Arkansas natives Gus Malzahn and Kiehl Frazier have both played games against their former home state school of Arkansas, but this time will look a little different for them. Malzahn made a name for himself coaching his way through the high school ranks, winning multiple state championships at Shiloh Christian and Springdale High School before leaving to become the offensive coordinator at the University of Arkansas.
Malzahn left Arkansas after one season with the Razorbacks and became the offensive coordinator at Tulsa before leaving to join Gene Chizik's staff at Auburn in 2009.
Malzahn has only returned to Fayetteville one time since leaving and that was in 2011 while he was still at Auburn as offensive coordinator.
Saturday will be the first time he will return as a head coach.
"To be honest with you, it's just another game for us," Malzahn said. "I've been back before and played before. We're just trying to do everything in our power to play good football, and try to come out with a victory."
While Malzahn tried to downplay going back to Arkansas, fellow Arkansas native Frazier said it will be exciting for Malzahn to go back home.
"I think it will be exciting because it's a place where he grew up and a place where I grew up, so I think it will be exciting at first, but he's such a professional guy that whenever the game starts he'll be ready," Frazier said.
One thing Malzahn has tried to do while he's been at Auburn is use his Arkansas high school football ties to recruit the state of Arkansas.
While Alabama, Georgia and north Florida will always be Auburn's main recruiting ground, Malzahn has been able to pull some recruits away from the home-state school.
Auburn signed three players from Arkansas during Malzahn's time at Auburn; Michael Dyer, Dakota Mosley and Kiehl Frazier.
Both Dyer and Moseley were dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules, but Frazier is still on the team.
Frazier was a highly touted quarterback from Arkansas, being named USA Today Offensive Player of the Year in 2010, and was expected by many to be Cam Newton's replacement.
When Malzahn left to become the head coach at Arkansas State and new offensive coordinator Scott Loeffler was hired to install a pro-style offense, Frazier struggled and was benched halfway through the season.
With the return of Malzahn's offense, Frazier was in line to compete for the starting job he lost in 2012, but halfway through fall camp Frazier decided to move to the defensive side of the ball to help the team.
Frazier's roommate and teammate, tight end CJ Uzomah, said he saw a different Frazier when he made that decision.
"He's grown so much as a player and as a person," Uzomah said. "He was willing to change positions just to help the team, and I think that says a lot for him, about his character as a person and his determination to help this team any way he can."
Now the former high school quarterback star will return to his home state, not as a quarterback, but as a receiver.
"I haven't really thought about going back (home)," Frazier said. "I don't think it will be anything like my freshman year, because I'm more of an Auburn guy now than an Arkansas guy."
Uzomah said that Frazier returning home will be a more emotional experience than Frazier has led on.
"I think it will be emotional for him, because he loves Arkansas, and going back there will mean the world to him," Uzomah said.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
