Pittman 'all for' Arkansas State annual game if Governor, trustees want it
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders pushed all of her other duties aside on Sunday night to write a letter hoping to persuade University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University boards of trustees to make Arkansas versus Arkansas State an annual gridiron event at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
“This week marked a historic moment for our state, the city of Little Rock, and War Memorial Stadium as we hosted the first-ever meeting between the Razorbacks and the Red Wolves on the football field,” Sanders stated in the letter. “This special and long-overdue occasion united the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University in a way that fans across Arkansas have dreamed of for decades.
“As trustees of your respective institutions, you share in the pride and passion of your fan bases – and you hold the ability to ensure this game is not a one-time event, but the beginning of a lasting tradition.”
Arkansas head football coach Sam Pittman gave his vote of approval for whatever is decided, while also once again praising the fanbase for the energy they brought on Saturday.
“The atmosphere was electric,” Pittman said on Monday. “I know that there’s been things written about this, and here’s my stance: Whatever the governor and the athletic directors from both schools (decide) and all that, I’m all for it. I want that to be very, very clear – I’m all for it. There’s pros and cons over here and over here and over here. But if it makes the University of Arkansas and our fans happy, whatever that may be, as a head coach at Arkansas, I’m all for it.”
Whether or not the two cross-state teams would ever compete against one another was a scorching hot debate for years, mostly during the summer time when outlets were starving for content. The first-ever matchup was made official in 2021 and it came to fruition on Saturday afternoon with the Razorbacks cruising to a 56-14 victory before a sold out crowd of over 54,000.
“As Governor, a native of Little Rock, and a lifelong football fan, I am calling on you to make this historic matchup an annual event at War Memorial Stadium, in the heart of our state,” Huckabee Sanders continued. “Generations of Arkansans have come to this stadium to cheer for their teams and witness some of the greatest moments in Arkansas sports history – but never before for a game like this. Now is the time to change that. I urge you to work together to secure this tradition for the people of Arkansas. If I may be of any assistance in this effort, please do not hesitate to call on me.”
Sam Pittman previously had a different answer
Pittman mentioned during SEC Media Days back in July that he is open to playing Arkansas State past this season, but he wants it to be at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
“No… no, no,” Pittman adamantly said with a smile when asked if future games between the Hogs and Red Wolves would be played in Little Rock or Jonesboro. “I want to play them in Fayetteville. That’s what I want to do and you asked me what I want.”
The Razorbacks are not scheduled to play anymore football games at War Memorial Stadium past 2025.
“Right now, under contract, we are in our last year at Little Rock and whatever the Governor decides then that is what she decides. It would have to be there (Jonesboro) or here (Fayetteville) and I am not real interested in going over there (Jonesboro) and playing.”
While Pittman is just along for the ride in this decision now, he did state a week ago that he does not see in advantage for his Razorbacks playing the Red Wolves at War Memorial.
“I don’t know that there’s any advantage for us you know in all honesty to go to Little Rock and play Arkansas State,” Pittman said. “It’s closer for them. “I still think the history of the Hogs in our state (is so strong) because we’d take the team over to Little Rock. I don’t know what the advantage of it is other than the passion of the state for the Hogs. Going over there certainly continues that in the state of Arkansas.”
