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Arkansas

Andrew Armstrong details what Bobby Petrino brings to Arkansas offense

Alex Weberby:Alex Weber•07/29/24
NCAA Football: Arkansas at Mississippi
Oct 7, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Andrew Armstrong (2) runs after a catch as Mississippi Rebels defensive back Trey Washington (25) makes the tackle during the second half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Bobby Petrino is back in red in one of the more shocking hires of the recent coaching cycle as Sam Pittman decided to bring on the former Razorback head coach as the new offensive coordinator.

Petrino may be replacing the quarterback and several other positions, but at least there’s someone to rely on in the wide receiver room with Andrew Armstrong. He led Arkansas with 764 receiving yards last year and led in just about every other receiving category, too. With him deciding to come back, the relationship between Petrino and Armstrong is quite important.

At SEC Media Days, Armstrong revealed that Petrino has been a delight so far as the new OC.

“It’s been great,” shared Armstrong, outlining some of Petrino’s early goals for the offense. “He’s been helping us with the plays. We’re playing, we’re trying to be explosive this year.”

Armstrong is ready to get down to it this season, adding: “Talking with the players, talking with the team has been exciting.” Plus, he’s a fan of his new QB, Taylen Green, a physical specimen much like the former Razorback QB.

“With Taylen Greene coming in, the leader he is — he is 6’7. Looking at him you can already think he is a leader. He’s been great.”

Overall, Armstrong has few complaints about his new OC-QB tandem. It’s tough to lose the two leaders on and off the field for your offense, but at least in Armstrong, there’s a lead playmaker coming back.

Making a big step up from the FCS level at Texas A&M-Commerce, Andrew Armstrong wound up having a great season for Arkansas in 2023. He was the team’s leading receiver with 56 receptions for 764 yards and five touchdowns, as mentioned. The NFL perhaps could have been an option after proving himself against SEC competition, but nonetheless, Armstrong chose against it, giving Arkansas one more run.

A new quarterback will be throwing passes to Armstrong as well. KJ Jefferson is now playing in the Big 12 with Gus Malzhan and the UCF Knights. Sam Pittman and offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino brought in Taylen Green via Boise State and the NCAA transfer portal, ideally hoping for a slight upgrade at the position, which will be tough following the gritty dual-threat play Jefferson reliably provided for so long.