UAB head coach — and former NFL quarterback — Trent Dilfer offered up high praise and a unique description for Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino in his most recent press conference.
“Puppet master,” Dilfer said when asked how to best describe Petrino. “He’s consistently been a puppet master offensively for years.”
As Dilfer and the Blazers (1-1) prepare for this weekend’s matchup with the Razorbacks (1-1) in Fayetteville, he knows he has his hands full with Petrino, who has rejuvenated a previously anemic offense into one of the most explosive units in the country during the early portions of the season.
“One, he gets the right pieces,” Dilfer said. “He knows what his offense needs from a skill set standpoint, and he gets them. And why wouldn’t you go play for Bobby? He’s got a track record of putting up massive numbers and getting guys to the NFL. It’s hard not to go play for him if you’re a skill player.
“Once you get there he demands so much of your skill set, including your mind. Because he wants to be the puppet master. He is the puppet master. He knows the weakness of every defense, and he’s going to call a play, because he’s got an arsenal to call, he’s going to call a play that attacks your weakness.”
[You might be interested in: Arkansas Football Week 3 Injury Report]
Arkansas trails only Ole Miss in total offense nationally with an average of 667.5 yards per game, which is 71 yards more than the next highest offensive output in the country.
Defense has been as close to a bright spot as there is for UAB, who followed up a 41-3 win over Alcorn State in its season-opener with a 32-6 thumping delivered by Louisiana Monroe.
When it comes to game-planning for Petrino’s high-octane offense, Dilfer understands the challenges of keeping up on the chess board.
“He does a lot like we would like to do — we haven’t been able to do it yet — but he makes you play eating your soup left-handed,” Dilfer said. “He’s constantly putting you in a position of weakness where you’re uncomfortable.
“If you’re trying to play a 1-High defense, he’s got every 1-High beater. If you’re trying to play a certain front, he’s got every front beater. If you’re trying to take away surface players, he’ll add a surface player. If you’re trying to play a 2-High Shell, he can attack you every which way. He’s got an answer for everything you’ve got.”
The praise didn’t stop there from Dilfer, who wrapped his statement by comparing Petrino’s offensive mind to the greats, including the man who orchestrated the Greatest Show on Turf with the St. Louis Rams.
“He’s Mike Martz-ish in my list of innovative, creative, aggressive, attacking play-callers that I’ve ever seen,” Dilfer said. “I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say he’s on the Mount Rushmore of college offensive coaches.”
Arkansas and UAB are set to kick off at 3:15 p.m. (CT) Saturday from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network.
Discover more from Inside Arkansas
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.