Razorback Update: Review of the film showed the same loss

The coaching staff’s film study from the Razorbacks’ 48-10 loss to Auburn last week, according to Arkansas coach Sam Pittman, looked a lot like the live show.

Pittman mentioned the defensive attack and said, “We were running some stunts.” The edge was not being handled by us. We were losing the edge a lot because we were not getting out to turn the ball back. Poor handling was used.

However, we made it clear that we needed to take a different approach. Our conclusion is lacking polish. couldn’t leave the field quickly enough with their rushing assault. They exceeded us physically.

Auburn amassed 517 total yards, a season high for an Arkansas opponent, and ran for 354 yards, a season high for Arkansas.

The previous records were set by Texas A&M with 204 rushing yards and LSU with 509 total yards.

Pittman stated, “As far as the blocking, breaking tackles, protecting the quarterback in all phases, and getting open, there’s not a whole lot in there to say.” “Basically, it was probably just how it appeared during the game,”

Pittman emphasized that Jacolby Criswell, the backup quarterback, showed some vigor during his nine snaps, including one touchdown drive.

Pittman remarked, “I thought Jacolby came in and gave us a spark though and played extremely hard.” “Even on the final throw, I believed it was perfectly timed. Simply said, we missed it. He performed a really fantastic job, in my opinion.

Williams nominated

The team’s nominee for the annual Broyles Award, which is given to the best assistant coach in college football, is Travis Williams, the defensive coordinator at Arkansas.

During his first season as a member of the Sam Pittman staff, Williams has managed a defense that has improved significantly in 2023, particularly in pass coverage. The Razorbacks are ranked 38th in passing defense (205.6) after finishing last in the FBS in that category in 2022, and 49th in total defense (allowing 357.5 yards per game).

Williams is one of the 63 nominees, which also include Alabama-Birmingham offensive coordinator Alex Mortensen, a former Arkansas quarterback, and Kevin Peoples, a Missouri defensive line/edge coach.

Other SEC assistants that are being considered for the position include defensive coordinators for Tennessee, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Georgia (Tim Banks, Mike Bobo, Mike Denbrock, and Pete Golding).

Back to work

Landon Jackson and Chris Paul, two Arkansas defenders, stated that in order to get ready for Florida International, the Razorbacks must forget about their worst defensive performance of the year against Auburn.

The Razorbacks were shown clips by defensive coordinator Travis Williams of how the Auburn Run-Pass Option attack looks were practiced and executed on game day.

Paul remarked, “It’s obvious that the result of the game disappointed everyone on the team.” “Nobody believes they were playing football the Arkansas way. It was all about “how do we get back to that Arkansas brand” with Coach T-Will.

Jackson stated, “To be honest, we weren’t executing the play. We went into our unit meeting and the coach told us everything he knew he did wrong. Then he just showed us certain plays at practice and the same play being called in the game. We weren’t wrapping up or playing football in our usual manner.

Paul reported that FIU’s practice this week has gone fairly well.

He stated, “We’ve just been focusing on the little things and stuff like that, just trying to get a stop on the other team’s offense.”

It’s faster

Coach Mike MacIntyre of Florida International said that although true freshman quarterback Keyone Jenkins is improving, he still needs to be patient as he works through his learning curve.

After leading Miami Central High School to three straight state championships, the rookie assumed the starting position in Week 2. He has completed 146 passes out of 247 for 1,900 yards, six touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

“Everything speeds up from high school football to college football,” MacIntyre remarked. When you try to scramble, the D-line closes on you faster and the secondary windows close faster.

He is truly developing and learning all of that. It’s exciting to watch him improve on the practice field, occasionally on the field of play, and unquestionably in the film room as he gains a deeper understanding of football at the collegiate level.

“A lot of his progress has pleased us. I am aware that he experiences frustration, just like everyone else, when attempting to complete more tasks and plays. We’re very excited about Keyone, and he will continue to get better.

Punt returns

After Ainias Smith of Texas A&M returned the ball 82 yards, Keionte Scott’s 74-yard punt return touchdown was the second one the Razorbacks had given up this season. Max Fletcher’s punts outpaced Arkansas’s safe coverage area in both cases.

Coach Sam Pittman stated, “Special teams, obviously we’ve got to cover better.” We have now conceded touchdowns twice. We completely outplayed it.

Tyrone Broden and LaDarrius Bishop, two Arkansas gunners, were seven or eight yards away from Scott when he made the catch at his 26. Auburn blockers were covering them. Linebacker Jordan Crook converged on Scott after he made a tiny cut that allowed snapper Eli Stein to get only an arm on him.

But Scott got it going and outran Crook, who was then destroyed by safety Malik Chavis, who also gave the return man a turnstile arm. Only Isaac TeSlaa, Cam Ball, the protector, and punter Fletcher remained in pursuit. When Scott slowed down at the ten-minute mark, TeSlaa closed in, but his diving leg-swipe attempt was unsuccessful in upending Scott because his juke had eliminated Fletcher and the large Ball from the game.

Pittman stated, “At the same time we’ve got to get a guy on the ground.” “We missed tackles on that one too, but we had opportunities too.”

Bock shock

John Bock, the starting center for FIU, did not play last week because the NCAA suspended him for a year in late October after he tested positive for a prohibited substance.

Ming Tjon, a redshirt sophomore who weighs 325 pounds and is 6-3, took over for the 305-pound player.

“He visited one of those supplement shops,” Mike MacIntyre, the coach at FIU, stated. In terms of NCAA eligibility, we advise our guys to wait to take supplements before contacting us.

“It didn’t have any of the descriptions of the things the NCAA would test you for, so he took one of the weight-gain things, whatever they are. However, they combine those items in various concoctions. Thus, he tested positive for the NCAA, meaning he will miss the entire season and be eligible to return in October of the following year.