Texas A&M Aggies' Bobby Petrino 'One of The Best,' Says Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman
Texas A&M Aggies offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino coached four seasons at Arkansas, and other than his first season, had a top-30 offense.
The Bobby Petrino Effect has since been brought to College Station, Texas, as the Aggies' offense has improved from being ranked 93rd and 101st in total and scoring offense, respectively, to 30th and 17th in the Football Bowl Subdivision. As Petrino prepares to face the Razorbacks for the second time in as many years on Sunday at AT&T Stadium, Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman certainly gave him his praise.
"Coach Petrino's one of the best offensive minds in the game and we respect him a lot. They’re doing a really nice job on offense," Pittman said Monday. "They’re throwing it well and they’re running it well. They have the same staple of physicality that they’ve been using in the past."
Texas A&M Aggies offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino (left) was the Arkansas Razorbacks head coach from 2008-11.
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Last season, as Missouri State's head coach, Petrino and the Bears marched into Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and had then-No. 10 Arkansas on the ropes.
Missouri State put up 409 yards in a 38-27 loss that required 21-unanswered points in the fourth quarter from Arkansas to escape what would have been a monumental upset.
One week later, the Razorbacks went to AT&T Stadium and were handled by the Aggies across the final three quarters of the Southwest Classic, losing to Texas A&M, 23-21.
Petrino's job becomes a little tougher for the rest of the season without quarterback Conner Weigman in an offense predicated on throwing the football, but signal-caller Max Johnson is more than capable of handling the No. 42 defense in the country. Not saying that's a guarantee, but given his performance against Auburn last week was the most efficient game in his career, there's at least a chance.
Johnson led the Southwest Classic victory last year, completing 11-of-21 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown.
Pittman said from what he's seen, the Aggies' offense last season is similar to this year's.
"[Petrino]'s obviously a great coach. Watching them, I think there's a lot of coach Petrino. Heck, I see a lot of Jim Chaney in them," Pittman said. "Obviously, coach (Jimbo) Fisher, I think he's got a lot to do with it, too. I don't see a whole lot of difference in this year than what they were last year. There are some differences, but they're still a very physical running team. They've adjusted some of their line from last year."
A&M and Arkansas kickoff from Arlington at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
