Petrino worried about freshmen inexperience in season opener

The Associated Press

New Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino has one obvious cause for concern heading into this weekend’s season opener against Western Illinois: Inexperience.

After losing running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, as well as a few other key players, the Razorbacks will turn to several newcomers early on.

“We have a lot of freshmen that will be playing and a couple of them that will be starting,” Petrino said. “So that makes you nervous.”

Who actually starts could depend on what formations the Razorbacks begin the game with on offense and defense, but five freshmen are atop their positions on the depth chart — fullback Mitchell Bailey, free safety Elton Ford, wide receiver Jarius Wright and linebackers Jerry Franklin and Jelani Smith.

Wright went to Warren High School in Arkansas, where he caught 58 passes for 1,350 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior. In addition to playing receiver, he is expected to return punts and kicks for the Razorbacks.

Joe Adams, another in-state product, from Central Arkansas Christian, backed away from Southern California to sign with Arkansas. He could receive immediate playing time at receiver as well.

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BROTHERHOOD: Petrino is pretty familiar with his offensive coordinator. That’s because he’s the coach’s brother, Paul Petrino.

Bobby Petrino said a lot of their most important communication will take place between possessions, when Arkansas’ defense is on the field.

“There’s a number of times when we already have three plays (picked) for the next series coming out,” Bobby Petrino said.

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FOR OPENERS: Quick, name the last Arkansas coach to lose his first game for the school.

That dubious distinction goes to the Razorbacks’ most successful leader of them all, Frank Broyles, who lost to Baylor 12-0 in the 1958 opener. In fact, Broyles’ Hogs lost their first six games that year before winning four in a row to end the season. It was one of only two losing seasons for Broyles in his 19-year coaching career at Arkansas.

Petrino is the Razorbacks’ seventh coach since Broyles, and the other six went 5-0-1 in their debuts.

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MORE HISTORY: Petrino enters his fifth season as a college coach. He won all four of his season openers at Louisville — each against rival Kentucky.

Louisville beat Kentucky 40-24 in 2003, 28-0 in 2004, 31-24 in 2005 and 58-29 in 2006.

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Pig points ... Arkansas beat UNLV 14-10 to open the 2001 season. Since then, the Razorbacks have either scored or given up at least 40 points in every opener. ... Arkansas and Western Illinois have never met. ... Arkansas beat Troy 46-26 to open last season.

Originally published 08:00 p.m., August 27, 2008
Updated 08:00 p.m., August 28, 2008