stringtranslate.com

2020 Arkansas Razorbacks football team

The 2020 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Razorbacks played their home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The team competed as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and was led by first-year head coach Sam Pittman.[1]

In a season impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Razorbacks compiled a 3–7 record, all in conference play. This was the first season since War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock opened that the Razorbacks did not play at least one home game in that stadium. Arkansas was scheduled to play the annual Red/White spring game at War Memorial in April at the conclusion of spring practice, but the SEC did not approve those plans.

On October 3, Arkansas defeated No. 16 Mississippi State, 21–14, snapping a 20-game SEC losing streak.[2] It marked their first conference win since October 2017, their first win against a ranked team since November 2016, and their first road win against a ranked SEC team since November 2015.

After the regular season completed, the Razorbacks accepted a bid to the 2020 Texas Bowl. Slated to face TCU, the bowl was canceled when TCU had to withdraw due to COVID-19 issues within their program.[3]

Season

SEC Media Days

In the preseason media poll, Arkansas was predicted to finish in last place in the West Division.[4]

Preseason All-SEC teams

The Razorbacks had one player selected to the preseason all-SEC teams, released on September 17, 2020.

Offense

2nd team

Rakeem Boyd – RB

Recruits

The Razorbacks signed a total of 19 recruits from high school and junior college.

Arkansas also signed six transfers in the 2020 class.

Personnel

Roster

Coaching staff

Schedule

The Razorbacks' 2020 schedule consists of 5 home games and 5 away games. The Razorbacks will host SEC foes Georgia, Alabama, LSU for the Battle for the Golden Boot game, Tennessee, and Ole Miss, and will travel to face Florida, Mississippi State, Auburn, Texas A&M for the Southwest Classic game, and Missouri for the Battle Line Rivalry game.

Arkansas had games scheduled against Charleston Southern, Louisiana–Monroe, Nevada, and Notre Dame, which were all canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12][13]

In August 2020, the conference revealed the 10-game conference schedules that each team would be playing, consisting of the eight conference games already scheduled plus an additional two crossover games (one home and one away). After Arkansas was scheduled to play Georgia and Florida, the top two teams in the East Division in 2019, athletic director Hunter Yurachek stated that Arkansas had "the most challenging schedule in the history of college football."[14][15] The full 10-game schedule was released by the conference on August 17.[16]

On November 23, 2020, Arkansas' game against Missouri was postponed due to an increase in COVID-19 cases within the Arkansas program.[17] On November 27, 2020, the SEC revised the schedules of multiple teams over the next few weeks, a move that saw the Arkansas–Missouri contest moved to December 5 and the Arkansas–Alabama game moved to a date to be determined[18] and later scheduled for December 12.[19]

The Razorbacks were selected to participate in the 2020 Texas Bowl against TCU but the game was canceled two days beforehand because of COVID-19 concerns in the Horned Frogs' program.[20]

Game summaries

No. 4 Georgia

Game One – No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs (0–0) at Arkansas Razorbacks (0–0)

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, Arkansas

  • Date: Saturday, September 26, 2020
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C) • Wind: S 11 mph
  • Game attendance: 16,500
  • Referee: Lee Hendrick
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), D. J. Shockley (analyst) and Tera Talmadge (sideline)
  • Pregame line: Georgia −28 • Odds to win: Georgia 91.8% • Game summary: ESPN

At No. 16 Mississippi State

Game Two – Arkansas Razorbacks (0–1) at No. 16 Mississippi State Bulldogs (1–0)

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, Mississippi

  • Date: Saturday, October 3, 2020
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C) • Wind: Calm
  • Game attendance: 13,564
  • Referee: Matt Loeffler
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (analyst), Tera Talmadge (sideline)
  • Pregame line: Mississippi State −17 • Odds to win: Mississippi State 74.9% • Game summary: ESPN

At No. 13 Auburn

Game Three – Arkansas Razorbacks (1–1) at No. 13 Auburn Tigers (1–1)

at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

  • Date: Saturday, October 10, 2020
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Rain • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: SE 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 17,490
  • Referee: Jason Autrey
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Lauren Sisler (sideline)
  • Pregame line: Auburn −13.5 • Odds to win: Auburn 89.1% • Game summary: ESPN

Ole Miss

Game Four – Ole Miss Rebels (1–2) at Arkansas Razorbacks (1–2)

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, Arkansas

  • Date: Saturday, October 17, 2020
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 69 °F (21 °C) • Wind: S 20 mph
  • Game attendance: 16,500
  • Referee: James Carter
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (analyst), Tera Talmadge (sideline)
  • Pregame line: Ole Miss −1 • Odds to win: Arkansas 57.5% • Game summary: ESPN

Game Five – Arkansas Razorbacks (2–2) at No. 8 Texas A&M Aggies (3–1)

at Kyle Field • College Station, Texas

  • Date: Saturday, October 31, 2020
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C) • Wind: SSE 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 27,114
  • Referee: Marc Curles
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Lauren Sisler (sideline)
  • Pregame line: Texas A&M −14.5 • Odds to win: Texas A&M 78.3% • Game summary: ESPN

Tennessee

Game Six – Tennessee Volunteers (2–3) at Arkansas Razorbacks (2–3)

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, Arkansas

  • Date: Saturday, November 7, 2020
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 62 °F (17 °C) • Wind: SE 6 mph
  • Game attendance: 16,500
  • Referee: Mark Loeffler
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline)
  • Pregame line: Tennessee −1.5 • Odds to win: Arkansas 52.7% • Game summary: ESPN

