Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman. Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Arkansas star makes fiery claim ahead of historic clash with bitter rival

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Sep 5, 2025 9:58 PM ET

Arkansas' matchup with Arkansas State on Saturday is a historic, unique matchup. Shortly before kickoff, there seems to be the slightest bit of a rivalry brewing between the Natural State's two major football programs.

Speaking on Little Rock radio station 103.7 The Buzz on Friday, Arkansas center Caden Kitler made his expectations for the game clear. "We're expecting to whip their a--," Kitler said of Arkansas State.

Saturday's clash is between bitter in-state rivals

On the surface, Saturday's contest in Little Rock between the Red Wolves and Razorbacks is another SEC-Sun Belt contest. But for fans from the northwest and northeast corners of the state, it means much more.

Arkansas is favored by 22.5 points, but head coach Sam Pittman knows that with those expectations, the pressure is firmly on the Hogs to show up in front of what should be a partial Razorback crowd at War Memorial Stadium.

"I think, certainly, we're the ones with the pressure on us," Pittman said in a news conference on Monday. "I wouldn't think that they (Arkansas State) would have it. Certainly, we have high respect for their program. I think the rivalry goes from, it's the first game, and it's the fans. But we certainly understand the importance of the game.

"I hope that it's packed and it's exciting."

Kickoff for Saturday's game between Arkansas and Arkansas State is slated for 5 p.m. ET, with coverage on SEC Network+.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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