Arkansas’ defense steadies after shaky start before shutting down Alabama A&M

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas coach Sam Pittman acknowledged the defensive struggles that surfaced immediately in the season opener Saturday at Razorback Stadium. His Razorbacks allowed Alabama A&M to march 75 yards for a touchdown on the game’s opening possession before correcting mistakes and pulling away for a 52-7 victory.

“That first drive, we didn’t know what we were doing,” Pittman said. “It was nasty, it was terrible.”

The Bulldogs’ early success exposed lapses in alignment and tackling. Alabama A&M strung together seven plays capped by a 23-yard scoring pass to take a brief lead. It was the type of drive Pittman had cautioned against during preseason practices, when consistency and discipline on defense were frequent talking points.

Arkansas responded quickly. The offense answered with a scoring drive of its own, and the defense adjusted to close down running lanes and force pressure on the quarterback. From that point forward, Alabama A&M’s offense failed to find rhythm, and the Razorbacks controlled the line of scrimmage.

Pittman said the turnaround stemmed from communication among the defensive front and secondary after the opening sequence.

“Once we got everybody on the same page, we started playing the way we’re capable of,” he said. “We just needed to settle in.”

The Razorbacks’ offense capitalized on the improved defensive effort, creating separation on the scoreboard by halftime. Arkansas rotated personnel throughout the second half, building depth in the opener while maintaining control. The defense held Alabama A&M scoreless after the first drive, limiting rushing gains and forcing multiple three-and-outs.

For Pittman, the lopsided margin was less significant than the way his team handled early adversity. “We could’ve gone one of two ways after that first possession,” he said. “I was pleased that the guys locked in and got back to what we’ve been working on.”

The 52-7 final marked Arkansas’ second consecutive season-opening win under Pittman. Last year the Razorbacks began with a decisive result against Western Carolina before encountering difficulties later in the schedule. Pittman emphasized that maintaining focus will be essential as the competition level increases.

While the defensive start drew most of the attention, the performance overall gave the Razorbacks opportunities to evaluate younger players and experiment with rotations. Pittman said the opener offered lessons that could prove valuable as the team moves into September.

“You learn a lot more about yourself when things don’t go right,” he said. “That first drive is going to be a good teaching moment.”

The Razorbacks next turn their attention to upcoming nonconference matchups before beginning Southeastern Conference play. The coaching staff expects film from the Alabama A&M game to highlight both areas of concern and strengths to build on.

Pittman repeated his primary takeaway was the team’s ability to correct mistakes quickly and execute for the remainder of the game.

“Our fans want to see a strong defense, and so do we,” Pittman said. “After that rough start, we showed we can adjust. Now the challenge is doing it from the first snap.”

Arkansas’ win provided a positive opening chapter to the 2025 campaign, though Pittman stressed that consistency will determine whether the season meets expectations.

“It’s a long year,” he said. “We’ll celebrate this one tonight, then we’ve got to get right back to work.”

The Razorbacks’ ability to respond after a poor start stood out to players as well. Defensive leaders in the locker room echoed Pittman’s message that composure and accountability turned the game around. The unit allowed just over 200 total yards after the first series, reflecting sharper execution.

Arkansas’ offense benefited from the defense’s adjustments, consistently working with short fields and building rhythm. The 52 points tied one of the program’s highest season-opening outputs in recent years, a statistic that mattered less to Pittman than the defensive recovery.

“Points are great, but it’s about playing complementary football,” he said. “When the defense got going, it helped everything else fall into place.”

The opening win sets the stage for tougher tests ahead. For Pittman and his staff, the focus this week will be correcting the breakdowns that allowed Alabama A&M to strike first. Still, the response offered encouragement.

“We’ve got things to fix,” Pittman said. “But I’d rather fix them after a win than the other way around.”

Three Takeaways from Arkansas’ Win

1. Slow start highlights defensive concerns.
The opening drive exposed communication issues and tackling breakdowns that Pittman has emphasized since preseason camp. Allowing an FCS opponent to march 75 yards was a concern, and SEC opponents will be less forgiving. The Razorbacks corrected the issues Saturday, but Pittman said consistency must improve immediately.

2. Adjustments show resilience.
Arkansas did not panic after falling behind 7-0. The defense responded with pressure on the quarterback, improved alignment, and sharper tackling. The ability to regroup quickly impressed Pittman and offered a positive sign for the weeks ahead.

3. Depth gets early work.
With the outcome in hand by halftime, Arkansas rotated personnel freely. That allowed younger players to see the field in live action. Pittman has said developing depth is crucial in the SEC, and the opener provided a chance to evaluate more than just the starters.