Saturday’s loss to Ole Miss was a tough one for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but amid a poor team performance, two players stood out and deserve recognition as Hogs of the Week: Luke Hasz and Andrew Armstrong. While the team’s struggles ultimately led to a loss, these two individuals did everything they could to help the Hogs mount a comeback against the Rebels.
Luke Hasz, a player who had a lot of preseason hype but has battled through injury this season, continues to show signs of life. The tight end has been plagued by a back injury since the Oklahoma State game, which has hindered his ability to live up to expectations. Early in the season, many pegged Hasz as a potential breakout star, even comparing him to Georgia’s Brock Bowers. While that hasn’t materialized this year, Hasz is steadily finding his rhythm. Against Ole Miss, he finished with five receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. This marked his second consecutive game with a score and at least 50 receiving yards. Hasz’s ability to provide a reliable target for quarterback Taylen Green, especially in a season full of ups and downs, is a promising sign heading into the final stretch of the year. With just three games remaining, his progress is a vital piece to Arkansas’s hopes of securing a postseason bid.
On the other side of the ball, Andrew Armstrong had yet another dominant performance that flew under the radar due to the team’s overall result. The former FCS transfer continues to be the most consistent wide receiver on the squad, and his performance against Ole Miss was nothing short of impressive. Armstrong finished with 135 yards on six receptions, averaging an eye-popping 22.5 yards per catch. This marks his fourth game this season with over 130 receiving yards. Despite his consistent production, Armstrong only has one touchdown reception to his name, which feels almost criminal given his ability to make plays. His speed and ability to stretch the field have made him a constant threat, and with Louisiana Tech and Missouri still left on the schedule, it’s likely we’ll see more big performances from Armstrong before the season ends.
While the team’s disappointing loss to Ole Miss was tough to stomach, the efforts of Hasz and Armstrong were bright spots, proving that even in adversity, certain players can rise to the occasion. Their individual performances are something to build on as Arkansas pushes toward bowl eligibility.
