Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Alabama 41, Arkansas 9
Tide cruise; Kelley perseveres for Hogs
Arkansas linebacker Gabe Richardson tackles Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith in the second quarter of Saturday night’s game in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Arkansas Razorbacks whiffed on Alabama running back Damien Harris on the first snap of the game, then muffed their first punt to give No. 1 Alabama a quick start and all the momentum.
But an interesting thing happened between that nightmare opening and the the conclusion of the Razorbacks’ 41-9 loss.
Arkansas got a glimpse at its near future.
Cole Kelley, filling in for injured starting quarterback Austin Allen, showed toughness and poise under fire against one of the nation’s traditionally most powerful defenses.
Alabama (7-0, 4-0 SEC) simply had too much firepower, piling up 496 yards in the 32-point rout of the Razorbacks (2-4, 0-3 SEC).
The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville lost its 11th consecutive game to the Crimson Tide and dropped to 4-19 in games against the No. 1 team. The Razorbacks’ losing streak to Power 5 teams stretched to six games dating to November.
Alabama Coach Nick Saban is 11-0 against Arkansas in his current job and has not lost to the Razorbacks since his 2002 LSU team fell victim to the “Miracle on Markham.”
With the No. 1-rated Alabama run defense stuffing Arkansas on the ground, Kelley had to shoulder much of the Hogs’ offensive load.
The 6-7 freshman completed 23 of 42 passes for 200 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception while showing fire and enthusiasm.
Alabama sent waves of pressure against Kelley and managed to sack him five times for 36 yards in losses and move him in the pocket with frequency. But Kelley kept plugging away, leading deep drives into Alabama territory late in both halves.
Kelley found fellow freshman Jordan Jones for a 3-yard slant pass touchdown on fourth down to cap a 13-play, 75-yard march in the fourth quarter to give the Hogs their lone touchdown.
Arkansas had two takeaways, a fumble recovery of a punt by Ryder Lucas and Kevin Richardson’s diving interception, which set up the Hogs’ first points in the third quarter.
The Razorbacks became the first team to beat Alabama in turnover margin this season.
Kelley played turnover free until a pass in traffic in the fourth quarter was tipped in the air and picked off by linebacker Mack Wilson.
The Crimson Tide held a 308-27 edge in rushing yards and a 496-227 advantage in total offense.
Jalen Hurts passed for 155 yards and 1 touchdown and had an 11-yard run for another score. Harris had 9 carries for 125 yards, including 2 touchdowns.
Harris cut back up the middle on Alabama’s first snap, leaving a trail of defenders in his wake on a 75-yard touchdown run.
Four plays later, the Razorbacks muffed their punt snap. Punter Blake Johnson corralled it deep in his own territory, then threw an incomplete pass rather than attempt to punt it.
The Razorbacks held from their own 25, and Andy Pappanastos came in for a 39-yard field goal and a 10-0 Alabama lead less than four minutes into the game.
The Crimson Tide drove 65 yards for a touchdown on Harris’ 4-yard run on their next series, and at 17-0 it looked like Alabama might be in position to rack up a landslide victory.
The Razorbacks dialed up some defensive pressure and stopped the Crimson Tide on three consecutive offensive drives, then recovered a muffed Alabama fumble to stop the bleeding for a while.
Alabama put together a 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by Hurts’ 11-yard keeper to put the Tide ahead 24-0 with 1:20 left in the half.
Arkansas capped the half with its best series yet, sparked by Jones’ 46-yard catch deep down the middle from Kelley to the Alabama 31. Brandon Martin 3 three passes for 28 yards, the last a 14-yard catch and run to the Alabama 3 with three seconds left on the halftime clock.
The Razorbacks passed up a short field goal try and threw for the end zone, but Kelley couldn’t connect with tight end Cheyenne O’Grady as the half came to a close. Kelley rushed up to an official after the play to check on why a flag wasn’t thrown on safety Ronnie Harrison.
Deon Stewart led the Razorbacks with 65 yards on six catches. Jones added 72 yards on four catches, including his second touchdown in two games.