At No. 6 Florida

Game Seven – Arkansas Razorbacks (3–3) at No. 6 Florida Gators (4–1)

at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida

  • Date: Saturday, November 14, 2020
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 68 °F (20 °C) • Wind: NW 4 mph
  • Game attendance: 16,116
  • Referee: Steve Marlowe
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Dan Orlovsky (analyst), Allison Williams (sideline)
  • Pregame line: Florida −17 • Odds to win: Florida 90.8% • Game summary: ESPN

LSU

Game Eight – LSU Tigers (2–3) at Arkansas Razorbacks (3–4)

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, Arkansas

  • Date: Saturday, November 21, 2020
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 63 °F (17 °C) • Wind: N 2 mph
  • Game attendance: 16,500
  • Referee: Marc Curles
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Tera Talmadge (reporter)
  • Pregame line: LSU −1.5 • Odds to win: LSU 68.8% • Game summary: ESPN

At Missouri

Game Nine – Arkansas Razorbacks (3–5) vs. Missouri Tigers (4–3)

at Faurot Field • Columbia, Missouri

  • Date: Saturday, December 5, 2020
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 52 °F (11 °C) • Wind: W 3 mph
  • Game attendance: 11,738
  • Referee: Lee Hedrick
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), D. J. Shockley (analyst), Dawn Davenport (sideline)
  • Pregame line: Missouri −2.5 • Odds to win: Missouri 62.0%

No. 1 Alabama

Game Ten – No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (9–0) at Arkansas Razorbacks (3–6)

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, Arkansas

  • Date: Saturday, December 12, 2020
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 38 °F (3 °C) • Wind: SE 10 mph
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Dan Orlovsky (analyst), Kris Budden (sideline)
  • Pregame line: Alabama −28.5 • Odds to win: Alabama 97.0%

Statistics

Team

Scores by quarter

Rankings

*Poll not released week 1.

Players drafted into the NFL

Notes

  1. ^ Capacity reduced to 16,500 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

References

  1. ^ "Welcome Coach Pittman". Arkansas Razorbacks. December 8, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  2. ^ "Arkansas upends No. 16 Mississippi State, 21–14". al.com. October 4, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  3. ^ Fornelli, Tom; Kercheval, Ben (December 29, 2020). "2020 Texas Bowl canceled as COVID-19 outbreak at TCU forces it to pull out vs. Arkansas". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  4. ^ "Preseason SEC media poll, All-SEC Team announced". SECSports.com. Southeastern Conference. September 23, 2020.
  5. ^ "Florida QB Feleipe Franks Transfers to Arkansas". SI.com. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  6. ^ "Former OU linebacker Draper eager to get to Arkansas". wholehogsports.com. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  7. ^ "Ex-Clemson four-star defensive lineman Xavier Kelly announces Arkansas as transfer destination". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  8. ^ "Moving on up: Arkansas lands transfer defensive back Jerry Jacobs from Arkansas State". Saturday Down South. January 10, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  9. ^ "Arkansas Adds Grad Transfer Kicker AJ Reed from Duke". KNWA FOX24. February 7, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  10. ^ "Former Michigan punter George Caratan transferring to Arkansas". HawgSports.com. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  11. ^ "2020 Football Coaching Staff". arkansasrazorbacks.com. arkansasrazorbacks. January 23, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  12. ^ Talty, John (July 30, 2020). "SEC moves to conference-only 2020 schedule, pushes back start of season". AL.com. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  13. ^ Dellenger, Ross. "Sources: SEC Adopts Conference-Only Schedule With Sept. 26 Start". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  14. ^ Olson, Andrew (August 7, 2020). "Arkansas AD: We now have the toughest schedule in history of college football". Saturday Down South. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  15. ^ Dellenger, Ross (August 7, 2020). "SEC's New Schedule: Winners, Losers and... Mizzou". si.com. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  16. ^ "Bama-UGA on Oct. 17 headlines full SEC schedule". ESPN.com. August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  17. ^ "Arkansas at Missouri postponed, SEC reschedules games for Nov. 28". Arkansas Razorbacks. November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  18. ^ "Razorbacks to travel to Missouri Dec. 5, Bama game TBA". Arkansas Razorbacks. November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  19. ^ "SEC Announces Football Schedule for December 12 and 19". www.secsports.com. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  20. ^ "2020 Texas Bowl canceled as COVID-19 outbreak at TCU forces it to pull out vs. Arkansas".
  21. ^ "Georgia vs. Arkansas – Game Summary – September 26, 2020 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  22. ^ "Arkansas vs. Mississippi State – Game Summary – October 3, 2020 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  23. ^ "Arkansas vs. Auburn – Game Summary – October 10, 2020 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  24. ^ "Ole Miss vs. Arkansas – Game Summary – October 17, 2020 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  25. ^ "Arkansas vs. Texas A&M – Game Summary – October 31, 2020 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  26. ^ "Tennessee vs. Arkansas – Game Summary – November 7, 2020 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  27. ^ "Arkansas vs. Florida – Game Summary – November 14, 2020 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  28. ^ "LSU vs. Arkansas – Game Summary – November 21, 2020 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  29. ^ "Arkansas vs. Missouri – Game Summary – December 5, 2020 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  30. ^ "Alabama vs. Arkansas – Game Summary – December 12, 2020 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.