The final two games will test the pride of the Razorbacks
|The Arkansas Razorbacks’ pride will be put to the test in the final two games in front of an irate home crowd, with bowl hopes long since gone.
After losing to the Auburn Tigers 48-10 at home, the Arkansas Razorbacks can officially rule out making a bowl game. The Hogs will play for pride in front of a home crowd that hasn’t seen a victory since Week 2, with two games left on the schedule and a lot riding on the outcome of the program in the long run.
Most people have been surprised by the Razorbacks’ 3-7 record thus far, and the majority of the season’s bright spots have occurred outside of Fayetteville. Redshirt junior offensive lineman Joshua Braun feels the goal is obvious as the Hogs try to improve on a 1-3 record at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium this season and welcome Florida International.
“Ultimately, it comes down to us as an offense just doing what we’re supposed to do,” Braun stated. “We haven’t put together a good showing at home, so it doesn’t matter if it’s FIU or Georgia at home this week, we’re preparing exactly the same way, hoping to put on a good show for the fans and just for our brothers.”
Braun also thinks that even though the Hogs know their season will end in two weeks, they should still be very motivated to play well in their final two games.
We are in a very simple season right now, said Braun. “We still have two games to go. Right now, it’s something to be proud of. We are heading out there to perform. Our goal is not to win championships. Other than our brothers, our supporters, and our self-confidence, we have nothing to play for. That’s hopefully the product we use on Saturday.”
Naturally, nobody involved in the program can possibly try to ignore the ongoing rumors on the internet regarding head coach Sam Pittman’s whereabouts. Linebacker Christopher Paul Jr., a redshirt sophomore, sees these final two games as an opportunity to demonstrate the program’s direction.
“I feel like we are putting everything out there for our coaches because we really love these guys,” Paul commented. These guys are fervent about ball games and similar activities. For us, it’s all about turning off the outside world, playing our style of football, and worrying about FIU this week. Taking advantage of the two opportunities that we’ve left to get this program going in the right direction.”