Folks, I hope you were all able to breathe a sigh of relief after the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team finally managed to secure a W last weekend in their 56-30 victory at home against the Purdue Boilermakers. I would have said a “huge” sigh of relief, but the defense still looked questionable, and as the Irish head south to Fayetteville to take on a wildly desperate Arkansas Razorbacks squad (they collapsed last weekend in a loss to Memphis and their coach’s seat is SCORCHING), I’m not sure
anyone has full faith in this team to go down there and fully take care of business — especially the defense.
So, as the Irish prep to play the Razorbacks for the first time in these two programs’ histories, I reached out to Christina Long, Arkansas reporter for WholeHogSports.com. Christina very generously answered questions about Sam Pittman (and his “Slobbering Hog” statue), Taylen Green’s abilities as a QB, the Razorback defense, 30-50 feral hogs, Jimmy Johnson vs. Jerry Jones, how to pronounce Kansas correctly, and more. She covers basically everything you need to know for this weekend, especially if you’re making the trip to Fayetteville for the game (food/drink/sightseeing recs!).
So, let’s not waste any more breath on this introduction — time to dive into this Arkansas program and prepare ourselves for Saturday!
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1. After a 9-4 2021 season that had everyone talking about Sam Pittman as the next big thing in coaching considering the program he inherited and seemingly turned around in two years, he’s gone 20-22 in the 3+ seasons since and just picked up loss #2 of this season to Memphis.
How are Razorback fans feeling about Pittman as the head coach moving forward? Do you think he has what it takes to get Arkansas competing for the Playoff eventually, or is it time to start looking for the next guy?
Christina Long, Whole Hog Sports: Folks are pretty low on Sam Pittman and the team right now. I thought one of my coworkers put it really well this week when he said some losses feel like turning points, and the loss to Memphis was one that seems to have put anyone who was on the fence about whether it was time for a change off the fence and into the camp of “this isn’t it.”
This is a team that has played a lot of close games under Pittman. They have won very few of those, going 7-19 in one-score games under Pittman. It’s those kinds of painful losses, where you’re just a couple of plays away from having very different conversations, that have really been an issue. Arkansas’ two losses this year have been in games where they had a chance to win late and literally fumbled it away. It’s hard to feel optimism when those kinds of mistakes keep happening.
1a. Has his “Slobbering Hog” statue he had built at his house a few years ago bought him some extra-long goodwill from the Arkansas faithful? Should Irish coaches feeling some heat (e.g. defensive coordinator Chris Ash) consider erecting a “Slobbering Leprechaun” statue at their homes to win some favor?
Christina Long, Whole Hog Sports: The statue definitely used to be a frequent talking point. It’s unfortunate that the season is going the way it is because Pittman truly does love the University of Arkansas and the state of Arkansas. The statue is a physical representation of that.
A leprechaun statue could serve the dual purpose of proving just how About It you are AND scaring away the neighbors.
2. Along with Carson Beck (Miami) and Jayden Maiava (USC), Taylen Green is easily one of the best quarterbacks on the Irish schedule this season.
What does he do well, and is there anything he struggles with or any major ways Notre Dame could limit him or shut him down?
Christina Long, Whole Hog Sports: Green is such a weapon with his legs. Generally speaking, he has improved a lot this season in his decision-making in terms of when to keep and when to hand off. Against Ole Miss, Green became the first quarterback in program history to rush for over 100 yards and throw for over 300.
He’s still liable to make some bad decisions, though. He has a tendency to stare down his favorite receiver (this year, it’s O’Mega Blake) and just not see either A) other wide open guys or B) wide open guys from the other team waiting to intercept him. He also tends to take long sacks. It was a huge problem last season, and it came up again against Memphis when he took a 10-yard sack on third down that pushed Arkansas out of field goal range.
The offense is better around Green this season, but some of his old issues have reappeared early.
3. How has the Arkansas offensive line looked this season, and do you think they’ll have any issues blocking what’s been a mostly disappointing ND defensive front so far?
And if the line generally does their job, who are the names to know in terms of key Razorback skill position guys who could come up big on Saturday?
Christina Long, Whole Hog Sports: Pass protection was a huge problem last season. Green was getting sacked like crazy early. Eventually, even when he wasn’t in danger, he would rush decisions or take off in a bad spot and basically sack himself.
Arkansas made better pass protection a focus this offseason, and it’s paid off. The addition of left tackle Corey Robinson from Georgia Tech has been huge, as he was one of the nation’s highest-graded players in pass blocking last year and has remained so early this year. The Razorbacks haven’t graded out as well in run blocking, but between Green and the running backs, they’ve been able to run the ball effectively anyway.
Mike Washington is the running back to know. He has real explosive play potential. Braylen Russell is the No. 2 back and has been great in short yardage. A lot of fans wanted to see more of him in the second half against Memphis, as he had been running the ball well but only got one carry in the second half.
Blake is the go-to man at outside receiver, but keep an eye on CJ Brown on the outside and Raylen Sharpe in the slot. Tight ends Rohan Jones and Jaden Platt got involved as receivers in a big way last week. Jones scored on a 62-yard pass from Green and ran in a score on an end-around.
4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this Arkansas defense? What key players could cause some headaches for CJ Carr, Jeremiyah Love, and co. this weekend?
Christina Long, Whole Hog Sports: Tackling is a huge problem for this team. It was extremely puzzling against Memphis. There were plays that just looked like low effort, or some that just didn’t make sense. How are you going to let Memphis’ backup quarterback drag your 6-5, 387-pound defensive tackle several yards for a first down to seal the game?
