Bobby Petrino discusses his emotions leading into return to Arkansas

A game in Fayetteville versus Missouri State wouldn’t normally be highly anticipated but since former Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino leads the Bears, this isn’t just any other SEC versus FCS matchup. The Arkansas Razorbacks fired Petrino a decade ago for cause after a motorcycle accident resulted in the unveiling of an affair with a staffer.

The head coach had the Hogs at No. 3 in the AP Poll and competing in the Cotton Bowl before it all came crashing down. Only now, under Sam Pittman, have the Razorbacks regained their national prominence.

Petrino spoke to reporters about the emotions he may feel when he reenters Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday.

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“I think we’ll see when we get there, right now what I’m going to do is focus on the week and the preparation and what our players need to do,” Petrino said in his press conference this week. “I’m sure there will be some feelings and emotions when I step into the stadium but it’s really not about me.

“It’s about our football team. We have guys on the team that have worked extremely hard, people that have been here since I first came, guys that we’ve added to it, but since June, we’ve been the same team, dedicated and working hard together.”

Petrino impressed by Sam Pittman’s work at Arkansas

Although Petrino says he hasn’t spent much time thinking about his former program in the years since he’s left northwest Arkansas, he has admired the work Sam Pittman’s done. The Razorbacks went from the bottom of the SEC West to No. 10 in the AP poll in two seasons under the former offensive line coach.

“Sam’s done a great job,” Petrino said. “When you watch them play, first and foremost, you see they have deep beliefs in what they’re doing, you know? What they’re doing offensively, what they’re doing defensively, the coaches really believe in it and the players go out and execute it. What he’s done with the program, he’s done a great job.”

The Razorbacks and Missouri State Bears kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+ on Saturday in Fayetteville.