FIU Coach Says Plenty That Should Make Pittman Feel Better

Soundbite will be one Razorbacks coach should cherish for long time

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Nov 17, 2023 12:53 PM EST
Original:
Nov 17, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – When Florida International coach Mike MacIntyre took to the podium for his weekly press conference this past Tuesday, he said a few things that caught everyone's attention. Even Arkansas coach Sam Pittman might here about it.

The first was that he feels like he's going into the Razorbacks game with what he describes as a line lacking the typical development one might want when facing an SEC opponent because of a shortage of experience. MacIntyre appears to be laying the groundwork for what he expects to be a tough day against the size, strength and speed of the Hogs' defensive line.

"To be honest, we're a JV offensive line age-wise," MacIntyre said. "We're freshmen and sophomores. That's what we are. So, they've kept improving and they've had their tough moments, but we're gonna keep getting all those backs. They're bigger and stronger and they've shown some glimpses of doing some really good things and had some other hard days."

It should be noted he also described quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Raheim "Rocket" Sanders as being bigger than his defensive linemen. However, as good as the news might be for Pittman to hear, the Panthers come to town with its own offensive line concerns while also joining Western Carolina as the second team to come in talking about needing to teach players how to tackle before facing the Razorbacks, there's way better news for Pittman to lock onto around the 13:15 mark of MacEntyre's press conference.

"Oh, Sam Pittman's awesome," MacEntyre exclaimed. "He has a genuine love for football. An understanding of what college football is all about. He was definitely, to me being around him as much as I have, he's the kind of guy I would love coaching my sons. He cares about young people. He cares about the process of college football and he cares about the game. To me he's a very humble person, which is really genuine, and I really appreciate that."

There's a soundbite Pittman might want to get downloaded and played on loop for every recruit who has doubts, and then stand outside athletic director Hunter Yurachek's window Friday night with an old school portable "jukebox" raised above his head playing over and over again. He might even be able to get an intern to load a nice bit of inspirational music in the background just to take up the experience a notch.

Those might be the best words Pittman's heard in quite a while. He might almost feel bad about trying to meet 30-point point spread Vegas keeps kicking around. After all, it's been a dark week for the Razorback coaching staff.

However, if Florida International finds a way to stick around for most of the game Saturday in front of a depleted Arkansas crowd that will provide much different atmosphere than the Panthers originally expected, that week will get much darker and the light at the end of the tunnel this time won't be the Polar Express.

The kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, probably in front of a small, intimate gathering of fans in Razorback Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPNU and fuboTV.