Backup Quarterbacks Continue to Give Arkansas Fits in 41-35 Loss to Ole Miss

For whatever reason, opposing backup quarterbacks have Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman’s number. That was the case on Saturday evening in Oxford, Mississippi. Ole Miss backup quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, a transfer from Division II Ferris State, accounted for 415 yards of offense and three total touchdowns in the Rebels’ 41-35 victory over Arkansas. It was a heavy-hitting SEC matchup, that ultimately saw the Razorbacks fall short.

Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Ole Miss Rebels 2025 Game Recap

On a night where Arkansas’ defense couldn’t stop a single thing Lane Kiffin threw at it, not even a hobbled Austin Simmons – the Rebels’ starting quarterback – could be stopped by the Hogs. After Chambliss injured his hand late in the first half, Simmons, who could barely walk, threw a four-yard touchdown pass that put Ole Miss up 28-21.

Chambliss found open receivers constantly and ran away from Arkansas’ defense time after time. Even when defensive coordinator Travis Williams attempted to dial up pressure, Chambliss, who was making his first start in a Division I college football game, was completely unfazed. A lack of defense against a backup quarterback is a frustrating trend that began before Pittman became the head coach at Arkansas. However, it’s a problem that has only been exacerbated during his tenure.

Backups Blasting the Razorbacks

Just ask fans who watched wide receiver turned quarterback Lynn Bowden Jr. run for 196 yards and two touchdowns in Arkansas’ 24-20 loss to Kentucky in 2019.

In Pittman’s first game as head coach at Arkansas in 2020, a then unknown Stetson Bennett solved Georgia’s offensive woes and threw for 211 yards and a pair of scores in the Bulldogs’ 37-10 season-opening win. Later that year, LSU’s TJ Finley threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns in his third start of the season. In 2023, Mississippi State back-up quarterback Mike Wright totaled 145 yards and a passing touchdown in an ugly 7-3 loss for the Razorbacks.

And that’s only a few examples of backup quarterbacks dismantling the Razorbacks’ defense, just as Chambliss did on Saturday evening.

By my count, Sam Pittman is now 4-7 against teams starting their backup QB.

— Andrew Hutchinson (@NWAHutch) September 14, 2025

“Our defense couldn’t do anything,” Pittman said in his post-game news conference. “We got problems there, and got to get em’ fixed.”

There was uncertainty throughout the week as to which Ole Miss quarterback would actually get the start on Saturday evening. Kiffin was coy in regard to Simmons’ status, and only in the hours leading up to kickoff was it confirmed that Chambliss would be the starter.

“We had prepared for both guys,” Pittman said regarding Ole Miss’ quarterback situation. “To be honest with you, they do the same thing with both guys. We had prepared for their offense which they run with either guy.

When Simmons came in, he couldn’t run, but he certainly threw a touchdown on us. I didn’t put much stock in the injury report, because I figured they would play whoever they wanted to. We prepared for either one of them.”

Pittman added that Chambliss’ breakout performance didn’t necessarily come as a surprise.

“He’s a good player,” Pittman said. “I knew he was fast, and I knew he had a strong arm … figured they would run the ball with him a little bit more than (Simmons), just because that’s what they had done in games prior. I thought he played a really good game.”

What’s Next for Arkansas?

With a schedule in front of them that features nine games against stellar competition, Arkansas can ill afford a defensive performance similar to what was seen in Oxford on Saturday. Beginning with its September 20 contest at Memphis, the Hogs must find a way to at least give their high-flying offense a chance to win games without having to put the ball in the end zone on every drive.