FAYETTEVILLE — There was more action Saturday at the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta that impacted the Arkansas Razorbacks’ near future than there appeared to be in Fayetteville.

Incoming Athletic Director Jeff Long was in Walton Arena for the Arkansas basketball team’s victory over Oral Roberts, but he did not give the media an update on his search for a head football coach.

Stopped briefly by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Long offered only a quick remark that the search was “going well” before he headed off.

Meanwhile, in Atlanta, LSU defensive back Jonathan Zenon might have paved Arkansas’ path to the Cotton Bowl with his 18-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, leading the Tigers to a 21-14 victory over Tennessee.

Bowl matchups won’t be announced officially until today, but the Cotton Bowl plans to invite Arkansas, according to sources with knowledge of the selection process.

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The Capital One Bowl has first selection of all SEC teams not playing in a BCS game, and the bowl based in Orlando, Fla., is expected to choose Florida.

The Dallas-based Cotton Bowl then has first choice of an plans to pick Arkansas, likely against Big 12 Championship Game loser Missouri.

Cotton Bowl President Rick Baker said Tuesday that Houston Nutt’s departure as Arkansas’ coach would have no impact on whether the Razorbacks would be selected by the Cotton Bowl.

“Certainly, we’re going to miss Houston, but we invite a university and a team, not one person,” Baker said. “We’re still very interested in Arkansas.” Arkansas most recently played in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1, 2002, when Oklahoma beat the Razorbacks 10-3.

LSU Coach Les Miles’ apparent decision to remain with the Tigers could trigger a quicker resolution in the Tommy Tuberville saga at Auburn.

Tuberville has a $ 200, 000-a-year raise and a contract extension waiting for his signature at Auburn, but college insiders believe he has been waiting to see what developed in Baton Rouge before deciding on his future.

Tuberville is still a candidate at Arkansas and is believed to be high on Arkansas’ radar, if not the Razorbacks’ top choice to replace Nutt, who bolted early last week for the head coaching post at Ole Miss.

Arkansas interim head coach Reggie Herring said he has had discussions with Long.

“I have a firm belief and faith after visiting with Jeff that he has Arkansas’ best interests at heart,” Herring said. “Whoever he hires, it will be somebody Arkansas people will be extremely proud of.

“ In fairness to the players, it’s time for every Razorback fan in every corner of the state to get behind Jeff Long and put this program back into order. That’s one that represents the whole state of Arkansas.” Herring’s candidacy at Arkansas, some believe, is beginning to gain momentum.

“One thing I’ve told Jeff Long was I was not going to politic for this job for the next three weeks,” Herring said. “He knows where I’m coming from.” Information for this article was contributed by Bob Holt of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.