Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Bobby Petrino has a plan for just about everything. It seems like any situation the Razorbacks could encounter he’s got the answer for, something Petrino has proven throughout his three years here.

Petrino is detail-oriented. He likes to leave nothing to chance and prepares himself and his players accordingly.

There are exceptions.

Take Jarrius Wright’s 89-yard touchdown at Mississippi State last week. It was impressive on a number of levels, but primarily because the wide receiver regained his balance after nearly falling down once securing the ball. It was reminiscent of Greg Childs’ stumble and game-winning touchdown at Georgia earlier this year.

Is that a skill the team practices? Does Petrino have his coaching staff go over balance-keeping drills? Is it all part of his master plan?

Not quite. The suggestion even made Petrino chuckle. There are a lot of things the team practices, but Wright and Childs were simply using natural ability to turn nothing into something.           

“[Coaches] get nothing for that. Absolutely nothing. It’s all him,” Petrino said, laughing.

Quarterback Ryan Mallett said he was impressed by Wright’s touchdown catch. Mallett admitted he assumed the worst when Wright initially stumbled.

“When I saw him stumble, I got nervous for a second,” Mallett said before adding, “First, that was just an athletic play by Jarius the way he was able to stay on his feet. If that had been me, I would have bit the dust right there. And then you could see the speed. Once he recovered. He’s so fast it’s ridiculous.”

Wright’s catch was crucial for the Razorbacks. They trailed 21-17 in the third quarter and had just come up with a defensive stop as Mississippi State threatened to build on its lead.

Tricky Situation
LSU has a reputation for living dangerously under coach Les Miles. Trick plays aren’t uncommon for the Tigers.

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino is aware and expressed a measure of admiration for Miles’ approach. Petrino said the Razorbacks not only have file on some of LSU’s tricks, they’ve implemented some a time or two.

And just because they work for LSU doesn’t mean they work for everybody.  Oct. 10 the Tigers used a fake field goal for a touchdown and 33-29 victory against Florida, rather than go for the tie and overtime.

Petrino called a fake field goal — in which the holder flips the ball back to the kicker — against Texas A&M. It failed. Badly.