By OTIS KIRK
FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas enters Saturday's game against Auburn with some momentum after its 21-14 win last week over Mississippi State .

Arkansas' first-year head coach Sam Pittman and Auburn's Gus Malzahn participated on the SEC Teleconference Wednesday. Arkansas and Auburn will kick off at 3 p.m. Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium. The SEC Network will televise the game.

PITTMAN RESPECTS AUB
Both teams are 1-1 after both lost to Georgia. Having been an assistant at Tennessee, Arkansas and Georgia, Pittman knows how dangerous Auburn is despite the record.

"Well, Auburn is historically one of the finest programs in the country," Pittman said. "And they have an outstanding coach in Coach Malzahn, and of course their two coordinators, Kevin Steele and Chad Morris. I mean, those guys are wonderful coaches and are problems schematically. Their football team has always been big and physical, just like it is this year. We look forward to going over there, but certainly we know what an outstanding football team Auburn is."

RUNNING GAME WANTED
Both Pittman and Malzahn have seen their teams struggle to run the football this season.

Arkansas has rushed 65 times for 140 yards with no touchdowns. The Razorbacks had a 19-yard run against Georgia. Auburn has rushed 52 times for 130 yards and a TD, with a long run of 13 yards. Against Georgia, the Hogs rushed 28 times for 77 yards, while Auburn rushed 22 times for 39 yards.

"If it’s raining (due to Hurricane Delta), I think the run game is going to amp up in importance," Pittman said. "We’re trying to run the ball every week as well as we possibly can. We certainly, whether it’s going to rain or whether it’s not, we have to get better in our rushing attack. We’ve worked awful hard at it this week and in the weeks prior. With a wet ball, we might not be able to throw it quite as well as normally."

Malzahn mostly echoed Pittman's sentiments.

"Well, first of all, we really are striving to be balanced and working extremely hard to do that," Malzahn said. "Especially in this league, to be effective long term you have to be able to do both. So we’re working extremely hard to do that and hopefully we’ll be more balanced this week. Of course, I would probably say the same thing about the other side."

WALKING WOUNDED
Pittman provided an update of sorts for running back Rakeem Boyd, cornerback Montaric Brown and wide receiver Treylon Burks, who were all injured against Mississippi State.

"They’re fine," Pittman said. "I anticipate at least two of the three being able to play. We hope all three will."

LEARNING TO WIN
Pittman said last week the Razorbacks must learn how to win, and Arkansas' first-year head coach added Wednesday that they have not accomplished that.

"Absolutely not," Pittman said. "We need to learn to not get personal fouls when we can run the clock out, you know. Those things are teaching moments. It was a wonderful, fun win, but we certainly don’t have it down pat, yet. We’re working hard. We haven’t changed anything we’re doing. We’re trying to go earn victories and get better at the same time.

"I think you have to learn how to practice. That’s a key there. I think you have to learn what toughness is, you know? How far your mind can take you, how tough your mind can make you.

"Then I think you have to learn what’s the expectation. Before you learn how to win, I think that’s all the things that go - not all of them - but I think that’s a big part of what we harp on here is learn how to practice, learn what toughness really means. And what are the expectations on you on yourself, and what are the expectations of the football team. And then, if you can kind of figure all that stuff out, it helps you toward winning."

DE ZACH WILLIAMS
The sophomore defensive end from Joe T. Robinson has impressed his head coach in the first two games. Williams ranks fourth on the team with 13 tackles, including five solo, 1.5 for loss and a sack.

"He doesn’t say much," Pittman said. "He’s a lunch-pail type guy. He goes to work. You ask him to do something, he goes and does it. He chases the ball, tries to do his assignment as best he can. He’s not a loafing-type kid. He’s going to give you effort, and to me, he’s just a hard-working kid who can run. He’s working his way up the depth chart. I’m just very, very proud of him."

A NEW WEEK
Pittman said his Hogs left behind its upset of Mississippi State as quickly as it sis the opening loss to Georgia.

"We had an hour and 40 minute practice Monday," Pittman said. "It was a very good practice as you might expect with enthusiasm. Yesterday was a tough, physical practice. I'd just be very disappointed in myself if we weren't ready to play (Saturday). So,  we're aware of that (hangover). We've certainly visited about it. And I think we're headed in the right direction as far as practice and the Mississippi State win."

HOGS VS. MORRIS
Malzahn was asked if this is an emotional game for Chad Morris, his offensive coordinator and the former head coach at Arkansas in 2018 and 2019.

"I think you’re probably right," Malzahn said. "I remember we played Arkansas State the year after I got here, and it’s always a little bit different. Once the game starts, it’s just like any other game. You do your job and, like I said earlier, Arkansas is coming off a big win for them, so it ought to be a good one."

After one year as offensive coordinator under Houston Nutt at Arkansas, Malzahn left for Tulsa as its OC. Malzahn and Tulsa faced the Hogs that next season.

"It was really weird for me personally that week. I do remember that," Malzahn said. "But like I said, once a game starts, you just kind of flip the switch. But before and after, it was definitely a completely different feel."

Malzahn has never forgotten his Arkansas roots.

"Well, like I said, that's where I grew up," Malzahn said. "Coached 15 years of high school football and played there, so it's always a little bit different you know preparing. But like I said once the game starts I mean you've got a job to do. They've got a lot of momentum coming in here, and we just came off a tough loss. We're gonna have to regroup and play good, hard-nosed, clean Auburn football."