Big Performance from One Razorback Unit Puts Pittman in Uncharted Waters

Hogs special teams give coaching staff promise moving forward after solid start Saturday

Author:
Daniel Shi
Updated:
Sep 5, 2023 3:43 AM EDT
Original:
Sep 4, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Quarterback KJ Jefferson looked good. Only five incompletions all day to go along with three touchdowns and no interceptions. The defensive unit full of transfers generated five turnovers and two sacks.

Perhaps, lost in the shuffle and most encouraging is just how much better the special teams looked as a unit on Saturday in Arkansas' 56-13 win over the Western Carolina Catamounts.

"This is the best we've looked after a first game," Coach Sam Pittman said about his special teams unit. "It helps because you have better players, and that way you have better athletes on the field. It helps when you have a returner that we really believe in. Not to say we didn't before, but I think 16 (redshirt freshman wide receiver Isaiah Sategna) has a chance to be pretty good back there."

Even though Sategna was quiet in the passing game (two receptions, 14 yards), he made his presence felt in the return game. Combining kickoff and punt returns, Sategna finished the day with four returns for 97 yards – an average of 24.25 yards per return. Granted, it was an FCS school that has had its fair share of tackling issues in the past, but that was a far cry from last year. Arkansas had a grand total of 19 return yards in the season opener last year against Cincinnati.

Then there's the punting. The Hogs didn't have to give the ball back often, but when they did, it was rather effective. Sophomore punter Max Fletcher punted five times for an average of 49 yards and pinned the Catamounts inside the 20 twice. It was a marked improvement from his opening day performance last year in the showdown with his brother, Mason Fletcher, where he averaged 38.5 yards per punt.

"I was real pleased with how high he (Fletcher) kicked the ball," Pittman said. "I think we had a 50-something yarder and no return. I was really happy with Fletcher because he kicked the ball fairly consistent. He's got that kind of leg."

Despite not attempting a field goal, junior kicker Cam Little went 8-for-8 in extra points. He has now made all 104 attempts in his career at Arkansas.