A big game lies on two for new head coach Steve Sarkisian and No. 15 ranked Texas football this weekend against the longtime rival Arkansas Razorbacks on the road on the night of Sep. 11. Arkansas has not faced Texas since the 2014 season, in a game that the men in burnt orange (at the time) would want back.
Since the last time that the Longhorns faced Arkansas on the gridiron, Texas has gone through two head coaches for the football program. Texas is now under new head coach Steve Sarkisian, looking to win two games in a row to start out his first regular season on the Forty Acres.
And we’re getting to hear some of the final words from the Longhorns and Razorbacks players in media availability this week ahead of this critical matchup in Fayetteville on the night of Sep. 11. It was interesting to hear what one of the more experienced Arkansas linebackers had to say this week about facing star sophomore Texas running back Bijan Robinson.
Redshirt senior linebacker Hayden Henry had a lot of respect to pay Robinson this week. He stated that Bijan will “run you over” with the level of physicality he plays with. It sounds like the Hogs are preparing specifically for what Bijan brings to the table this weekend.
Arkansas LB Hayden Henry showing respect for Texas football RB Bijan Robinson
Henry also mentioned that Bijan is “really fast” and that he runs well really “downhill”.
It’s clear how much Arkansas will be paying attention to Bijan in this key matchup this weekend. And Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom would be foolish not to prepare to the utmost degree for facing a running back as special as Bijan.
Henry himself is starting in place of the suspended senior linebacker Bumper Pool at least in the first half against Texas. That will put him in a key role with the responsibility to help the defensive front stop this powerful Texas ground game.
Arkansas will get Pool back in the second half against the Longhorns, as he serves the rest of his suspension from a targeting penalty in the second half of the Hogs’ season-opening win over the Rice Owls.
Meanwhile, Bijan is coming off a solid Week 1 performance for Sark and the Longhorns where he registered more than 170 total yards from scrimmage and two total touchdowns. He should be a focal point of the offense once again in Week 2.
Texas will take the record of 1-0 (0-0 Big 12) following the 38-18 season-opening win over Louisiana into this meeting with the Hogs. This matchup between Texas and Arkansas is set to kickoff at 6 p.m. CT on Sep. 11.