Homegrown Hogs excited for first matchup with Arkansas State
The talk of the state is the Arkansas Razorbacks’ (1-0 0-0 SEC) first meeting with the Arkansas State Red Wolves (1-0, 0-0 SBC) this coming weekend.
Though neither team’s roster is littered with talent homegrown inside the Natural State, there are still some Hogs who are excited for the matchup.
Both right guard Kobe Branham (Fort Smith) and running back Braylen Russell (Benton) are Arkansas natives, and met with the media on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s contest.
“I’m just excited to get out there and play against some familiar faces I played with in high school, like Walker Davis and them,” Russell said. “So I’ll chat with them after the game. We’re excited to just go out there and be the first ones to play Arkansas State.”
On top of playing an in-state team, this will also be the second start that Branham will have under his belt. Last Saturday’s game marked the first start at Reynolds Razorback Stadium for the Southside product and just the second start of his young career.
“It was awesome, man, the fans really showed up,” Branham said. “The offense really worked together. It looked really good, all the work we put in during fall camp and it really showed.
The players on the sidelines are young guys compared to the fans who have longed for this Saturday’s matchup, and Branham said head coach Sam Pittman has been teaching the team the history surrounding the two programs.
” I would say he’s just talking about the history with it,” Branham said. “It’s never happened before and we’re the team that gets the opportunity to do it. And we need to take advantage of that and go out there and do what we’ve been working on all fall camp.”
On top of the new nature of Saturday’s matchup, there’s the looming question about the Razorbacks’ future at War Memorial Stadium. This is the last game currently scheduled to be played in Little Rock, and while Russell has played there before, this will be the first college action he’s experienced.
“Yeah, I’ve never been to that game at War Memorial either, but to be last one on the contract, it’s a blessing,” Russell said. “We thank God for it, and we’re ready to go out there and showcase on Saturday.”
The Razorbacks and Red Wolves will kick off from War Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 4 p.m. CT. The game will stream on ESPN+ and the SEC Network +.
