Razorbacks' Coach Biggest Test of QB1 Battle Comes Down to Command

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman’s successor, offensive leader Barry Silverfield, is framing the QB1 battle around late-game execution—specifically the two-minute offense. The Razorbacks are 17-49 in one-score games since 2012, a run Silverfield says has stretched across multiple staffs. Speaking Aug. 16, he emphasized repetition in practice for “situational football,” including end-of-half scenarios, timeout control, hurry-up reps, and details like getting out of bounds and aligning for fourth downs. Silverfield said he wanted extra pressure applied to each quarterback before deciding the starter. He pointed to KJ’s and AJ’s “command of the offense” during those controlled situations. With fumbles and turnovers having plagued Arkansas, the coach expects repetition to help—especially as the team pushes its quarterback competition toward game readiness.