Quincy Rhodes Jr. focused on task at hand against Notre Dame
The Arkansas Razorbacks (2-2, 0-1 SEC) are in a two-game skid, but heading into the matchup with No. 22 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-2), Quincy Rhodes Jr. isn’t paying attention to the logo.
“Really just focus on the task at hand,” Rhodes said Tuesday. “Like our coach said, we’re not worried about the logo. Anybody could be beat. So again, people like Stephen (Dix Jr.) and the rest of my teammates, we just come in with our heads down, ready to focus, execute the installments and the new things we get weekly and just ready to put on a show for the fans.”
Rhodes, a North Little Rock alumnus, has put up gaudy numbers to start the season, despite a rocky performance by the defense overall. Through four games, he’s racked up 15 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and an SEC-leading five sacks.
For reference, former Arkansas defensive end Landon Jackson put up 6.5 sacks the entirety of last season. He was drafted in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
Because of Rhodes’ experience, he’s not going to surprise anyone on the Notre Dame offensive line. Irish head coach Marcus Freeman was high on what Rhodes, referring to him as “a load” during his weekly press conference on Monday.
Asked about the praise he got from Freeman, Rhodes said he doesn’t get caught up in the talk leading up to the game.
“I really don’t let all that stuff get to me,” Rhodes said. “I just try to show up for these guys and represent my name and the people around me. It’s not all about me, and it’s about my teammates. So I just try to come in and do my job and execute.”
Notre Dame offensive line provides opportunity to Rhodes
The Irish carry with them a strong brand and a resume of a championship contender based on their national title appearance last year, but the offensive line hasn’t been all that great in 2025.
Through three games (the Irish had a bye in Week 2), Notre Dame is tied for 70th in the nation in sacks allowed with an average of two per game, as they’ve given up six so far.
Freeman said he has full faith in his team up front, but it provides an opportunity for Rhodes to stack on even more sacks if he’s able to get to the quarterback in time. It’s not enough to just get to the quarterback, though. He’s got to bring him down.
“I think a lot of the things just like being a pass rusher in general, you just got to be relentless,” Rhodes said. “So coach (Travis Williams) and I have been emphasizing when you are on the field or money downs or just any passing down you just got to be a dog. You got to go in ears rearing back, just ready to work, because you never know what situation might bring.”
Hogs back at home for first time since Week 1
By the time the game rolls around on Saturday, it will have been nearly a month since the Razorbacks played at their home stadium in Fayetteville. After their Week 1 win over Alabama A&M, the Hogs played in Little Rock, then traveled across the Mississippi River to both Ole Miss and Memphis in back-to-back weeks.
Rhodes said he’s ready to go to work inside Razorback Stadium to try and will the team to victory against a Top 25 opponent.
“It’s nothing new, man,” Rhodes said. “We just come up to work and just do what we’re supposed to do. We come here to win. We never expect to lose, so just put our best foot forward and focus at the goal at task.”
The Razorbacks and Irish will face off in Fayetteville on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. and the game will air on ABC.
