'Problems' on defense haunted Arkansas in loss to Ole Miss

image-1200x630-96 — Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) runs the ball as Arkansas Razorback defensive lineman Justus Boone (0) attempts to make the tackle during the third quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Photo Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Arkansas head football coach Sam Pittman wasted no time in singling out how disappointing his defense was in the Razorbacks’ 41-35 SEC opening loss to Ole Miss at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday night that overshadowed an admirable offensive performance.

“Our defense couldn’t do anything in the first half, especially most of the game,” Pittman said. “And we got problems there. We’ve got to get them fixed, but the offense kept us in the game, and then the defense got a three-and-out, and we had a chance to win at the end.”

The Razorbacks (2-1, 0-1 SEC) put up 526 yards of total offense to Ole Miss’ 475, including outrushing the Rebels (3-0, 2-0 SEC) 221 to 118 and it was not enough.

Arkansas second-year quarterback Taylen Green was the first signal caller in program history to pass for more than 300 yards and rush for more than 100 yards in a game, but the Razorbacks offense registered only seven points in the second half.

Lack of execution by the defense has been referenced more than once dating back to fall camp. Senior linebacker and team captain Xavian Sorey Jr. stated that was a primary reason for Saturday’s defensive collapse.

“I would say it’s more execution and things like that,” Sorey said of the struggles. “I don’t know exactly what it is because we haven’t watched the film yet. So as we go (into) Monday and watch the film and things like that, we don’t know exactly what the problems were.  But just coming right out of the game, I would say just bad execution.”

Arkansas made backup quarterback appear immortal

The biggest question coming into the 72nd all-time matchup between Arkansas and Ole Miss was whether or not Austin Simmons would remain the starter for the Rebels or Division II transfer Trinidad Chambliss would get his first start at the DI level.

Simmons suffered an ankle injury that ultimately knocked him out of the Rebels’ 30-23 win over Kentucky last week, but there was still optimism he would start, or at least play, against the Hogs. Chambliss earned the start, but a limping Simmons capped a touchdown drive for the Rebels in the second quarter while Chambliss was tending to a brief thumb setback on his throwing hand.

Chambliss returned to the game and put together a heroic performance, completing 21 of 29 passes – including his first eight attempts – for 353 yards and a touchdown while adding 62 yards and two scores on the ground.

“To be honest with you, I probably expected him not to be listed,” Pittman said regarding Simmons and this week’s SEC Student Athlete Availability Report. “We had prepared for both guys. And to be honest with you, they do the same thing with both guys. So, one’s right-handed, one’s left. But we had prepared for their offense, which they run with either guy.

“Obviously, when Simmons came in, he couldn’t run, you know, but he certainly threw a touchdown on us. So, no, I didn’t pay much stock in the injury report, because I figured they’d play whoever they wanted to, and we were prepared for, we prepared for either one of them.”

The Razorbacks were in good position to stop the Rebels at times, but did not finish plays.

“I don’t think it was very good, did you?,” Pittman said regarding the multiple missed tackles by the Razorbacks. “I thought it was horrible. You know, so… We’ve got a lot of work to do. That’s how it is, but we’ve got good kids and they’ll get better, but we’ve got to do a better job of getting them ready… but your question is valid. We didn’t get them on the ground you know, with any space much at all.”

The record is what it is

With Arkansas’ loss to Ole Miss, Pittman is now 7-18 in one-score games in six years as Arkansas’ head coach. He did not have much interest in addressing that statistic.

“Yeah, I knew that was coming,” Pittman stated regarding the very reasonable mention. “I don’t know what to do with it. Tell me what to do.”

With the loss to the Rebels marking the first blemish on the Hogs’ 2025 resume, their focus now shifts to heading back across the Mississippi River next week to take on 3-0 Memphis.

“I don’t know,” Pittman answered when asked how the team will learn from the Ole Miss loss. “They’re hurt, which is a good thing. It means something to them, which is a good thing. When you have that, they’ll go back to work and they’ll do a good job with that.”