FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas — The football world knows about the incredible memory of Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay. Arkansas’ Bobby Petrino might be right up his alley, working with offensive line coach Eric Mateos to fix the Razorbacks’ offensive line.
“He has a Rolodex of experience,” Mateos said. “He’ll remember a game from 20 years ago (and say), ‘Hey, we had to check this and that was that run check or that was that protection check.'”
It’s a much-maligned unit that was the start of all the Hogs’ problems last year. The Hogs finished last in the SEC and were fifth-worst nationally in sacks allowed per game (3.92). Arkansas is expected to return only two key players from last year’s starting lineup, Patrick Kutas and Josh Braun. Petrino’s teaching skills have allowed Mateos to quickly understand the offensive line, allowing them to get in sync faster.
“Our kids execute it with confidence because he (Petrino) is such a good teacher of it,” Mateos said. “He has to teach the coaches and then the coaches have to teach the players. I feel like he teaches me the offense so well that I can be a better teacher for our kids.”
The players are adapting well, too, not only because of the schematic changes, but also because of the mental and psychological changes Petrino quickly instilled in the unit.
“He’s doing a really good job of teaching us that, so even we expect a goal every time we touch the ball,” Braun said. “It’s quite a change and a welcome change.”
Whether this change actually results in points remains to be seen, but a statistical improvement starting in 2023 shouldn’t be too difficult. The season begins on August 29 at 6:30 p.m. against UAPB.
PIG FEED:
• Razorbacks finish the games in Paris with a golden relay victory
• Apparently Carmona has not yet reached the stage that Mateos wants for the Hogs
• It is difficult to find many negative and positive aspects after the first training games
• Subscribe and follow us on YouTube
• Follow allHOGS on X And on facebook.
