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Sam Pittman reacts to tailgate changes following new kickoff time
By Mark Kern
Published:
Arkansas opens up the 2023 college football season at home against Western Carolina on Saturday at 12 pm. That is a change as the game was supposed to kickoff at 3, but because of the heat.
The forecast is calling for weather in the high 90s with a high humidity in the afternoon, so the change allows the teams and the fans to not have to deal with the extreme heat.
When asked about this change to kickoff and what it means for the tailgate, coach Sam Pittman said tailgating was something he hasn’t even thought about.
“I am not worried about tailgating, I can tell you that,” Pittman said. “That’s going to make people mad, but I don’t care. We are trying to do what is best for our teams and what’s best for our fans. I would imagine 3 hours before at 9 o’clock when its 80 some degrees versus 96 if you started at noon would be better for our fans.”
Arkansas plays 5 of their first 8 games at homes, so moving the game up made more sense than moving the game back in order to assure the players would get home earlier in the evening.
