Sam Pittman, the coach of the University of Arkansas, stated that Isaiah Augustave, a freshman running back, would receive more playing time versus Florida International at his Wednesday media session.
Pittman stated, “He might play a little more on Saturday.”
In the end, Augustave played a lot more, contributing to Arkansas’ 44-20 victory over FIU on Saturday night at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Due to injuries sustained by running backs Raheim “Rocket” Sanders and Rashod Dubinion in the first half, Augustave was given a lot of totes and finished with a team-high 101 yards.
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson commented, “It was great to see him get out there and use this game as a confidence booster.” “He has been putting in a lot of practice.
“He was ready and prepared for the chance that came his way today. A young man like Isaiah who simply waits for his turn is what you want to see.
“He made the most of being summoned when his number was called. I felt incredibly proud. I was certain he received a hundred yards. I told him to go outside over and over. Proceed to run. Continue running.”
In the second quarter, Augustave gained nine and thirteen yards on his first two attempts, contributing to a touchdown drive that kept Arkansas ahead, 14–13. He lost yards on none of his carries.
He ran so well, Pittman said. “We handed it off one time to what really should have been a dead play and he got 12 yards.”
Augustave gained 56 yards on eight carries in the third quarter, including a 25-yard long run. His fourth-quarter total of 88 yards came from his first two carries.
“We were all saying, ‘Coach, include him!'” Insert him! “We need to get him to 100 percent,” stated Brady Latham, a senior guard.
In the opening play of Arkansas’s last play, Augustave gained eight yards on a carry to reach 101. Then AJ Green took his position.
“I’ve just been really patient with all the guys in front of me,” Augustave stated. “Getting prepared for this moment.”
Despite appearing in ten games, Augustave’s main function has been on special teams. Before the FIU game, he had 21 yards on six carries.
Pittman said, “He ran hard, he waited his time, and he’ll do it again next week,” with an eye toward Friday’s season finale against Missouri. “He deserves to be on the field.
“I’m incredibly pleased and thrilled for him. Wow, what a debut for someone who realizes he needs to keep working.”
Pittman stated that Dubinion hurt his knee and Sanders hurt his shoulder, but he is unsure of the severity of the injuries.
According to Pittman, the strategy was to give Dubinion and Augustave more carries when playing the Conference USA Panthers.
“We were going to play them more than what we had, let’s say that,” Pittman stated. “Both R-Dub and Rocket suffered injuries.
We got to rehearse Isaiah with the ones, which is a fantastic part about it. For us, it turned out nicely.”
Before Saturday night, Pittman claimed that Augustave’s offensive opportunities had been restricted by inexperience.
Pittman stated, “His youth kept him off the field.” Knowing every play, every call, and everything like most first-years.
However, I was curious to see what he might accomplish in a real game going into this week. We required a chance to counterattack.”
With 312 yards on 55 runs, junior running back Green leads Arkansas’s running backs in rushing yards. The sophomore Dubinion has 260 yards on 82 carries.
Due to a knee injury, Sanders, a junior and preseason All-American who ran for 1,433 yards in 2022, has only been able to play in six games. He has 209 yards on 62 runs.
“We needed someone to make people miss, run over people, hit holes or whatever it may be with some urgency,” Pittman stated. “We thought it might put some urgency into that whole group as well by seeing that [Augustave] was going to get the opportunity to play.”
