Thursday, August 25, 2011

Arkansas goes with Wilson as starting quarterback

Arkansas' coach Bobby Petrino said Tyler Wilson will start at quarterback in the Razorbacks’ opener against Missouri State.

The junior takes over the position following Ryan Mallett’s departure to the NFL’s New England Patriots. Wilson was thought to be the starter entering fall practice, but Petrino insisted that he earn the position while competing against sophomore Brandon Mitchell.

Wilson takes over a Razorbacks’ team that finished 10-3 last season, earning its first BCS bowl game in the Sugar Bowl. Arkansas is ranked No. 15 in the preseason poll and was picked to finish third in the Southeastern Conference’s West Division.

“I think it started when we came back from the bowl game,” Petrino said. “You could see Tyler say, `This is my time, and I’m going to do everything I possibly can do to win the job as the starting quarterback.”’

Petrino said Mitchell will see action against Missouri State but he hasn’t decided when—possibly during the second quarter.

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