Razorbacks seeking to avoid first 10-loss season
A disappointing season for the Arkansas Razorbacks hit a new low last week with a 52-6 loss to Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss.
The loss left the Razorbacks (2-9, 0-7 SEC) winless in conference play with just one game remaining on the schedule — another SEC road game Friday at Missouri.
The Razorbacks need a victory to match their 3-9 mark in 2013 for Arkansas’ worst record since the 1952 team went 2-8. A loss would leave the program at an unprecedented low — Arkansas has never lost 10 games in any of its previous 112 seasons.
First-year coach Chad Morris was clearly frustrated with the Razorbacks’ effort against Mississippi State.
“It was completely unacceptable,” he said in his postgame press conference. “Unacceptable in all areas. Unacceptable coaching, unacceptable playing, unacceptable effort. Not what we’re about. Not what this program’s going to be built on. Absolutely not accepted.”
Morris said the Razorbacks are facing a gut check.
“We’re going to find out,” he said.
Mississippi State dominated Arkansas in every phase of the game. The Bulldogs finished with 475 yards of total offense, compared with 219 for Arkansas — a total that included 287 yards rushing for Mississippi State.
The Razorbacks committed three turnovers and were penalized nine times for 85 yards.
“We had some opportunities, and we were unable to execute,” Morris said. “I think that’s the biggest thing, the lack of execution.”
Adding to Arkansas’ misery, Morris announced Monday that starting defensive backs Ryan Pulley and Kamren Curl will be suspended for Friday’s game at Missouri after they were seen socializing with members of Mississippi State’s spirit squad before last week’s game.
“They will not be here today or yesterday or any part of this week for unacceptable behavior, for actions that are completely unacceptable with what we’re about,” Morris said Monday.
Pulley is a junior cornerback who has been disciplined multiple times this season. Curl is a sophomore safety.
Morris would not address their future with the Arkansas program.
“They’re out this week,” he said. “We’ll discuss that next week.”
