Although the Arkansas Razorbacks (2-3, 0-1 SEC) were a legitimate threat to upset the No. 22 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-2, 0-0 Independent), the Hogs decided to deliver their worst performance at the most inopportune time of the season against one of the most storied programs in college football history. The Razorbacks' atrocious performance against the Fighting Irish, a 56-13 loss, generated undesired national attention and criticism for the Hogs' football program.
Such attention and criticism played crucial roles in the University of Arkansas' administrators, especially Hunter Yurachek, director of athletics, deciding to relieve Sam Pittman of his duties as head football coach.