Practice Notes: Petrino expects Auburn to run ball more

Tommy Tuberville's midweek firing of offensive coordinator Tony Franklin at Auburn doesn't have the Arkansas coaches in as much a frenzy as you would think. Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino fully expected the Tigers to run the ball plenty this weekend anyway, and Franklin's departure further confirms that.

"I think we all know they'll probably run the ball a lot more," Petrino said after practice today. "They have a physical offensive line and they have great running backs, so we've been practicing to do that anyway because of what we saw in the first half of the Vandy game."

Petrino said he didn't expect to spend a few more hours inside the Broyles Complex with the assistant coaches tonight to retool their defensive gameplan. The coaches have watched plenty of tape, especially Auburn's 9-7 win over Arkansas last season in Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

 

VIDEO: Petrino addresses Auburn's changes on offense

Petrino also has a bit of an advantage with knowing the Tigers' coaching personnel and their tendencies in calling plays. Petrino was Auburn's offensive coordinator in 2002 before taking on the Louisville job, flirting with Auburn in Jetgate and bolting for the Atlanta Falcons in 2007.

"I worked with them and understand what they like in the run game, and what they like in the play-action and passing game," Petrino said. "We've been preparing as if that's what they were going to do with their personnel anyway."

But that doesn't mean Petrino expects the Tigers to toss out their Spread offense completely.

"We still have to be prepared for that, particularly on third downs," he said.

VIDEO: Tuberville talks to reporters after firing OC (Montgomery Advertiser)

Petrino told the players of Franklin's firing after practice today. Petrino said he heard the news prior to the beginning of practice at 4 p.m.

"I’ve never heard anything like that in my life — a coach being fired six or seven weeks into a season," Hogs cornerback Ramon Broadway said. "But we are going to look for the old Auburn, mostly running the ball. The head coach will make most of the calls and everybody knows Auburn runs the ball. We’ll have to run to it."

------

Here are some more notes from practice today:

— Jamar Love's surgery on his injured thumb was successful today. Two screws were placed on the bone as was a "bone stimulator," Petrino said.

"They're optimistic he could be back in two weeks," Petrino said. "It all depends on how quickly the growth of the bone starts."

— Shay Haddock will kick extra points and field goals in place of Alex Tejada again this week. The kickers had a good day in practice, Petrino said.

That might not mean anything, though, once game day arrives. As Petrino put it today: "That's how practice has been all year."

Tejada had a "long kick" conversion with the first team today and hit every attempt with the second team.

Now it's just a matter of translating that success in practice to real games.

– Brandon Marcello
Subscribe to RSS feed | Follow us on Twitter | Add us on Facebook

Filed under: Arkansas Football, SEC Football by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: October 8, 2008 at 5:50 pm