Sam Pittman Effect: Arkansas OL tops SEC in run blocking
The Sam Pittman Effect is real in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The former Georgia offensive line coach-turned-Razorback head coach has the No. 1 run-blocking unit in the SEC after three weeks of play, according to ProFootballFocus.
Pittman and the Razorbacks returned all five starters on the offensive line this season, and it’s clearly paying dividends. Arkansas is the only FBS team with five different 100-yard rushers through the first three weeks of the season.
Running backs Trelon Smith and Dominique Johnson have each scored a touchdown in all three games. It’s the first time Arkansas has had a pair of players with a touchdown in three-straight games since 2003.
The Razorbacks rushing offense ranks eighth in the country, averaging 282 yards on the ground per game. The Hogs are also in the top 10 for rushing touchdowns and top 15 in yards per carry.
It’s not just the running backs finding success. Starting quarterback K.J. Jefferson also ranks in the top 10 amongst QBs for rushing yardage.
After a week-two win over a ranked Texas team, Arkansas entered the AP Top 25 rankings for the first time since 2016. Heading into a ranked-on-ranked matchup in AT&T Stadium this weekend, the 3-0 Hogs are No. 16 in the nation.
Arkansas OL in good hands with Pittman, Kennedy
The offensive line is a major component of the Hogs’ success thus far, despite going through an off-season coaching change. Offensive line coach Brad Davis left Arkansas after one year to take the same job at LSU in his home state of Louisiana.
Head coach Sam Pittman turned to his newly hired tight ends coach Cody Kennedy to take over the OL unit. Kennedy had never coached tight ends before and was considered the OL coach-in-waiting even before Davis left, making the move a no-brainer.
Kennedy was an offensive lineman at Southeastern Louisiana before eventually becoming a graduate assistant for Pittman at Georgia.
Hogs face Aggies in Dallas
The Arkansas Razorbacks jump into the meat of the 2021 schedule on Saturday with their SEC opener versus No. 7 Texas A&M.
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher opened up this week about trying to hire Sam Pittman to join him in College Station on his initial staff.
“I think Sam has not only turned into being a great head football coach, he was a great offensive line coach,” Fisher said. “He was a guy you’re always interested in.
“You talk to guys who have the possibility of being on your staff, future coaches and things. Thought he was outstanding. Great guy, great person. I love being around Sam.”
The Hogs have two starting offensive linemen questionable for the 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Center Ricky Stromberg and right tackle Dalton Wagner are banged up after the win over Georgia Southern.
If the two Razorbacks are unavailable, Pittman will slot in senior center Ty Clary for Stromberg and shuffle the rest of the unit to keep the best five on the field.