Greatest Moments of the Sam Pittman Era

For many fans, the Sam Pittman era at Arkansas has been a mixed bag of emotions. From the awkward 2020 season with only 10 conference games, to the exciting 9-4 campaign in 2021, and the underwhelming 4-8 finish in 2023, it’s been a roller coaster. No matter where you stand on the current state of the program, there are great moments from Pittman’s tenure that no one can deny.

Mississippi State — Oct. 3, 2020

On Oct. 3, 2020, Sam Pittman and the Hogs went into Starkville and took down Mississippi State 21-14. From an outsider’s perspective, this game may not have seemed like much, but for Arkansas fans, it marked the end of the SEC losing streak dating back to Nov. 11, 2017. The win ended years of ridicule and frustration, restoring a sense of pride and respect to the Razorback program once again.

No. 15 Texas — Sept. 11, 2021

In 2021, the Hogs had a new swagger after shedding their reputation as the SEC’s punching bag. With a few conference wins under their belt from the previous year, Arkansas entered the season as a reenergized team. When old Southwest Conference rival Texas rolled into Fayetteville, the Hogs delivered a dominant performance, beating the Longhorns 40-21 in a game that wasn’t as close as the score suggested. Arkansas rushed for 333 yards and piled up 471 total yards in a convincing win that set the tone for the season.

No. 7 Texas A&M — Sept. 25, 2021

Two weeks after taking down Texas, the Hogs met another former SWC foe in Texas A&M at AT&T Stadium. The Aggies entered ranked No. 7, while the Hogs were No. 16. KJ Jefferson and Treylon Burks put on a show, Jefferson passed for 212 yards and two touchdowns, while Burks hauled in 167 receiving yards, including an 85-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Arkansas beat the Aggies 20-10 and climbed to No. 8 in the rankings following their 4-0 start.

No. 14 Ole Miss — Nov. 19, 2022

The 2022 season started with a promising 3-0 run before a close loss to Texas A&M and some back-and-forth results. After one-possession losses to Liberty and LSU, No. 14 Ole Miss came into Fayetteville, and the Razorback rushing attack took over. Arkansas ran for 335 yards, with Raheim Sanders rushing for 232 yards and three touchdowns. The Hogs beat the Rebels 42-27, clinching bowl eligibility. Ole Miss scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, but the damage was already done.

Florida — Nov. 4, 2023

The 2023 season is one most Razorback fans would like to forget. Arkansas went 4-8, with five one-possession losses. But the bright spot came in Gainesville. On Nov. 4, the Hogs, riding a six-game losing streak and fresh off firing offensive coordinator Dan Enos, traveled to Florida, a place they had never won. KJ Jefferson threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns and added 92 rushing yards. He connected with Tyrone Broden for the game-winning score in overtime, giving Arkansas its first SEC win of the season and its first-ever win in The Swamp.

No. 4 Tennessee — Oct. 5, 2024

Heading into the 2024 season, many fans were questioning the coaching staff, until news broke that former head coach Bobby Petrino would return as offensive coordinator. Once again, it was a season of highs and lows. But when No. 4 Tennessee came to Fayetteville, the Hogs put up a fight. Arkansas led 3-0 at halftime. In the third quarter, Tennessee scored two touchdowns, while the Hogs managed one, entering the fourth trailing 14-10. A field goal brought the deficit to one, and with starting quarterback Taylen Green injured, backup Malachi Singleton became the hero, scrambling for an 11-yard touchdown to put Arkansas ahead 19-14. The Razorback defense stood tall, holding off the Vols to secure the program’s first win over a top five team in Razorback Stadium since 1999.

Sam Pittman’s Tenure

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on Sam Pittman and his time at Arkansas, but there’s no denying that his tenure has produced moments that will live on in Razorback history. From snapping the SEC losing streak to taking down top-ranked opponents in front of a roaring Fayetteville crowd, Pittman has delivered memories that fans won’t soon forget. His future with the program remains uncertain, but regardless of what happens next, these highlights will remain a lasting part of the Pittman era.