Lunney Led Hogs Walk Into a Buzzsaw in Death Valley; Lose 56-20

Well, that wasn’t too fun. I didn’t expect a win, and while Arkansas did look competent at times, it’s clearly gonna be a long haul for us to return to national relevance. The team came out inspired, getting some stops and forcing some punts, but the doors were blown off by the end of the first half. Coming as close as 7-6, there was a suspicion that perhaps a little magic could happen, but the door was quickly slammed shut, as the score ballooned to 28-6 to end the first half.

Making his first career start against number 1 LSU in Death Valley, K.J. Jefferson naturally struggled, as he had little time to accomplish anything. The highlight of the game came early, with Treylon Burks making an astounding catch on a jump ball that is sure to be replayed over and over on his career highlight reel. What a special athlete. Unfortunately, it was all for naught, as the Tigers are simply too good.

There’s not much to say about this game other than LSU is almost certainly going to be a playoff team, and Joe Burrow is almost certainly going to win the Heisman. The players did seem more prepared, but dumb mental mistakes kept setting the team back, as both Jefferson and Burks stopped short of the first down marker on several occasions. I blame one of those on freshman jitters, but multiple is an indictment of coaching. How Joe Craddock still has a job is beyond me, but he did himself no favors as I believe that’s ultimately on him.

On the other side of the ball, John Chavis continues to justify his 1.5 million dollar salary with what is soon to be the worst statistical defense in Arkansas history. That’s right, Hog fans: if the team gives up at least 181 yards and 17 points against Mizzou, it will officially be the worst defense in school history. We’ll be paying Chavis’ buyout for that, when he’s fired, by the way. I’m all aboard Yurachek’s “If you don’t perform well, that’s firing for cause” crusade, because the fact that Chavis will be paid to leave is disgusting.

One shining moment came with the entrance of walk-on quarterback Jack Lindsey, who became the team’s FIFTH quarterback of the year— a trademark sign that things are going great. He scored a couple of times, and looked generally competent. That’s something.

Barring a miracle against Missouri on Black Friday, the Hogs will turn in another 2-10 year. I can’t help but be angered at that, as this team could very well have already had 6 wins heading into that Missouri game. An offensive core of Rakeem Boyd, Treylon Burks, Trey Knox, Mike Woods, and Cheyenne O’Grady (until last week) could have and should have won the non-conference games, the Kentucky game, and one of the Mississippi games, but instead, we’re languishing in the gutter. Don’t let anyone tell you Chad Morris didn’t have enough time.

I’m ready for change, folks.

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