As Expected, Bama Routs Arkansas, 52-3
Just another day at the office as the Tide whip Arkansas.
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
Photo: Nelson Chenault, USA TODAY
In a final tune-up before the SEC championship game, Alabama emphatically took care of business and downed the much improved, yet overmatched, Razorbacks from Arkansas, 52-3 on Saturday afternoon. Alabama finished the regular season undefeated for the 5th time in Nick Saban’s tenure as head coach, and became the first team in conference history to win 10 regular season games. In addition, it was the Tide’s 98th straight victory over an unranked opponent. Arkansas finished its season at 3-7, yet behind their first year coach, Sam Pittman, fought hard each and every contest this year. The future is bright for the Hogs.
After a slow start, the Tide led 38-3 at halftime and never looked back. Note: a slow start for Alabama means offensively, the first drive produced a field goal instead of a touchdown and on its second possession, the Tide was stopped on a 4th down. Defensively, Bama gave up some yards, a few first downs, and a field goal in the first quarter...like I’ve said before, the shame of it all.
The Tide offense dug deep into its roster, playing many players and overall had a terrific day, rolling up 443 yards, amassed 24 first downs, and had control of the game the entire way. Mac “Daddy” Jones’ stats look a bit different than in games past, completing a solid 24 of 29 passes for 208 yards and no touchdowns, however he played a smart game, ran the offense beautifully, and with the Arkansas defense playing a three high and dropping eight into coverage, his patented long ball throws were limited. Jones essentially and effectively took what the defense gave him. Jones showed great patience and oftentimes throughout the contest, found his third or fourth option. His longest completion was for 23 yards to John Metchie, yet the offense controlled the ball with a nice mix of runs and throws.
The Tide backfield, behind the best offensive line in college football, ran for 216 yards and five touchdowns (2 from Najees Harris, 2 from Brian Robinson, and a nifty 80 yard touchdown from freshman Jace McClellan with 1:51 remaining in the game). Najee now has rushed for 42 touchdowns in his Alabama career, which ties him for the most in Alabama history with Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson...solid company indeed.
Photo: Nelson Chenault, USA TODAY
Najee Harris joined elite company on Saturday against Arkansas.
In terms of their statistics, the trio of Jones, Harris, and Smith had pedestrian days as Harris rushed for 46 yards on 14 carries and Smith was held to 22 receiving yards. Yet, it is important to note that the Crimson Tide did not need the trio to have monster games, as Alabama allowed a slew of players to attend the party known as “Tide Dominance on a Typical Saturday.” Nine different players caught a pass, as Jones did a brilliant job of getting many involved in the passing game, and four different backs touted the pigskin for the Tide. There will be talk about today’s numbers and how the Heisman conversation for the trio should be put on hold, yet this should not be the case. Jones had several nifty completions and was efficient, Harris kept the chains moving and crossed the goal line twice, and Smith made the highlight reel with his first punt return for a touchdown, an 84 yard sprint for six in the first quarter that gave the Tide a 10-3 lead, and essentially broke the game open.
My oh my can that man fly!
The Arkansas offense, which has had its moments this year, including 48 points, 566 yards, and 34 first downs in a last second, heartbreaking 50-48 loss to Missouri last weekend, never got their footing. The Hogs offense was limited to 188 total yards and 13 first downs. The quarterback tandem of Feleipe Franks and KJ Jefferson combined to go 9/16 for 108 yards and the Hogs threw an interception (a throwback with 2:15 left in the 4th quarter from receiver Treylon Burks that was picked off by Tide freshman safety Brian Branch). The ground game could only produce 80 yards, yet a lot of that had to do with the Bama defense, as the boys in Crimson and White had their best outing of the 2020 season. The Tide front seven lived in the Hog backfield, producing a season high eight sacks (the Alabama record for sacks in a game? 13 against Tennessee in 1975). In addition, the Tide defense caused four turnovers and after the first drive of the game, which produced Arkansas’ only points of the afternoon, resembled a brick wall, as the unit continued to show great progress as it heads into championship week. Tide back-ups got a lot of playing time and as the youngsters played well, starters got plenty of rest as eyes were turned towards the Gators and next week’s SEC Championship game.
The only negatives for the Tide: sophomore linebacker Christian Harris, who is a semi-finalist for the Butkus Award given to the top linebacker in the country, exited the game with a shoulder injury on the first play of the game. In addition, freshman tailback Roydell Williams had a 4th quarter fumble as the back-ups were marching towards a score, and Mac Daddy had an ill-advised pass in the endzone in the third quarter that was picked off, yet cancelled out due to a targeting call that gave the ball back to the Tide.
Outside of the Harris injury, we ABSOLUTELY are nit-picking, yet that is what this version of the Crimson Tide has relegated us to...and we are very thankful for that.
On to the Florida Gators!