The Hog Pod with Bo Mattingly

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85. Sam Pittman: Trust Nov 04, 2020

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There's no question that Sam Pittman has captured the college football world's attention. Pittman has already doubled Arkansas' SEC win total of the past three seasons. So what has he done that has the Razorbacks looking like an entirely different program? Pittman has earned the trust of his players, and is honest and up front. Making no secret that he's at Arkansas to stay, we go inside Pittman's first year on the job to find out what he's done and how he's doing it.

84. Grant Morgan: Arkansas Built Oct 28, 2020

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There's a certain respect earned from hard work and determination. For Arkansans, it's often referred to as the fighting Razorback spirit. It's grit, toughness, and most of all, the underdog mentality—when others doubt you, you get better. It's the DNA of Razorback linebacker Grant Morgan, who's been out to prove himself since Day 1. When tempted by doubt, Morgan just works harder and never quits believing in himself. After beginning his career as a walk-on, now, Morgan is a starter and captain who's earned everything. He's Arkansas built and Razorback tough. The kid from Greenwood is no longer being overlooked.

83. Joe Dean Davenport: From Farm to Football and Back Oct 21, 2020

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For some, football is a way of life. For others, it's just what they do, not who they are. And for Joe Dean Davenport, he's always been a rancher at heart. He didn't really get into football until junior high, and didn't even really know the rules until high school. For Davenport, it was more something to do than anything else. As it turned out, though, he was pretty good. He started getting recruiting letters and invited on visits. But Davenport only had eyes for the Razorbacks and a campus he grew up less than 30 minutes away from. In his time at Arkansas, he would turn into an NFL-caliber player. And even though there's one game he still hasn't watched, his time with the Hogs was a success. So why, when presented with an opportunity to play at the next level, would he simply walk away, only to come back to the NFL a year later? And how has his life taken him full circle, from the farm to the NFL and back?

82. Marvin Caston: An Unexpected Ride Oct 14, 2020

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There's something to be said for the "pull" of the Razorbacks. You come to the University of Arkansas from outside the state, and you end up never wanting to leave. And in Marvin Caston's case, that's exactly what happened, even though he didn't know it at the time. Caston is the product of hard work growing up in northern Louisiana. He worked from a young age to help provide for his family, and football provided a way to have some fun. And though his Razorback career wouldn't get off to the best of starts, he ended up being a part of Houston Nutt's 1998 and '99 teams that went 17-7 over a two-year stretch. And when the opportunities arose to keep helping the university and its community—first in the compliance department and now with the Razorback Foundation—he jumped at the chance. Marvin Caston may not have originally planned on being a Razorback, but Arkansas is lucky to have him.

81. Madre Hill: Rescuing a Program Oct 07, 2020

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In many ways, Madre Hill helped save Arkansas football. It's no secret the Razorbacks struggled in their last years in the Southwest Conference and the SEC had proven to be a challenge. Enter Hill. Considered the top running back prospect in the nation after a record-setting career at Malvern High, he had offers from all the big-time programs. But he chose Arkansas because he wanted to help rescue the program. And when Hill got his chance as a sophomore, he was as good as advertised. He ran for what was then a school-record 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns, leading the Razorbacks to the SEC West title. But then…disaster. Hill tore his ACL in the SEC Championship Game and missed the 1996 season. Then, in the spring of '97, he injured his OTHER knee. But he kept fighting, came back for the '98 season and remarkably still made it to the NFL. It's worth wondering what might have been had Hill not suffered those injuries. Perhaps he'd be alongside Darren McFadden as the best to ever wear a Razorback uniform. But Hill doesn't dwell on the past. He's grateful for the time he had helping to rescue the Razorbacks.

80. Ryan Mallett: Right QB at the Right Time Sep 30, 2020

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Ryan Mallett is one of the best players in Razorback history. But his college career didn't start with the Razorbacks and from his perspective, there was a good reason why. Mallett's talent was evident at a young age. Michigan was the first to take notice and eventually earned Mallett's commitment, but after the legendary Lloyd Carr retired, Mallett's boyhood dream of becoming a Hog began to look like more of a reality. After sitting out a year because of transfer rules, it became clear that Ryan Mallett was a perfect fit for head coach Bobby Petrino. And in 2010, Arkansas made its first-ever BCS bowl appearance. Though there were ups and downs, missteps and misunderstandings. Ryan Mallett gave Arkansas some of its best SEC memories, culminating as an NFL starter and eight year league veteran. Now, he's doing what he grew up around: coaching ball.

79. Feleipe Franks: Ready for Redemption Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

To say it was a long and winding road that brought Feleipe Franks to Arkansas might be an understatement. Born into a military family and raised on farm tending to horses, values matter to Franks…even though past perception might be different. After originally committing to LSU, Franks ended up at Florida. He spilt time starting as a redshirt freshman, and then found success in 2018—leading the Gators to a Peach Bowl win. But questions about his maturity lingered. Then…heartbreak. In the third game of the 2019 season, Franks suffered a devastating leg injury that cost him the season. Following the injury, Franks realized his future lay elsewhere. After the decision to transfer, he's ready to start fresh at Arkansas AND leave the doubters in his rearview. How has he grown from mistakes to become a better leader—so much so that he's now an Arkansas team captain? Feleipe Franks is ready to make a lasting impression on the Razorbacks.

Introducing the Razorback Daily Sep 18, 2020

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The Razorback Daily is a one-stop shop for everything fans need to know about the Hogs: the biggest stories, exclusive interviews and opinions on the most important news of the day. This new podcast is a game-changer for Arkansas fans, giving them the latest news and insights about the Hogs. Hosted by Chuck Barrett, every episode will be ready and waiting for fans first thing each morning. Coming Sept. 21.

78. Get to Know: Parker Goins Sep 16, 2020

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She's one of the best players for a nationally ranked Arkansas women's soccer program. She's been named to an All-SEC First Team, and is a constant scoring threat. But Parker Goins almost didn't end up at Arkansas. Recruited by soccer powerhouse North Carolina—a program that's won 21 of 31 national titles—why did Goins choose the on-the-rise Razorbacks? Friendship played a key role there, as it does throughout her story. Goins only started playing soccer because she wanted to spend time with her friends. And since then, those friends have been by her side for all the big moments, both good and bad. Now a senior, Goins is ready to take the SEC by storm once again. And as always, her friends will be right there with her.

77. Scott Fountain: Special Teams Savant Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

He's regarded as a special teams savant, and one of the hardest workers in the business. And he just so happens to be Sam Pittman's assistant head coach and special teams coordinator. Scott Fountain has been a part of four teams that have played for national titles, and has played a key role as a special teams coordinator for some unforgettable moments, including the "Kick Six." Along the way, he's coached alongside some of game's best coaches, including Bobby Bowden, Mark Richt, Gene Chizik and Kirby Smart. Fountain's career—one that began coaching high schoolers in his native Alabama—has led to him becoming one of the preeminent special teams coaches in the game. Now, it's worth asking: What does that mean for Arkansas? If it's true that "special teams wins championships," then hiring a guru is a good place to start.

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