Turnover Focus: Sam Pittman Stresses Ball Security as Key to Arkansas’ 2025 Success
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman is making it clear: winning the turnover battle will be non-negotiable for the Razorbacks in the 2025 season.
Reflecting on last year’s 7-6 campaign, Pittman noted a troubling trend — Arkansas averaged a turnover margin of -2.3 in its losses. The difference was stark in games where the Razorbacks protected the ball. Arkansas won the turnover battle three times last season — a +4 margin at Mississippi State, +3 at Auburn, and +1 in the Liberty Bowl win over Texas Tech. Not surprisingly, they were undefeated (3-0) in games where the turnover margin was even or in their favor.
“Last year, when we took care of the football, we won. When we didn’t, we lost. It’s that simple,” Pittman said.
To address the issue head-on, Arkansas has implemented a new practice routine this fall camp. Immediately after the team’s pre-practice stretch, players head straight into “turnover circuits” — a series of drills designed to sharpen ball security and ball-hawking instincts on defense.
“It’s about creating habits,” Pittman explained. “We need to emphasize it every single day until it becomes who we are.”
Pittman hopes the renewed focus will prevent another boom-or-bust scenario in 2025, where Arkansas’ fortunes swing wildly based on turnovers. With an SEC West slate that leaves little margin for error, Pittman knows every possession counts.
“Our team’s success is going to hinge on how well we protect and take away the football,” he said. “We’re not leaving it to chance this year.”
Arkansas opens its season on August 30 against Western Carolina, where Razorback fans will get their first look at whether the offseason emphasis has paid off.
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