three games and hasn’t had over 20 carries in a game since the Alabama game, where he had 22. This is another ongoing that is baffling. Why can’t the #10 ranked rushing team and one of the best running backs in the country get going? Could it have to do with the above quarterback controversy?
Sanders hasn’t had a rushing touchdown in the last three games, and this is an issue that needs to be addressed. The Razorbacks have problems on this roster, and inconsistent play in their most vital positions is rearing its ugly head. The scariest point is that these are leading to losses. This is an inconsistency that shouldn’t be there but it is one that has to be corrected immediately.
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Play calling/ Decision Making
Different factors impact a coach’s play call on the field. In every game, fans and coaches question or second-guess some plays. In the loss to LSU, the Razorbacks’ play calling cost them opportunities that were missed again this season. These decisions by this staff have put this team in an exciting position moving forward.
Last week against Liberty, it was rumored that Jefferson was out with the same shoulder injury he was with this week. It begs the question of why the staff would play him. After a week, even Pittman admitted that Hornsby took the first team snaps all week. This is not putting your team in a winning position. Players can’t play to their best when you change the signal caller as the team is running on the field.
Many Questions
Against LSU, the Hogs were 0 for 2 on fourth-down conversions. In most games, this stat would be looked over, but in this instance, it is a stat that has to be noticed. In the third quarter, Arkansas would choose to go for it on fourth and short from the three-yard line. This decision to not take the field goal and three points would be the difference in a loss-and-tie game. Findings like these have Arkansas fans scratching their heads over the last two weeks. This inconsistency is the last one we will discuss, but it is one many are not.
Furthermore, these three inconsistencies for Arkansas will need to be addressed and fixed for this team to achieve its remaining goals. Arkansas is now 5-5, 2-4 in the SEC, on the season and has Ole Miss and Missouri left on their schedule. The Hogs will need a minimum of one win out of these games to become bowl eligible; Arkansas and Ole Miss will meet in Fayetteville, Arkansas, at 6 pm central time and will be televised on ESPN.
