Sam Pittman Calls 2024 Loss to Ole Miss ‘Embarrassing’ as Hogs Head to Oxford
OXFORD — Sam Pittman isn’t mincing words. On Monday, the Arkansas head coach called last year’s 63-31 loss to Ole Miss “embarrassing,” a game that saw Jaxson Dart throw five touchdown passes to Jordan Watkins and the Rebels storm out to a 25-point lead before coasting the rest of the way.
Dart and Watkins are both in the NFL now, but the sting of that night lingers for the Hogs (2-0). As Pittman prepares his team to travel to Oxford to play Ole Miss (2-0, 1-0 SEC) this Saturday, he’s urging his players to use the humiliation as fuel.
“We should have enough things to motivate ourselves,” Pittman said.
“It should motivate the guys that were embarrassed, because it was an embarrassing night. A lot of their points last year came on big-play bombs. Jaxson Dart was on point and they protected well, but a lot of them were explosive plays. It’s hard to come back from that if they’re scoring so fast…But certainly, the way we got beat last year in that game, it has to have some motivation. The problem with that is, a bunch of our kids that are playing on our team weren’t here for it. But, it should motivate the guys that were embarrassed.”
Sam Pittman
Familiar Faces, Different Sidelines
While only four defenders from that 2024 game remain on Arkansas’ roster, three familiar names now wear red and blue. Offensive lineman Patrick Kutas, defensive back Jaylon Braxton, and tight end Luke Hasz all transferred to Ole Miss this offseason, though Braxton and Hasz have been slowed by injuries to start the year.
Pittman admitted that payback is on the minds of not just players, but staff as well.
Three defensive assistants who coached in last year’s game are still on staff. Pittman said he met with them Sunday night to emphasize the chance for redemption against Lane Kiffin.
Secondary Under the Spotlight
Arkansas has overhauled its defensive backfield, placing an emphasis on adding size and speed through the transfer portal. So far, the results have been promising.
Through two weeks, the Hogs rank 35th nationally against the pass, allowing just 149 yards per game. They intercepted two passes last Saturday against Arkansas State and limited quarterback Jaylen Raynor to 125 passing yards — a week after he had thrown for 345.
“Hopefully, we’re better. It’s hard to tell. I certainly feel like we are. But we haven’t been tested like we’re going to get tested Saturday. So we’ll find out more about us, but we’re very confident going in.”
Sam Pittman
Preparing for Simmons — and Chambliss
The Razorbacks’ test will come against a new-look Ole Miss offense led by first-year starting quarterback Austin Simmons. The redshirt sophomore has shown flashes of brilliance, but also growing pains, throwing four interceptions in his first two games.
Simmons passed for 235 yards in last week’s 30-23 road win over Kentucky before exiting late with an injury. Lane Kiffin later confirmed Simmons was cleared to return, but the Rebels opted to finish the game with backup quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
Simmons is no stranger to the Arkansas defense — he came off the bench in last year’s matchup, completing all three of his passes for 45 yards and a touchdown.
“Offensively, we certainly have to be prepared for two different type of offenses, whether Simmons is healthy or whether he’s not. They proved when they brought in their second-team quarterback they can move the football.”
Sam Pittman
What’s at Stake
Arkansas enters this SEC opener with a chance to show that last year’s meltdown was an aberration, not a reflection of who they are under Pittman. For Ole Miss, it’s an opportunity to keep momentum rolling and continue to assert itself as one of the league’s top contenders.
The kickoff at Vaught-Hemingway is set for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception. Email Evie at: Evie@TheRebelWalk.com
