FAYETTEVILLE- Now that bowl eligibility is off the table with today’s loss to Auburn, it may be time to look to the future for Razorbacks football. That may have started today with the late-game insertion of Jacoby Criswell at quarterback.
Make no mistake; today was a total breakdown in all phases of the game. Auburn started quickly and never let off of the accelerator on the way to a big SEC win in Fayetteville. Auburn coach Hugh Freeze had his Tigers well-prepared with motions and misdirection on offense that kept the Arkansas defense on its heals all day.
The Arkansas crowd, although very frustrated, deserved a lot of credit today. The Hogs were down 21 points in the first quarter, but the stadium erupted on Dwight McGlothern’s interception that everyone hoped would sway the momentum to Arkansas. But as the offense has struggled all year, the Hogs could not cash in the turnover with a touchdown to get them back into the game.
Florida International will visit Fayetteville next week, and they will be coming to compete with Arkansas. The Hogs must regroup while turning their attentions to getting players on the field who they may be counting on next season.
It’s a tough time for the team and the coaching staff. It has been a disappointing season for everyone connected to the program, and a lot of questions will need to be answered in a couple of weeks when the staff evaluates the season and what went wrong. That will be the first step in going back to work in the offseason and addressing the issues that need to be addressed.
The following is a transcript from today’s postgame press conference as provided by the University of Arkansas.
Sam Pittman, Arkansas Head Coach
Opening statement:
“Obviously Auburn played exceptional, we did not. We’ll give them credit for playing really well. They were ready to play. I felt like we were through the week, coming off the week, we had a
really good week of practice. But we got dominated today, and we’ve got to go back to work to figure out why.”
On the difference from last week to this week:
“We couldn’t handle that edge on defense. We tried different things on defense, but any time they wanted to get on the edge, we couldn’t handle the line. We didn’t tackle well, we went back
to going where the protection wasn’t any good, you know, giving up five sacks. Couldn’t run the ball, we got stymied running the football. Things that we did pretty well last week.
“I thought we had a really good week of practice and preparation, I felt really good going into the game. They jumped on us with the first drive, and then they held us. They came back with
a punt, but we did the same thing with Florida last week and they came back, but we just… we never did. Didn’t tackle well all game, didn’t block well all game, and that’s what happened. We
haven’t been in this situation, but we were in it today. We fought, we tried to get out of it, but we just never did.”
On the early deficit in the first quarter:
“Well you know, a lot of times you’ll say that you get the momentum back, but we just never had it. You know what I mean? It was 7-0, then the punt, another three-and-out, then another
drive for a touchdown. At some point you need somebody to make the play, and Nudie (Dwight McGlothern) made the play. And we go out there with three downs and kick a field goal. But
they just physically whipped us in all phases of the game.”
On the decision to put Jacolby Criswell in at QB:
“Well, we’re down 41-3 and KJ is getting the heck beat out of him out there, so obviously I wanted to look at Jacolby. I talked to KJ, and I thought (Jacolby) went in there and played really well.
I thought he played like how he thought he would, like how he’s been practicing and things of that nature. Bottom line is that there’s seven minutes left in the third quarter and we’re down
41-3, KJ was bloodied up and things and I wanted to see what Jacolby could do.”
On the mentality post-bowl eligibility:
“Yeah, I mean there was a lot of importance to win today, and that was one of them, to keep that alive, to get to Missouri, hopefully to get to Missouri with that opportunity. I think right now,
we talked to them a bit afterwards, I think we’ll see a little bit more of what we’re made of.
“Are we gonna fight, are we gonna prepare, these types of things this week. I have no doubt that we will, but we’ve gotta get ready for FIU and I just don’t think there’s any way we won’t be
ready for them. I don’t think we have a locker room problem, to be honest with you. We got our butt kicked today.”
Trajan Jeffcoat, Arkansas DE
On what happened today after the high of last week:
“Honestly, we just got to do better as a defense. We already took a commitment after this to bounce back. We’re just going to get in the film room. Get better and just take it from there.”
On three straight losses at home and not playing better in front of the home crowd
“I mean it’s definitely hard to lose here in front of the home crowd, but I mean we have to keep pushing. I believe in my teammates, so we’re just going to keep pushing, and take everything
one game at a time and just go up from here.”
On what the motivation is after losing bowl eligibility:
“Playing for each other. We just going to keep playing for each other. We’re not going to lose hope. We love our teammates, everybody loves each other. We are just going to keep pushing.”
On how tough it is when you get in a hole that big that fast. (21-0 deficit)
“The momentum for them was very strong, but we still held our heads high on the sideline. We didn’t bicker amongst each other. We didn’t point fingers. I mean we are a team.”
Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas WR
Was it surprising to you that you guys were this flat after last week:
“Yeah, I think we had high expectations, everyone did, especially after last week. We struggled executing what we were supposed to do. Now we have to move on and get ready for next
week.”
The team was 1 of 12 on 3rd down, what do you think the issues were with the third down struggles.
“It’s hard to convert on third down when it’s always third-and-long. We struggled a lot on first and second down and setting ourselves up for short yardage plays on third down. We have to
make sure we establish the run game and setting ourselves up on third down to go and convert.”
Jacolby came in and had a big run and added a touchdown, can you talk about what be brought to the huddle.
“We’re happy for the kid. He’s been the number two guy all year and it’s cool to see when he gets his opportunity to go out there and execute, running and throwing the ball.
Arkansas will play its final two games of the season at home next weekend and on Friday, November 24th.
And then, it will be time to go back to work for next year.
Note to Our Readers: Portions of this story were sourced directly from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Grace Taffola.
