Tide cruise to 18th straight win
Razorbacks struggle to run ball, commit five turnovers
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Jalen Hurts accounted for four touchdowns and Minkah Fitzpatrick had three interceptions as No. 1 Alabama extended its nation-best winning streak to 18 games with a 49-30 victory over No. 16 Arkansas on Saturday night.
The win is the 10th straight for the Crimson Tide (6-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) over the Razorbacks, and Fitzpatrick’s 100-yard interception return for a touchdown was Alabama’s 10th non-offensive score of the season.
“When we score a non-offensive touchdown, it kind of helps the offense, and it helps boost the morale of the team,” Fitzpatrick said. “We get really excited and have fun out there.”
Hurts finished 13-of-17 passing for 253 yards with two touchdowns. He ran for two more TDs.
Damien Harris added 122 yards rushing on 13 carries for the Crimson Tide, which finished with 517 yards of total offense and averaged 10.1 yards per play.
Austin Allen completed 25 of 48 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns for Arkansas (4-2, 0-2), also throwing three interceptions as the Razorbacks finished with five turnovers overall. Arkansas finished with 473 yards of total offense, but it gained only 73 yards on the ground on 36 carries.
“I’m disappointed for the fans to not get them a win today,” Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said. “We spotted them two to three touchdowns. … It’s just too much to give up to the No. 1 team in the country.”
Alabama’s winning streak is now one off coach Nick Saban’s best at the school. The Crimson Tide won 19 straight games over the 2009-10 seasons.