Arkansas has struggled to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks, too, which has then caused problems for the secondary.
Keep an eye out for defensive end Quincy Rhodes. He has played really well in his first year as a starter and has been Arkansas’ most consistent defensive player. He leads the team with five sacks and seven tackles for loss.
5. FAN QUESTION:
Christina Long, Whole Hog Sports: If they don’t, they should.
Arkansas has played Kansas frequently in several sports over the last few years. We like to say it’s a battle for pronunciation supremacy every time.
6. My wife and I are in the midst of the Dallas Cowboys documentary on Netflix (America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys).
In the Jerry Jones vs. Jimmy Johnson feud, whom do most Razorback fans support and/or more proudly claim as a fellow Hawg? Do you guys love both of those old curmudgeons because of the title they brought you in ’64?
Christina Long, Whole Hog Sports: I would say Jerry is probably on their minds more often. He’s given a lot of money for a lot of facilities projects over the years. His name is on the “Jerry & Gene Jones Student-Athlete Success Center,” which houses academic support and the nutrition center, for example.
A lot of Arkansas fans are Cowboys fans, though, so I think they have a disdain for him as the owner of their team.
People definitely like Jimmy, and older fans wish Arkansas would have hired him before he went to Miami.
Jerry has done more for the university, so fans appreciate him for that, but I do think more people dislike Jerry than dislike Jimmy.
7. For Irish fans potentially unfamiliar with “Wooo Pig Sooie,” what is it and what’s the history behind it as an Arkansas tradition?
Also, would using that hog call help at all in a situation where 30-50 feral hogs run into my yard within 3-5 minutes while my small kids play? And finally, has Sam Pittman considered motivating his team by encouraging them to embody the unstoppable nature of 30-50 feral hogs out on the field?
Christina Long, Whole Hog Sports: “Wooo Pig Sooie” is how you Call the Hogs. I don’t know that anyone knows exactly when the chant started, but you will hear it a lot if you’re coming to the game. It comes from the idea of a farmer calling his pigs (hogs?) in to eat, I think. I would only use it in the presence of 30-50 feral hogs if you were trying to lure them to you and away from the small kids. It might be your last act, but it might work!
The funny part about the last part of your question is that’s pretty much exactly where the name Razorbacks comes from. Arkansas used to be the Cardinals, but in 1909, coach Hugo Bezdek said his football team had played like “a wild band of Razorback hogs” in a win over LSU. The next year, they formally changed the mascot to Razorbacks. So, basically, they embodied the unstoppable nature of 30-50 feral hogs.
If you are coming to Fayetteville for the game and would like to meet a single, not-feral hog, go to “HogTown” on Maple Street right outside the north side of the stadium. Tusk, the live mascot, hangs out in a trailer there until the team gets there (about 2 hours before the game) and you can feed him grapes. Get there early so you don’t miss him.
8. My parents and several of their friends are heading to Fayetteville for the game this weekend — what recommendations do you have for places to eat/drink, sights to see, things to do on a game weekend, etc.?
Christina Long, Whole Hog Sports: I love welcoming new people to Fayetteville. I grew up here, and it always makes me happy how pleasantly surprised visitors are by our town. I’m about to give you way more recommendations than you asked for. Most of these are in downtown Fayetteville:
My favorite brewery is Crisis Brewing Co., and Fossil Cove is a close second. If you want cocktails, try Maxine’s or Guisinger. For coffee, visit the world-renowned Onyx Coffee Lab (there are multiple locations in Northwest Arkansas). For breakfast, try Prelude Breakfast Bar or Farmer’s Table Cafe (both can be busy!). For burgers, hit up Hugo’s downtown. For Southern cooking and a TON of Razorback memorabilia, visit the Catfish Hole (this is where coaches do their weekly radio shows). Hammontree’s Grilled Cheese is also elite for lunch or dinner. Theo’s and Cheers at the OPO are a little more upscale options. Wright’s Barbecue (not downtown, but there are several locations in Northwest Arkansas) is the best BBQ.
Activity-wise, a walk around downtown (Dickson St., Block St. and the downtown square are the highlights) to shop around. There’s a great record store called Block Street Records and a labyrinthine bookstore called Dickson Street Books.
If you’re staying further north and/or want to venture outside of Fayetteville, visit downtown Bentonville. It’s super nice and has a ton of great restaurants and bars. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is also a great way to spend a day or part of a day. It’s free!
9. Alrighty, let’s get down to it — who wins, what’s the final score, and how does it happen?
Christina Long, Whole Hog Sports: I think Notre Dame wins a high-scoring game. Let’s call it 42-38.
I think both offenses overwhelm the other defense, but I think Arkansas blinks first and either has another costly turnover (maybe not a third consecutive game-ending one. Surely not. Right?) or some other bad mistake to get behind.
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Alright folks, I want to give a massive shout-out to Christina for taking the time to humor me and my interesting array of questions this week, especially all the times I asked about hog-related things.
I highly recommend you head over to Whole Hog Sports to check out all their awesome coverage of this Arkansas program, and definitely give the site and Christina some follows on Twitter — that’s how you’ll get the late-breaking inside scoop on the Hawgs leading up to, during, and after the game.
Otherwise, I think that’s it for this week, y’all — as always, GO IRISH, BEAT HAWGS!
