As one might suspect, Arkansas’ 2022 football signees and 2023 recruiting targets were excited about the way the No. 21 Razorbacks downed Penn State 24-10 on Saturday in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
Arkansas (9-4) tripled its win total from the previous season and capped a banner turnaround in Sam Pittman's second season.
Razorbacks tight end signee Dax Courtney maybe best summed up a game that Penn State led 10-7 at halftime but Arkansas dominated in the second half.
“It was a great game. The first half was a bit entertaining, but we came out from halftime and put our feet on their throats and ended it,” Courtney said. “For this team to overcome all of the adversity of injuries and opting out, it just says a lot about the program and the guys that are running it.
"Super proud of this team and coaching staff.”
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Gardendale, Ala., defensive back Dallas Young, the latest of five Razorbacks 2023 commits, watched the game with his family.
“Me and my mom watched the whole game,” Young said. “Very proud of how the offense pounded it on them with the run game and the defense stepping up and making great plays up front, and in the back end after the missed coverage assignment.
"Overall, proud of the program and so glad I pick them.”
Arkansas 2022 defensive back signee Jaylen Lewis is one of 17 early enrollees the Razorbacks will welcome later this month.
“Arkansas' performance today was pretty good,” Lewis said. “We started on a rough patch, but came out the second half and we balled out on offense and defense. I love what the coaches are doing with the program. So glad I became a Hog.”
Maumelle offensive lineman Andrew Chamblee is one of five Arkansas 2022 signees or commits invited to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 8 in San Antonio.
“Started off slow, but I’m glad we found rhythm and got us another win,” Chamblee said. “Proud of what the team became, and great to say I will be playing for those coaches in a few weeks.”
Razorbacks offensive lineman signee Eli Henderson loved the way Arkansas ran the ball for 361 yards against Penn State.
“Offense ran the ball like crazy and imposed our will,” Henderson said. “As an O-lineman, I love to see it. Time for people to wake up.”
Greenland defensive lineman J.J. Hollingsworth, another 2022 signee and early enrollee, loved what took place after intermission.
“They came out to play today in the second half,” Hollingsworth said. “I know firsthand how hard they worked last week for this and I can’t wait to be a part of that next year. It’s a proud day to be a Razorback.”
That first-hand knowledge of practice came from Hollingsworth being able to get in a few practices with the Razorbacks, along with linebacker signee Kaden Henley of Shiloh Christian.
“They were really good. It gave me a chance to learn from some of the older guys and just get a taste of what it’s like to be in a padded practice,” Hollingsworth said.
Henley saw the bowl game as a “fun game to watch and a physically dominant performance.”
Henley, Jordan Crook of Duncanville, Texas, and Fayetteville’s Mani Powell are three Arkansas signees who will be early enrollees.
“These boys played hard and still believed they can win without key pieces to offense and defense and they made it happen,” noted Powell, who moved to Fayetteville after previously playing at Canton (Ohio) McKinley.
Temple, Texas, junior defensive back Naeten Mitchell is one of the Razorbacks’ top 2023 recruiting targets.
“Amazing game,” Mitchell said. “It was a hard-fought game. It just shows how much of an impact Coach Pittman and the staff have put into the players after all they have been through. To go win a bowl game versus a very good team is awesome.
"I am very excited."