Pine Bluff’s Simeon Blair Stepping into Leadership Role

When you want to know what defense did, just ask old guy in secondary

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Sep 18, 2022 11:35 PM EDT
Original:
Sep 18, 2022

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas defensive back Simeon Blair didn't arrive in Fayetteville with a lot of notice.

He walked on and probably developed as much as anyone.

Now when we want to know what is going on with the defense, the fifth-year defensive back from Pine Bluff is the one you talk to ... just like after a 38-27 win over Missouri State on Saturday night that didn't start very smoothly.

Simeon Blair-Missouri State — Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Simeon Blair makes a diving attempt at grabbing an interception in Saturday's 38-27 win over Missouri State at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. (Ted McClenning / allHOGS Images)

"We started a little slow," he said about getting behind the Bears 17-0 before a recovery that was, for some, took an agonizing length of time. "On the sidelines we never had any panic."

Bryce Stephens' 82-yard punt return for a score finally put the Razorbacks over the top and they never looked back.

Blair wasn't particularly surprised.

"I have to cover him in practice," he said. "He's super fast and we'd talked about it all week in practice. We had to make sure we blocked their gunners. It was a big momentum shift that gave us a boost."

While a lot of people were complaining that, well, the Hogs should have stomped Missouri and former coach Bobby Petrino into oblivion, the players probably knew how good the Bears were for the FCS level.

They may have had a natural bit of over-confidence, but in the end it was a win, which is really all that matters.

"We'll celebrate this one like any win," Blair said.

Now the big test starts when the Hogs go to AT&T Stadium to meet a Texas A&M team that has more questions than answers. That game will start at 6 p.m. on ESPN and fuboTV.