10 things to know – Texas

On By Littum

The hunter Cornelius

The hunter Cornelius
15 November 2024

Arkansas, one win away from bowl eligibility for the fourth time in five seasons under head coach Sam Pittman, is set to host its third top-10 opponent of the year at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium when No. 3 Texas is coming to town. Kickoff between the Hogs and third-ranked Longhorns is scheduled for 7 p.m. 11 Saturday, November 16 on ABC.

1 – Arkansas is seeking multiple Top 10 wins in a season for the third time in school history and the first time since 1965, when the Hogs defeated No. 1 Texas (Oct. 16) and no. 9 Texas Tech (Nov. 20), both of which defeats came in Fayetteville.

2 – Saturday’s matchup will be the 80th meeting between the programs and the first conference matchup between Arkansas and Texas since 1991. The Longhorns hold a 56-23 all-time series lead over the Razorbacks. Arkansas has won the last two meetings with a 40-21 victory on September 11, 2021 and a 31-7 triumph on December 29, 2014 in the Texas Bowl.

3 – With another conference win, Arkansas would achieve a 4-4 or better mark in the SEC for just the third time in the last 13 seasons (since 2012) – 5-3 record in 2015 (under Bielema) and 4-4 record in 2021 ( under Pittman).

4 – LB Xavian Sorey Jr. leads Arkansas with 73 total tackles this season and has led the Razorbacks in tackles in the last two games with 13 vs. Ole Miss (Nov. 2) and 11 at Mississippi State (Oct. 26). Sorey also recorded 13 tackles at Oklahoma State (Sept. 7), both of which are individual single-game highs this season for Arkansas.

5 – TE Luke Hasz has recorded a touchdown reception in consecutive games in back-to-back seasons with two touchdown catches at Mississippi State (Oct. 26) followed by a touchdown catch against Ole Miss (Nov. 2). Before Hasz, the last Razorback tight end to record a touchdown reception in consecutive games was Cheyenne O’Grady in 2019. Hasz has been the highest-rated tight end among all FBS players in consecutive games, according to PFF weeks.

6 – DL Landon Jackson leads the Razorbacks in tackles for loss (6.5) and sacks (4.5) this season. Jackson also led Arkansas in both categories in 2023. Wayne Martin was the last Razorback to lead the Arkansas defense in tackles for loss and sacks outright in consecutive seasons in 1986-1988.

7 – Arkansas has had 184 plays of 10+ yards from scrimmage this season, which ranked first in the SEC through nine games. The Hogs recorded 168 plays of 10+ yards last season, ranking 13th in the SEC.

8 – With 55 receptions this season, WR Andrew Armstrong is just 11 catches away from having the second-most receptions by a Razorback in a single season with 66. Treylon Burks (2021) and Jarius Wright (2011) currently occupy the No. 2 in single-season receptions by a Razorback, while Cobi Hamilton (2012) holds the program record with 90.

9 – Texas enters the matchup ranked third in both polls, marking the first time Arkansas has hosted multiple top-five opponents in a season since 2020. The Razorbacks defeated former No. 4 Tennessee, 19-14 on Oct. 5 at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium.

10 – Saturday’s contest marks the third Arkansas game this season televised on ABC. It is the first time since 1981 that the Razorbacks have had three games televised on the network and just the fifth time in program history that Arkansas has had three games in a season on the network (1981, 1979, 1971, 1969).