Crimson Conclusions: Alabama vs. Arkansas
The eighth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the unranked Arkansas Razorbacks 27-14 with a smothering defense and a second half rebound from quarterback Jake Coker after a rocky, inconsistent first half. Alabama was down 7-3 late in the third quarter but exploded to score 24 unanswered points.
Second Half Tide Dominates
Alabama started the game off absolutely dominating Arkansas in the first quarter but despite having the ball for nearly the entire quarter and running up and down the field, Alabama had just three points to show for it. Adam Griffith made a 25-yard field goal and then missed another. In the second quarter, Coker threw two interceptions on awful passes and awful decisions. Despite the interceptions, the Alabama defense stood strong allowing just one touchdown in the two turnovers. In the third quarter, Alabama turned it around.
Next: VIDEO: Nick Saban Press Conference After Arkansas
As the Alabama offense continued to be extremely stagnant and the offensive line being pushed around a bit, Arkansas looked to take control of the game near midfield. Razorback quarterback Brandon Allen scrambled and looked to be on his way for a big first down when Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland stripped the ball out. The ball rolled harmlessly out of bounds and it bounced forward seemingly giving the Hawgs the first down. After going to the booth for a replay, it showed that the ball had been fumbled forward so it was brought back to the spot of the fumble, meaning the Razorbacks would face a fourth down. The Razorbacks attempted to draw Alabama offsides but the Tide defense stayed disciplined and Arkansas took the five-yard penalty followed by a punt.
Oct 10, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) catches a touchdown pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
On the next drive, Alabama’s offense managed to flip the field position and force Arkansas to drive the length of the field. Another Arkansas punt would then be followed by an 81-yard beauty of a pass from Coker to his new favorite target Calvin Ridley to break the game open. From that point forward Coker would throw a second touchdown, Derrick Henry would score his 10th rushing TD of the season, Adam Griffith would make another field goal, and the Alabama defense would force two turnovers. Coker made several big throws in the second half as well as scrambling for first downs which is something is becoming more and more comfortable with.
Defense Continues to Impress
While the Alabama offense may have been incredibly inconsistent Saturday night, the Alabama defense was just incredible. Alabama held Arkansas’ usually imposing running game to just 44 yards and the Arkansas offense to 220-yards on the night with 74 of those yards coming on a late scoring drive by the Hawgs with the game well out of hand. Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland was just flat out magnificent showing up all over the field despite injuring his shoulder at one point. Ragland has really come into his own over the last several games and has become the unquestioned leader of the Alabama defense.
Oct 10, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Brandon Allen (10) scrambles up the field under pressure from Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) during the third quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Freshman cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick continues to improve each and every week and may have had his best week, in terms of pass coverage, thus far this year. Alabama’s Cyrus Jones pitched a shutout this week allowing no catches while pass rusher Tim Williams was in the backfield several times in the game and defensive end Dalvin Tomlinson batted down yet another pass. I believe that is 16 batted passes from the Alabama defensive line this year. Eddie Jackson also intercepted his third pass of the year and is really turning into a great free safety though Geno Smith tends to be out of position at times.
FINAL STATS
PASSING
Jake Coker: 23-33, 262 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT; 7 carries, 17 yards
RUSHING
Derrick Henry: 21 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD
Kenyan Drake: 7 carries, 29 yards; 5 catches, 37 yards
Damien Harris: 3 carries, -4 yards
RECEIVING
Calvin Ridley: 9 catches, 140 yards, 1 TD
Richard Mullaney: 4 catches, 25 yards, 1 TD
OJ Howard: 3 catches, 17 yards
ArDarius Stewart: 2 catches, 38 yards
Hale Hentges: 1 catch, 5 yards
DEFENSE
Reggie Ragland: 8 TKL, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, 1 PBU, 2 QBH, 1 FF
A’Shawn Robinson: 5 TKL, 1 QBH
Reuben Foster: 4 TKL, 1 PBU
Jarran Reed: 4 TKL, 0.5 TFL
Dillon Lee: 3 TKL, 1 QBH
Geno Matias-Smith: 3 TKL
Daron Payne: 3 TKL
Ryan Anderson: 3 TKL, 0.5 TFL
Eddie Jackson: 3 TKL, 1 INT, 20 yards
Marlon Humphrey: 2 TKL, 1 PBU
Tony Brown: 2 TKL
Rashaan Evans: 2 TKL, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 sack
Shaun-Dion Hamilton: 1 TKL, 1 QBH
OJ Howard: 1 TKL
Calvin Ridley: 1 TKL
Tim Williams: 1 TKL, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 sack
Ronnie Harrison: 1 TKL
Minkah Fitzpatrick: 1 TKL, 2 PBU
Cyrus Jones: 1 TKL
Shawn Burgess-Becker: 1 TKL
Jonathan Allen: 1 TKL
Maurice Smith: 1 TKL
Denzel Devall: 1 TKL, 2 QBH
Dalvin Tomlinson: 1 PBU, 2 QBH
SPECIAL TEAMS
Adam Griffith: 2/2 FGs, Long: 35 yards
JK Scott: 4 punts, 50.0 YPP, Long: 58 yards
Cyrus Jones: 3 PR, 39 yards
Damien Harris: 1 KOR, 22 yards
Michael Nysewander: 1 KOR, 16 yards
Alabama travels to Texas A&M next week at 2:30 PM (central) on CBS.