Petrino brings offensive success to Arkansas

As a young coach trying to make his way in the college ranks, Bobby Petrino paid close attention to then-Florida coach Steve Spurrier.

Petrino studied video of the Gators' Fun-n-Gun offense, watching for details he could incorporate into his own passing offense. The studying paid off for Petrino, whose offenses finished in the top 10 nationally in each of his four seasons at Louisville.

''I've got a tremendous amount of respect for coach Spurrier,'' Petrino said. ''He's certainly put a huge stamp in the passing game throughout America.''

Now in his third year as the coach at Arkansas, Petrino once again has one of the top offenses in the country. The No. 17 Razorbacks (6-2, 3-2 SEC) are ninth in total offense (487.4 yards per game) and second in passing (360.2).

Arkansas will have that offense tested Saturday when it attempts to win just its second SEC road game in the past two seasons at No. 18 South Carolina (6-2, 4-2), where Spurrier is in his sixth season with the Gamecocks. South Carolina, though more run-based than most seasons under Spurrier, is still among the top passing schools in the SEC, ranking third at 256 per game.

And Spurrier echoed Petrino's respect for each other's offenses.

''I have a lot of admiration for what he did a Louisville,'' Spurrier said. ''He's done a super job, and I always admire those head coaches that call the plays and run the offense. That's what he does, and he does it extremely well.''

Petrino's transition at Arkansas wasn't smooth one at first. He never averaged fewer than 34.6 points during his four seasons at Louisville, but following a brief stint with the Atlanta Falcons, his offense averaged just 21.9 points during his first season in 2008.

It didn't take long for Arkansas to start resembling those Louisville teams, though. The Razorbacks averaged 36 points last season and are second in the SEC and 20th nationally this season at 35 points per game.

''The first thing is there's high standards amongst the people involved in the offense, both players and coaches,'' Arkansas receivers coach Kris Cinkovich said. ''There's a level you're expected to uphold, and I think that has a lot to do with it.

''Then the young guys come in and they're kind of bred by the older guys to understand that. That is a big part of it. I do think it's a great offense.''

The offense got a big boost in talent last season when quarterback Ryan Mallett became eligible to play after transferring from Michigan. Mallett threw for a school-record 3,624 yards and 30 touchdowns, helped by a trio of talented receivers in Greg Childs, Joe Adams and Jarius Wright as well as tight end D.J. Williams.

Petrino's offense was one of the reasons Mallett decided to come to Arkansas, and he credited both the offense and the Razorbacks' depth for the success.

''Obviously, the scheme is part of it, but we've got guys that can make plays when they get the football in their hands,'' Mallett said. ''There's always somebody open. I guess that's the secret.''

Even without Mallett for more than three quarters at Auburn last month, Arkansas gained 566 yards in a loss. Backup Tyler Wilson threw for 332 yards in that game. Also, with Adams out last week against Vanderbilt with an ankle injury and Childs and Wright missing part of the game with injuries, Mallett still set a school record with 409 yards passing in a 49-14 win.

Adams is expected to return this week at South Carolina, but Childs is out for the season with a knee injury.

Wright, who had six catches for 87 yards against the Commodores, said the combination of talent, depth and Petrino's philosophies and defensive knowledge help keep the offense running.

''It's just the sum of everything put together into one,'' he said.