Arkansas’ losses to Auburn sting Sam Pittman more than most others
Beating Alabama takes a Herculean effort. But beating Auburn?
Arkansas coach Sam Pittman is 0-for-2 in his two seasons running the Hogs against Auburn. Matchup No. 3 is next week, after both teams come off their byes.
Two seasons ago the Razorbacks lost on a controversial end-of-game call that should have been a fumble. Instead, it was ruled an incomplete pass and the Tigers held on for a two-point. Arkansas ultimately finished 3-7 in the COVID-19-shortened season.
Last year the Hogs were the favored team as the game shifted back to Fayetteville. But Arkansas – much like this season – was beaten up. Auburn used a 10-0 fourth quarter to win by 15 points and send the home team to its third consecutive loss and make them 4-3.
Now the Razorbacks are 4-3 again, just having snapped a three-game skid with last week’s win over BYU, and Auburn lies in front.
“They’re a good football team,” Pittman said. “But we haven’t beat them since we’e been here and certainly that’s a driving force as well for us. We’ll see what happens.”
A victory would provide a path forward to a potential New Year’s bowl game, something last year’s team achieved, and won over Penn State. A loss wouldn’t start the signal fires burning, quite, but it would be a rough loss considering the drama Auburn has undergone this season.
Needless to say, motivaiton is high for Pittman and the crew.
“We haven’t beaten some teams since I’ve been here,” Pittman said. “They’re one of them. We’d like to change that if we can.”
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