Sept. 16, 2024 – University of Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek, also a member of the College Football Playoff committee that ranks the major college teams for the new 12-team playoff, spoke at the Monday, Sept. 16 Memphis Touchdown Club at the Hilton in Memphis.
Before his appearance, Yuracheck spoke on several items during a media gathering.
Arkansas is scheduled to play at Memphis in football next season, which will be the second year of renovations being done at the Tigers’ Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The contest is set for Saturday, Sept. 20.
Yuracheck was asked if there’s been any talk about moving that game to Fayetteville and he said the contract with Memphis is for three games, two in Fayetteville and once in Memphis.
So, would he consider switching the 2025 contest to Fayetteville with another game to Memphis once the stadium renovations are complete.
“it wasn’t in my mind that the stadium was under construction (until today),” Yurachek said. “It’s still going to be under construction next season, so there may be an opportunity, if there’s an interest, for it, to switch the dates of these games and play this game next year in Fayetteville and give Memphis an opportunity to host a game when their stadium is done in a future year. But there’s been no discussions on that.”
Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek speaks with reporters for his appearance at the Memphis Touchdown Club on Monday, Sept. 16. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
Yurachek looks forward to continuing regional football rivalries with teams like Memphis, Tulsa, and Oklahoma State.
“I think you know, when you look at the regional schedule, it allows fan bases from the opposing school to come,” Yuracheck said. “Right here is a boarding state and the boarding city in Memphis. It’s good for our fan base to be able to travel to the Liberty Bowl and participate in that game. I just think regional games are a big deal and should be scheduled. It just makes financial sense for both schools.”
On other items, Yurachek said he will leave the possible scheduling of Memphis on the men’s basketball schedule to coach John Calipari, noting Calipari handles the scheduling of his team like he assumes Penny Hardaway puts together the Tigers’ schedule, although he added it would be a great game for both schools. He pushed back on speculation that football coach Sam Pittman may have his job in jeopardy, even with a 2-1 record ahead of the Razorbacks’ first SEC game Saturday at Auburn.
“I think he depends on the noise that I provide him for his job security, quite honestly, and I don’t think he relies on social media or any of that outside noise,” Yuracheck said. “I think he’s very confident in his ability. He really likes the team he has this year.”
