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Arkansas AD slams early Georgia, late Utah kickoff times

5/28/2026

28 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Yurachek Demands Change

Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek criticized the September 12 and September 19 kickoff times, requesting schedule changes.
The Utah game will start at 9:15 p.m. Central Time on ESPN and the Georgia game at 11 a.m. Central Time on ABC.
Yurachek said the early-morning Georgia start leaves players only a few hours of rest, harming their well-being.
Utah views the late-night slot as a prime national ESPN window and night-time atmosphere.

Summary

Silverfield Leads

Ryan Silverfield, Arkansas’s head coach, will lead the team in his first season, 2026.
Arkansas will face Utah on Sept. 12, 2026, on ESPN’s “Mothership” channel, the Pacific-time-zone game on ESPN that day.
Arkansas will play Georgia on Sept. 19, 2026, on ABC.
Yurachek said the two high-profile games boost television partners’ bottom line, linking the schedule to broadcast revenue.
SEC will release the rest of its 2026 football schedule on June 10.

Summary

Silverfield Prioritizes Fans

Arkansas will face Utah on Sept. 12, marking the Razorbacks’ first meeting with the Utes and their inaugural west-coast opponent.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said the league can offer input while ESPN retains full autonomy over kickoff times under the conference’s television contracts.
Head coach Ryan Silverfield said his priority is delivering what fans want, emphasizing fan excitement over the scheduling dispute.

Summary

Arkansas Opens Season

Arkansas opens 2026 season on September 5 against Alabama A&M at 3:15 p.m. on SEC Network.
One week later Arkansas travels to Utah for a 9:15 p.m. CT kickoff, its home start since 2005.
Arkansas ended 2025 with a 2-10 SEC record, a winless conference slate.
Silverfield’s inaugural SEC game is September 19 at 11 a.m. on ABC versus Georgia.
Season fans receive full On3 and Rivals national content plus The Trough premium board access.

History

Historical Context

After SEC Commissioner Michael Slive and ESPN president John Skipper announced a 20-year partnership in May 2013 that birthed the SEC Network in August 2014, the conference has prioritized television revenue over scheduling. In September 2026 Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek objected to early kickoff times for Utah and Georgia, warning that the profit-driven model may erode player rest and fan satisfaction.

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Yurachek Demands Change

Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek criticized the September 12 and September 19 kickoff times, requesting schedule changes.
The Utah game will start at 9:15 p.m. Central Time on ESPN and the Georgia game at 11 a.m. Central Time on ABC.
Yurachek said the early-morning Georgia start leaves players only a few hours of rest, harming their well-being.
Utah views the late-night slot as a prime national ESPN window and night-time atmosphere.

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