Razorback Football’s Embarrassing Days Were All But Gone

Pittman’s promise has fallen short with Arkansas returning to 2019 form.

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Nov 11, 2023 8:29 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With an embarrassing 48-10 loss to Auburn on Saturday, the Arkansas Razorbacks have returned to a spot they’ve kept warm for much of the past decade – last in the SEC West.

After a monumental win that could’ve changed the Hogs' fortunes for the remainder of 2023, a return to Razorback Stadium sounded promising. Bowl eligibility was in Arkansas’ grasp. Yet, they were throttled at home, allowing fans to boo a lack of effort before most exited at halftime.

If Coach Sam Pittman saved his job last week with a road win over Florida, all the good will built up shattered. A promise made following a 30-28 road loss to Auburn in 2020 has now fallen short.

“The times of us going some place and embarrassing our fans and our football team are over,” Pittman said.

Technically he's right. The Razorbacks didn’t have to travel anywhere this week, but teams should always play their best at home. Momentum and swag ought to carry over, but it didn’t. Arkansas fell behind 21-0 midway through the first quarter. There was a lack of fire, intensity and integrity by the Razorback offense that gave no one belief a win might materialize.

“We hadn't been in this situation before,” Pittman said. "We were in it today, and we didn't know how to respond.”

A glimmer of hope for next year was shown with two electric plays by back-up quarterback Jacolby Criswell. The Morrilton, Arkansas native ran 60 yards into the Auburn red zone. Then, threw an 11-yard strike to Isaac TeSlaa to score the Hogs' first touchdown inside Razorback Stadium since September.

There’s no excuse to be this bad at home at any point of a coaching tenure. However, it’s come to the point of being blown to smithereens and lacking the will to compete, which hasn’t been an issue until now.

“For whatever reason, it didn't look like we played with a lot of energy,” Pittman said. “That's not what a good coach or a well-coached team does."

Arkansas holds a 7-13 mark since the Texas A&M loss last season and have one victory at home against a Power Five opponent since September 2022. To make matters worse, the Razorbacks have only averaged 18 points per game at home.

It may be time to reconsider the future of the Razorback football program considering the changing complexion of the SEC and college football beginning summer 2024.