Updates from Arkansas head football coach Sam Pittman’s Monday press conference

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas head football coach Sam Pittman looks back on his team’s 39-31 loss at OSU on Saturday and ahead as the Razorbacks (1-1) host UAB (1-1) in Fayetteville on Saturday at 3 p.m.

• Coach Pittman confirms that WR Jaden Wilson has entered the transfer portal – or can do so on Oct. 1 since he has graduate.
• Also notes that he has suspended WR Dazmin James this week for breaking team rules.
• Happy to be home for first time this season.
• UAB has former Arkansas QB Alex Mortensen on its staff and former Razorback Patrick Foley is its punter
• UAB – whose head coach is former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer – opened with a 41-3 home win over Alcorn Sate and then lost 32-6 at Louisiana-Mornoe, whose QB is former Oklahoma player General Maximus Axel Booty
• Offense did great rolling up over 600 yards total offense, but left yards and points on field due to turnovers, execution and penalties. Got to clean that up
• Says Arkansas wasted at least 7 seconds on last drive. Gave FG kicker Kyle Ramsey credit for making field goal, but obviously has a tough day
• WR/Punt returner Isaiah Sategna has to let his teammates know verbally that he is far catching ball.
• Defense didn’t get enough pressure on QB
• Remains very proud and excited about his team – believes teams is better, has to just clean up mistakes. Notes he feels better about this team than any he has had here.
• DB Hudson Clark hurt back in the game. Was able to come back and play on specials teams after that. Getting MRI today.
• TB Ja’Quinden Jackson was cramping. That didn’t help late obviously. Would have liked to have had him there late. He later noted that Jackson is in shape, but not football shape because he missed some preseason practice due to injury.
• Coach Pittman says that freshman TB Braylen Russell needs to be in the game early. Asked about Rashod Dubinion, Coach Pittman said he would play if he can get through practices, but has to do that first

• Had planned on playing Russell early, but game was going so well didn’t want to mess anything up.

• Arkansas played less than 50 people at Oklahoma State. Coach Pittman says the Razorbacks have to play more and the fact that they didn’t hurt Arkansas late
• Coach Pittman said that injured OL Patrick Kutas is not expected to play this week.
• DB Cuddie Robinson did not play Saturday at Oklahoma State suffering a stinger in pregame
• Center snap were too low and hard. Those snaps have to be better, especially when your QB is 6-7
• DL Landon Jackson is being double-teamed and chipped.
• Lauded WR Andrew Armstrong for his big day with 10 catches for 164 yards. He and QB Taylen Green have great connection.
• While Coach Pittman said he has second-guessed himself as most coaches due during his time as a head coach, he did not do so on going for it on 4th and 5 instead of kicking a field goal

Photo by John D. James

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