First Razrorback in over a decade to record 3+ sacks in a game
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Defensive coordinator Travis Williams told defensive end Landon Jackson to do one thing before playing Alabama.
“Make them remember your name,” Jackson said. “That’s what just kept running through my head was, ‘I’ve got to make them remember my name.'”The Crimson Tide offensive line will remember his name for a while. Quarterback Jalen Milroe might have some nightmares of a 6-foot-7, 281-pound human falling on top of him for 3.5 sacks. Jackson finished the game with more than just sacks. He had 11 tackles (7 solo) and 3,5 tackles for loss to round out his stat line.
“He always hasn’t been able to plant and get under and turn the edge,” Pittman said. “Right now, he’s turning the edge really, really well. He’s not a lot different. He’s a little better with his clubs, his rips, his swims, but the key is when he turns, he’s turning now. He’s not wasting movement. Once he turns, he’s getting straight to the quarterback.”
Jackson is the first Razorback with 3+ sacks since Chris Smith tallied 3.0 sacks against Southern Miss in 2013. As a result, his efforts netted him SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week. He is the second Razorback lineman to win the award (Trajan Jeffcoat, Week 2 vs. Kent State).
“He did a tremendous job,” quarterback KJ Jefferson said postgame. “I was just asking him back there how many sacks he had. I mean he was just flying around, getting off blocks, running to tackles, rallying around the ball. Good overall effort by him. It just showed the grit and tenacity he plays with. It’s contagious as well. Other guys feed off his energy and him making plays.”
Now in his junior season, Jackson has found a home in Fayetteville after spending his freshman year at LSU. Through just seven games this year he has already outperformed his sophomore stats and has become a leader of the defense that continues to answer the bell as the team tries to snap out of a five-game skid.
“Keep fighting,” Jackson said. “You’ve got to keep fighting. You can never bow down and just be okay with losing. I mean, it sucks. I really thought we were going to pull this one off today, but I mean we just got to go back to work Monday and just keep fighting and get the win next week.”
The Razorbacks return home for the first time to Donald W. Reynolds in over 40 days against Mississippi State 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. The game will be televised on ESPN and FuboTV.