The deal puts the Walmart and Tyson logos on the field at Reynolds Razorback Stadium | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas fans will notice the new on-field presence of Northwest Arkansas brands Tyson Foods and Walmart at Reynolds Razorback Stadium this season, starting with Saturday’s home opener against Alabama-Birmingham.

UA announced, in coordination with Learfield’s Razorbacks Sports Properties, what the school calls a “flagship sponsorship extension” with Tyson Foods and Walmart.

The deal will make Arkansas one of the first college athletic programs to feature on-field logos of corporate partners at home football games. The logos will be placed on the 25 yard lines at Frank Broyles Field.

Tyson Foods and Walmart will receive increased visibility through their on-field logos, television visibility and exposure on social media platforms, UA said in a statement. Those local businesses, based in Springdale and Bentonville, respectively, will also have increased sponsorship activations, events, promotions and content collaboration with student-athletes in the name, image and likeness (NIL) space.

UA Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek thanked the Fortune 500 companies for their commitment to the school’s launch.

“Their investment continues to be significant in the lives of the 465 Razorback student-athletes and our program,” Yurachek said. “It’s only fitting that when fans watch the Hogs at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, they’re reminded of two Arkansas-born success stories that transformed our state and reshaped our world.”

Tyson Foods chairman John Tyson and Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart Inc., both issued statements regarding the sponsorship news.

“Walmart is proud to be a longtime supporter of our hometown University of Arkansas teams and programs that provide students with opportunities to compete at the highest academic, business and athletic levels,” said McMillon. “We are excited to expand the ways we stand with these talented students.”

Tyson wrote: “At Tyson Foods, we are deeply committed to supporting students, student athletes, college sports and our local communities. By investing in college education and athletic programs, we aim to foster growth and talent, ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.”

“Explosives”

Arkansas has 25 passing plays of 15 yards or more and 18 running plays of 10 yards, stat categories commonly called “explosive” plays by football statisticians under first-year offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, who also calls them “piecemeal” games.

Through two games last season, the Razorbacks had eight such passing plays and four running plays, or 28 percent of their total under coordinator Dan Enos. It went into Game 6 last year before the Hogs surpassed the current 43-game blowout total.

UAB payday

The Alabama-Birmingham athletic department will receive $1.6 million in game guarantees to face the Arkansas Razorbacks, sources told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The AU is removing match guarantee payments in its contracts provided to freedom of information requests, citing a competitive disadvantage.

Blazer football made a remarkable competitive comeback in its eighth season after returning from a self-imposed hiatus due to budget constraints.

UAB shut down football after 2014, a season in which it lost 45-17 at Arkansas in the only previous meeting between the schools, and did not compete again for two years. The Blazers had to pay $2.425 million, according to an ESPN.com report, to get out of several contracts after 2014, including $925,000 to Tennessee and $500,000 to Kentucky.

Since reviving the program in 2017 under coach Bill Clark, the Blazers have gone 55-35, a .615 winning percentage that ranks 13th among Group 5 programs in that span. UAB won Conference USA championships in 2018 and 2020 under Clark. The Blazers’ only losing season since restarting was a 4-8 record last year under coach Trent Dilfer.

Ball movement

Arkansas gained 648 yards on Oklahoma State in 93 plays, with 416 passing yards and 232 rushing yards.

“We had great energy,” center Addison Nichols said on coach Sam Pittman’s radio show. “The guys were really excited. We moved the ball really, really well and the defense did an amazing job getting the ball back.”

Arkansas led 21-7 at halftime with 351 yards.

“That first inning was a great inning for us,” Nichols said. “In the second half we just have to keep bringing that energy. One thing we want to prove this year is we can run the ball, we can throw the ball. We can do whatever we want. I feel like we looked really good, but we -we would like to win with her too.”

Early bird offer

Addison Nichols was at camp in Georgia the summer between her freshman and sophomore years at Greater Atlanta Christian School when Sam Pittman offered her a scholarship.

Pittman, now in his fifth season at Arkansas, was Georgia’s offensive line coach at the time.

Pittman, speaking on his radio show Wednesday, said he wanted to offer Nichols on the spot but decided it would be best to get coach Kirby Smart’s approval.

“I had them take Kirby, because I didn’t want to be cursed when I offered it to him,” Pittman said with a laugh.

Smart liked what he saw of Nichols and the offer was made.

Nichols, who signed with Tennessee, transferred to Arkansas after last season and is the starting center as a sophomore.

“You’re good to people, they might come back to you,” Pittman said. “When he entered the portal, he was recruited by everyone in the country, and he should have been. We had a previous relationship and he helped us with it. Very, very fortunate that he chose Arkansas, because he’s a good player now, and by the time he gets here, I think he’s going to be a great one.”

Dates differ

UAB coach Trent Dilfer is the only Super Bowl-winning quarterback serving as an active head coach in the FBS ranks.

Dilfer still holds the record for most wins by a quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a 38-38 record.

As a collegian at Fresno State (1992-93) broke the NCAA record for consecutive passes without an interception at 271, a mark that stood for 14 years. Kentucky’s Andre’ Woodson eclipsed it with 325 in 2006-07, followed by NC State’s Russell Wilson (379 in 2008-09) and current record holder Colby Cameron of Louisiana Tech (444 in 2011-12).

Dilfer was the first quarterback ever ejected from an NFL game for punching John Randle of the Minnesota Vikings in 1995, according to his Wikipedia article.

kick star

Devin Bale finally got going last week and averaged 45.7 yards on three punts, all of which were downed inside the Oklahoma State 20. The redshirt junior transfer from Northern Colorado did not punt in Arkansas’ season opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff as its offense went 10-for-10 with touchdown drives.

Bale also serves as the starter at kick-offs and takes the kick-offs.

“A high school kid doesn’t do all those things,” coach Sam Pittman said on his radio show. “It’s pretty special. And he is a special child.”

Bale will join TJ Metcalf, Jaheim Singletary and Isaac TeSlaa as team captains on Saturday.

Chat with statistics

Arkansas ranks No. 2 in total offense (667.5 ypg), No. 9 in scoring (50.5), No. 2 in passing (412.0), No. 16 in rushing (255.5) and No. 44 in passing efficiency .

On the other side of the ball, the Razorbacks are 35th in total defense (257.5), 67th in scoring (19.5), 4th in rushing defense (33.0), 89th in yards allowed (224.5) and no. 50 in pass efficiency defense.

The Razorbacks are tied for 105th in turnover margin (-1).

UAB ranks 73rd in total offense (388.0), 96th in scoring (23.5), 39th in rushing (197.0), 97th in passing (191.0) and 93 in passing efficiency.

The Blazers are tied for No. 26 in total defense (236.5), tied for No. 62 in scoring defense (17.5), No. 98 in rushing defense (163.0), No. 3 in yards allowed (73 ,5) and no. 8 in effective pass defense.