Hurts, Alabama defense, lead way to 49-30 win over Arkansas

The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0, 3-0 SEC) forced five turnovers against No. 16 Arkansas Razorbacks (4-2, 0-2) in a 49-30 victory Saturday night at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. Hurts found Calvin Ridley for a four-yard touchdown pass to put the Tide back up by 28.

Freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts once again did his part to lead the potent offense, accounting for four touchdowns and 253 yards passing as Alabama won its 10th straight over the Razorbacks (4-2, 0-2).

After a series of ineffective plays, Allen threw up a prayer that was picked off by Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.

While trying to stage a comeback, Arkansas controlled the ball for nearly 22 of the final 30 minutes in the game.

Nick Chubb ran for 121 yards and two touchdowns and Georgia beat SC, 28-14, on Sunday in a game pushed back a day due to Hurricane Matthew.

As a team, Arkansas’ offense combined for 473 yards, 400 through the air against the Crimson Tide, but was unable to establish a running game throughout, being held to just 73 yards on the ground. “Obviously, six games in front of us (are) guaranteed and we want to concentrate on the bigger picture, but for us to get where we need to be we just need to worry about Ole Miss”.

Tennessee has had four comeback wins and almost pulled off a fifth one last week at Texas A&M after falling behind 28-7 in the second half. The touchdown return is Fitzpatrick’s third in his career, tying him for the all-time lead for interceptions returned for touchdowns in school history.

Those blues have the very real possibility of extending into the second half of the season, especially if Arkansas doesn’t improve its abysmal offensive line play.

On playing Tennessee: “This game is a really big rivalry game and special one for a lot of people in our state, our supporters and our fans”, Saban said. We didn’t play well at all on defense.

Razorback receiver Jared Cornelius said the players felt the letdown of the loss just as much as the fans did. Afterward, a drunken man reportedly began to hurl expletives at the Razorbacks’ head coach Bret Bielema, saying, “If I had your record, I’d be f***ing fired”.

Damien Harris added 122 yards rushing on 13 carries for the Crimson Tide, which is now one game off Saban’s best winning streak at the school. But several passes by Vandy’s Kyle Shurmur were incomplete, including a fourth-down attempt that went off Kalija Lipscomb’s hands.

Though Rawleigh Williams Jr. is the SEC’s third leading rusher on the season with 605 yards on 113 carries, the Razorbacks’ running game has not meshed. The Arkansas coach was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after Arkansas had to settle for Adam McFain’s 25-yard field goal after Allen’s touchdown pass to Drew Morgan was voided by a holding penalty called on offensive tackle Brian Wallace. It only made Arkansas punt after three plays a total of three times, however. His status for the rest of the season is doubtful, Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said after the game. If that happens the Tigers would lose a home game (and the $3 million it generates) and end the season with three consecutive road games – against Arkansas (Nov. 12), Florida (Nov. 19) and Texas A&M (Nov. 24). Likewise, if the HOGS offensive line can not keep defenders out of the quarterback’s face, our season may get worse. “I think we had like 300 yards or something more in the first half”.

The game will be televised on CBS with kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CDT.