Sam Pittman scratched his chin. A reporter had just asked him how important it was to pressure sack-prone Jalen Milroe and prevent a run-first quarterback from escaping the pocket. Arkansas head coach just nodded and gestured behind him.

“Big time,” Pittman said, “We found that out there last year.”

Pittman was referencing Oct. 1, 2021, when Alabama’s backup quarterback replaced an injured Bryce Young to quiet Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Milroe said Monday his first priority then was checking on Young. The two shared a conversation, and Milroe bounced on the field “full of emotion.” And Arkansas wasn’t ready, Pittman reflected.

“I think it was 28-23, I think third-and-13. Crowd behind us. And (Milroe) takes off for 80 yards and we didn’t have anybody to catch him. Really wasn’t anybody really close to him. So, that’s going to be a big deal. He’s the guy that makes them go you know. So, obviously, that’ll be our number one concern. We’re going to do everything we can to make him uncomfortable.”

Milroe finished 4-of-9 passing for 64 yards in his first significant collegiate game action. He also ran six times for 91 yards and two total touchdowns. But after Milroe’s career-high 300-plus yard day last weekend against Texas A&M, Pittman was faced with questions not just of Milroe’s legs, but also his throwing power and ability to push the ball downfield.

Pittman noted that Alabama’s offense is obviously different with Milroe leading the charge instead of Young. Yet, Pittman said the Tide can hang with any team in the country. He called Nick Saban “unbelievable” for continuing his success through his 17-year tenure.

Pittman compared Milroe to a younger version of Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson. The senior has scored 60 touchdowns in his career, but according to Pittman, he’s pressed while adjusting to Dan Enos’ offense. The former Maryland offensive coordinator is replacing Kendal Briles, who left for TCU in the offseason. On Monday, Saban said the Razorbacks’ attack isn’t “a whole lot different” than 2022.

“Milroe is great at throwing the deep ball. I mean, he is. Really, if you look a little bit about he and KJ from, let’s say, a year ago, I think the thing with KJ, you’d say, ‘He can run and he can throw the deep ball,’ I’m not saying Milroe can’t make every throw, I’m saying he’s fantastic at the deep ball. And they’ve put some quarterback sweeps in,” said Pittman. “When you go back and look at South Florida game, when Milroe didn’t start, versus now, yes, they’re a run-first team.”

Bryant-Denny Stadium will host Alabama’s homecoming game at 11 a.m. on ESPN.

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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].