Arkansas Football: 3 players to watch vs Mississippi State

Sep 3, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman reacts during a game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman reacts during a game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
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Arkansas football player to watch #3: Cade Fortin

Arkansas Football
Sep 11, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Cade Fortin (6) runs out of the pocket against the Florida Gators during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Why did I use a picture of Fortin in action for South Florida instead of in the Arkansas football cardinal and white? Well, therein lies the problem…

If Jefferson cannot play, and Malik Hornsby isn’t the primary quarterback on Saturday, Pittman and Briles will put the ball in relatively unknown hands. Fortin has only completed one of his four passes in a Razorback uniform.

In fact, Fortin has only thrown 131 passes in four years at three different schools (North Carolina and South Florida before Arkansas). He has only completed 49.2% of those passes, with one touchdown and three interceptions.

Those career numbers do not inspire confidence for a potential starter during a road game in the SEC. And yet, Pittman and Briles have seemingly tabbed him as their backup quarterback based on the Alabama game.

The hope has got to be that they see something in practice that we aren’t privy to as mere civilians. Still, even if he is being a game manager and keeping the defense honest for the rushing attack, Fortin could play a key role in Arkansas football against Mississippi State.