With the switch portal taking huge bites out of its offense and sure spots on the protection, Arkansas will flip to some contemporary faces to make key contributions Friday evening when it meets Texas Tech within the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn.
After going 6-6, a two-game enchancment over 2023, the Razorbacks have skilled some roster turbulence because the switch portal activated two weeks in the past. Amongst their huge losses on offense have been second-leading receiver Isaiah Sategna, heart Addison Nichols and guards Joshua Braun and Patrick Kutas.
As well as, main rusher Ja’Quinden Jackson (790 yards, 15 touchdowns) and high receiver Andrew Armstrong, who led the Southeastern Convention with 1,140 yards, opted out of the bowl recreation. The protection waved goodbye to security TJ Metcalf and linebacker Brad Spence.
Nonetheless, the remaining gamers do not intend to let the departures deter them from their job of sealing a successful season in entrance of what ought to be an enormous contingent of Arkansas followers that determine to make a comparatively quick journey into west Tennessee.
“Going 7-6 with a successful document can be good,” linebacker Stephen Dix stated. “On the finish of the day, we all know that we’re able to a lot extra … look again on the video games and the coaches confirmed us how small the margins was for our losses towards actually good groups.”
The Razorbacks determine to construct their assault round quarterback Taylen Inexperienced (2,812 passing yards, 13 touchdowns). The Boise State switch additionally rushed for 521 yards and 7 scores. Isaac TeSlaa (25 catches, 439 yards) is his high returning receiver for the bowl recreation.
Texas Tech’s departures since ending an 8-4 common season are impactful if not fairly as quite a few. The chief gap on the depth chart is at quarterback as Behren Morton (shoulder surgical procedure) and his 3,335 yards and 27 TD passes might be on the sidelines.
As well as, main receiver Josh Kelly (89 catches, 1,023 yards) opted out in favor of getting an early soar on getting ready for a possible NFL profession. The standing of main rusher Tahj Brooks, who compiled 1,505 speeding yards and 17 touchdowns, might be a game-time resolution, based on coach Joey McGuire.
Brooks has been at each follow main as much as the bowl however has contemplated opting out. McGuire stated different gamers who’ve entered the portal are being allowed to play within the bowl since they’ve completed so much for this system this 12 months.
“If he does play,” McGuire stated of Brooks, “in fact that is going to be unimaginable. If he does not, then we will see (freshman operating backs) J’Koby Williams and Cam Dickey.”
Freshman Will Hammond, who in restricted obligation has accomplished 15 of 23 passes for 191 yards with a landing, will begin at quarterback. He can have the companies of second-leading receiver Caleb Douglas, who caught a career-high 55 passes for 762 yards and 6 scores.
Arkansas is listed as a two-point favourite regardless of the Purple Raiders boasting wins over CFP quarterfinalist Arizona State and Iowa State. The Razorbacks’ greatest win got here in October towards Tennessee, which reached the CFP however misplaced to Ohio State within the first spherical.
Arkansas owns a 29-8 benefit within the sequence of former Southwest Convention rivals, though Texas Tech received the final assembly 35-24 in 2015.
–Subject Stage Media
