Taylen Inexperienced, Arkansas take goal at Alabama A&M

Arkansas begins a crucial season for coach Sam Pittman when the Razorbacks meet Alabama A&M on Saturday afternoon at Fayetteville, Ark.

Arkansas hasn’t had a profitable mark in Southeastern Convention play in 5 seasons beneath Pittman, a former Georgia assistant coach. So coming off final yr’s 7-6 general file, the Razorbacks need to make strides.

“Throughout camp, I believe we have performed every little thing as a workers that we wished to get completed,” Pittman stated. “Annually, you have to get higher.”

The Alabama A&M program is at a distinct stage with the Soccer Championship Subdivision group beneath first-year coach Sam Shade. The Bulldogs have been 6-6 final season.

This would be the first-ever assembly between the groups.

Arkansas quarterback Taylen Inexperienced is making an attempt to construct on the 2024 season wherein he threw for 3,154 yards and totaled 23 complete touchdowns (15 passing, eight speeding). Inexperienced joins Oklahoma’s John Mateer because the lone energetic QBs within the nation to have thrown for greater than 3,000 yards and rushed for greater than 600 yards final yr.

Inexperienced ought to have loads of weapons with the Razorbacks of their second season since former Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino returned to the group as offensive coordinator.

“We’re studying that we’ve got a fairly dang good group of wideouts,” Pittman stated.

One of many compelling storylines includes sophomore receiver Monte Harrison, a former main league baseball participant who turned 30 earlier this month. He made two catches in his first season with the Razorbacks.

“He saved working and now he is a type of guys you need to go to,” Pittman stated. “He actually is a man you need to go to.”

Shade spent the previous three seasons at Division II Miles earlier than he was employed at Alabama A&M.

Quarterback Cornelious Brown IV will stay the starter for the Bulldogs, giving the brand new workers a degree of consolation.

“He has performed a lot soccer so it is arduous for different guys behind him to push to be in that spot proper now as a result of he has simply performed a lot ball,” Shade stated. “We’re form of leaning on that have.”

Quarterback JD Davis II, a switch from Western Michigan, can be one of many backups.

“He has made a variety of enchancment from spring ball up till now,” Shade stated. “He desires to be on the market.”

Alabama A&M receiver Duke Miller has missed preseason apply time with a boot on his foot, so his standing is murky. Shade stated he appreciated how the speeding assault clicked for the Bulldogs throughout a few of their scrimmage work late within the preseason.

–Subject Stage Media