Bama Survives Shootout with the Hogs, 42-35
Well, that actually was quite a lot of fun, yet a little too close, thank you.
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
Jameson Williams was un-guardable on Saturday. Photo via Vasha Hunt, AP Photo
The 2nd ranked Crimson Tide survived a scare from 23rd ranked Arkansas, outlasting the Hogs in an SEC shootout, 42-35 to win their 14th straight in the series. The win secured the West Division title for the second straight year, punching the Tide’s ticket to Atlanta for a December 4th tilt with top ranked and East Division champion Georgia. The afternoon continued the recent trend of close SEC games for Alabama, as the contest was not decided until the final minute when an Arkansas onside kick floated out of bounds to preserve the Alabama victory...and once again, just like against LSU and for three quarters against Tennessee, Tide fans could breathe again. This is getting to be a habit.
Arkansas’ offense had a day, amassing 468 total yards as sophomore quarterback KJ Jefferson went 22 for 30, good for 326 yards and 3 touchdowns. Receiver Treylon Burks took advantage of another shaky effort by Alabama’s pass defense, hauling in 8 passes for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Hogs made key plays all afternoon, matching the Tide score for score much of the game. The only thing that prevented the Razorbacks from pulling the upset was an outstanding performance by the Alabama offense, who outside of the 20 point outing against LSU, continues to be the most dominant offensive team aside from the outfit from Columbus, Ohio.
Led by Heisman contender Bryce Young’s career day, the Tide amassed 671 yards. Young broke an Alabama record for passing yards in a game (559) that had stood for 52 years and tossed 5 touchdown strikes, giving him a remarkable 38 touchdowns on the season against only 3 interceptions. The much maligned offensive line had perhaps their best day yet this season, opening up running lanes for tailback Brian Robnson (27 carries for 122 yards) and, for the most part, they kept pressure off of Young. Wideout Jamison Williams continues to impress, hauling in 8 receptions for 190 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Young to Williams combination has given the Tide offense the ability to stretch the field, as Williams’ touchdown grabs on Saturday went for 79, 32, and 40 yards. Dangerous receiver John Metchie had a terrific game as well, catching 10 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown.
The Tide held a 3-0 lead going into the second quarter when both offenses began to flex their muscles. Bama scored 21 points in the second stanza with a Young touchdown strike to Metchie and two strikes to Williams. The Hogs countered with a Jefferson to Burks 15 yard touchdown as well as a one yard run from tailback Dominique Johnson and the half ended with the Tide ahead 24-14. Bama opened the 3rd quarter with a 9 play, 75 yard drive that ended when Young scrambled out of the pocket and hit freshman receiver Christian Leary on an 11 yard screen pass to extend the lead to 31-14. Sam Pittman’s Razorbacks answered quickly with a scoring drive that covered 75 yards in just three plays. Jefferson hit Burks on a 66 yard catch and run to cut the Tide lead to 31-21. Young would drive the Tide to the Razorback 5 yard line and appeared to score on a brilliant scramble, yet a holding call would negate the touchdown and a costly sack would move the Tide back to the Arkansas 29 yard line where reliable Will Reichard was short on a 47 yard field goal. The Bama defense would hold the Hogs to a rare three and out and Reichard would nail a 30 yard field goal. Bama would enter the 4th quarter with a 34-21 lead, and that is when the excitement really began.
Arkansas would not go away, as Pittman called for a fake field goal jump pass similar to the fake punt LSU pulled on Bama a few weeks ago that went for 32 yards and a score. On the play, Bama defensive back DeMarco Hellams collided with the field judge that allowed the Hogs Blake Kern to go the distance and cut the lead to 34-28. Young would lead a methodical 7 play, 74 yard drive that ended with a Cameron Latu fumble at the Arkansas 1 yard line. Suddenly, the Hogs found themselves down by 6 with possession of the ball and 8:52 remaining to pull the upset. The Tide defense rose to the occasion, forcing the Hogs into another three and out. Bama would get the ball back on their own 45 and facing a third and 10 from the Arkansas 40, Young hit Williams for Jamison’s third touchdown of the afternoon on a beautifully thrown ball to the back of the endzone and a successful 2 point conversion gave Bama what appeared to be a comfortable 42-28 lead with 5:39 to play. Yet Jefferson was clutch and marched the Hogs 75 yards in 12 plays to cut the lead to 42-35 with 1:02 to play. Only an onside kick that bounced out of bounds would preserve the Tide’s hard fought victory.
Give Sam Pittman and the Hogs a ton of credit, as they stayed right with the mighty Crimson Tide for much of the afternoon. At the same time, the Alabama offense was terrific, answering each Hog blow with one of their own. However, the Bama defense, particularly their pass defense, once again showed cracks and they did just enough to get the win. At this point of the season, the Alabama defense is what it is, and on occasion will make key plays and get stops. However, teams that throw the ball well will be able to score on the Tide defense, as the secondary simply have not answered the call often enough this year to give the Tide security on that side of the ball. The front seven have done a nice job for most of the season, but questions remain about the back line’s ability to be able to make enough plays to beat the big boys. Georgia’s steady offense looms, and it is hard to think what C.J. Stroud and the Ohio State offense would do at this stage against the vulnerable Tide defense.
But we are getting way ahead of ourselves, as it is now Iron Bowl week and the Auburn Tigers await a visit from the Tide. Bama fans are indeed hoping that this one will break the current trend and be just a little less stressful.