Arkansas football, LSU set for a battle between interim coaches Bobby Petrino, Frank Wilson

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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football and LSU are both searching for new head coaches.

The Razorbacks (2-7, 0-5 SEC) and Tigers (5-4, 2-4) won’t be fishing in the same pool for candidates, but they’ll go head-to-head on Saturday, Nov. 15, in a battle of interim coaches.

Bobby Petrino’s fifth game in charge of the Hogs will merge with Frank Wilson’s second as the leader of LSU. The Tigers fell to Alabama 20-9 in Wilson’s debut last week, while Petrino is 0-4 since taking over for Sam Pittman in late September.

According to Petrino, the crucial test for any interim coach is maintaining a united locker room.

“I think the biggest challenge is just to keep the players motivated and keep them working together. Keep them trying to individually prepare to get better,” Petrino said. “Make sure they take care of their teammates. Have a great attitude in the locker room. I think it’s a challenge sometimes, when you get beat, to come to work with a smile on your face and attack the day.”

Petrino doesn’t have a win to his ledger, but he’s seemingly done a good job of keeping the Razorbacks engaged during a trying season. Three of their four losses since Pittman’s firing have come by one possession, and the defense made strides in the last two games against Auburn and Mississippi State.

Petrino didn’t see too many changes from LSU’s offense during Wilson’s debut. He saw a team that wanted to throw first and establish the run second. The biggest wrinkle was a two-quarterback approach, with Michael Van Buren taking over for Garrett Nussmeier in the second half.

On Monday, Wilson said he will play two quarterbacks will play against Arkansas. The Hogs faced both players last year, with Van Buren starting in the Arkansas road win over Mississippi State.

Petrino did see some changes from LSU’s defense under Wilson.

“Defensively (LSU) was much more aggressive it seemed like,” Petrino said. “They brought a lot of pressure, brought a lot of blitz zero in third down situations. Did a good job defending Alabama’s offense. They’ve got good players and they came after them and were really aggressive.”

Petrino is searching for his 138th win as a head coach. Wilson is looking for his 27th. One of the interim leaders will leave Saturday with their first of the 2025 season.

Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@gannett.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas football, LSU set for a battle between interim coaches

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