The 22nd-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish travel down to Fayetteville, Arkansas to take on the Razorbacks for the first time in program history. The Irish, led by head coach Marcus Freeman, haven't gotten off to the start they wanted but have the opportunity to kickstart a win streak on the road. Arkansas, led by head coach Sam Pittman, is currently sitting at 2-2 so far this season and have yet to walk away with a victory against an opponent with similar or equal talent. In back to back games, they've lost on the road to Ole Miss and Memphis but return home to take on the Irish.
Location: Razorback Stadium (Fayetteville, Arkansas)
Date: Saturday - September 27
Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV: ABC
Line: Notre Dame -5.5; O/U 64.5
Let’s kick off our preview of the matchup with an overview look at the Arkansas Razorbacks.
HEAD COACH - Sam Pittman
Record at Arkansas: 32-33 (6th season)
Pittman is headed into his 6th season at the helm for the Razorbacks. He took over as head coach in 2020 leading them to a 3-7 record. The following season, he posted a 9-4 overall record but hasn't eclipsed the nine-win mark again. The Razorbacks went 7-6 in 2022, 4-8 in 2023 and had a lack-luster 7-6 season in 2024. This season, it's been more of the same. The Razorbacks had wins over Alabama A&M and Arkansas State but lost in back to back weeks against Ole Miss and Memphis. In three post season appearances, he is 3-0 with a win in the Outback Bowl in 2021 and wins in the Liberty Bowl in 2022 and 2024. Pittman is in need of another signature win to go along with Arkansas' upset win against Tennessee at home in 2024 and their upset win against Ole Miss in 2022.
Offensive Coordinator: Bobby Petrino (2nd season)
Defensive Coordinator: Travis Williams (3rd season)
ARKANSAS 2025 SCHEDULE
2025 STATISTICAL OVERVIEW
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Rushing: QB Taylen Green - 44 att., 360 yards, 8.2 YPC, 2 TD; RB Mike Washington Jr. (New Mexico St.) - 46 att., 330 yards, 7.2 YPC, 4 TD; RB Braylen Russell - 29 att., 150 yards, 5.2 YPC, 3 TD; RB Rodney Hill - 7 att., 37 yards, 5.3 YPC
Passing: QB Taylen Green - 81-126, 64.3%, 1,191 yards, 9.5 YPA, 12 TD, 4 INT, 168.8 Rating; QB KJ Jackson - 5-7, 71.4%, 106 yards, 15.1 YPA, 1 TD, 245.8 Rating
Receiving: WR O'Mega Blake (Charlotte) - 24 rec., 326 yards, 13.6 YPC, 3 TD; TE Rohan Jones (Montana St.) - 5 rec., 197 yards, 39.4 YPC, 2 TD; WR Jalen Brown (Florida St.) - 11 rec., 156 yards, 14.2 YPC, 2 TD; TE Jaden Platt (Texas A&M) - 8 rec., 143 yards, 17.9 YPC; WR CJ Brown - 11 rec., 142 yards, 12.9 YPC, 2 TD; WR Raylen Sharpe (Fresno St.) - 9 rec., 131 yards, 14.6 YPC, 2 TD; RB Mike Washington Jr. (New Mexico St.) - 6 rec., 93 yards, 15.5 YPC, 1 TD
Tackles: LB Xavien Sorey Jr. - 29; LB Stephen Dix Jr. - 26; CB Julian Neal (Fresno St.) - 22; S Larry Worth III - 19; S Caleb Wooden (Auburn) - 16; DE Quincy Rhodes Jr. - 15; DE Phillip Lee (Troy) - 15
Tackles For Loss: DE Quincy Rhodes Jr. - 7.0; DE Phillip Lee (Troy) - 2.5; LB Bradley Shaw - 2.5; DT Ian Geffrard - 2.5; LB Xavien Sorey Jr. - 2.0
Interceptions: CB Julian Neal (Fresno St.) - 2; LB Xavien Sorey Jr. - 1; S Miguel Mitchell - 1
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