FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas played the Alabama Crimson Tide 51 points better than the Razorbacks did in 2012 and 2013.
Oct 11, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Blake Sims (6) looks to pass during the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Alabama defeated Arkansas 14-13. Photo Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
That left the Razorbacks one point short. By a blocked extra point, the seventh-ranked Crimson Tide escaped Arkansas, 14-13, on a rainy Saturday night before a 72,337 sellout at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Winning the SEC West game advanced coach Nick Saban’s Tide to 5-1 (2-1) heading into next Saturday’s SEC West game against Texas A&M in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Second-year coach Bret Bielema’s Razorbacks, so close to breaking Arkansas’ now 15-game SEC losing streak dating back to 2012, fell to 3-3 (0-3) and host Georgia of the SEC East next Saturday afternoon at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
Arkansas led 13-7 with 4:43 in the third quarter on quarterback Brandon Allen’s 54-yard touchdown pass to tight end AJ Derby followed by John Henson’s PAT.
Alabama, with Bielema unnoticed by officials as he bolted from the sideline onto the field trying to get a timeout, went ahead to stay on quarterback Blake Sims’ 6-yard touchdown pass and Griffith’s PAT at 12:36.
“I might try a cartwheel next time,” Bielema said. “I was trying to get the officials’ attention but obviously it didn’t happen.”
Griffith made both PATs, having kicked one after Alabama took a 7-0 lead on Sims’ 22-yard pass to running back T.J Yeldon at 8:40 of the second quarter.
After Jonathan Williams’ 3-yard touchdown at 3:47 before the half, Henson’s PAT was deflected wide left by Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen, a critical play that ultimately decided the game after Alabama won 52-0 both in 2012 in Fayetteville and 2013 in Tuscaloosa.
Griffith missed a 40-yard field-goal attempt in the rainy first half and a high, wet ball snap by Arkansas deep snapper Alan D’Appollonio in the first half never allowed kicker Adam McFain a 42-yard field-goal attempt that resulted in holder Matt Emrich sacked for a 9-yard loss.
Both defenses turned in huge fourth-and-1 fourth-quarter stops with Arkansas linebacker Braylon Mitchell and defensive tackle Darius Philon stopping Sims on a quarterback sneak at the Arkansas 43, and Alabama defensive end Xzavier Dickson stopping Williams on fourth-and-1 the next series at the Arkansas 48.
Though both run-oriented teams, Alabama could muster but 66 yards rushing and Arkansas 89 yards rushing, while Sims completed 11 of 21 passes for two touchdowns.
Allen completed 21 of 40 for 246 yards and a touchdown but his lone interception, with cornerback Landon Collins recovering when it appeared Williams had a step on it, was Arkansas’ last offensive play before Alabama ran off the final 1:59.
Though dominating time of possession, Arkansas consistently was put into poor field position by Alabama punter JK Scott averaging 44.2 yards per punt while placing seven of eight punts inside the 20.
A wet ball played havoc with both teams early in the game.
Arkansas fullback Kody Walker caught what would have been a 6-yard touchdown pass but lost control of the wet ball just before crossing the goal line. The ball skittered through the end zone for a touchback.
Griffith missed wide on a 40-yard field-goal try.
McFain never got to attempt a 42-yarder because D’Appolinio’s first off-line snap in four years was too high for holder Emrich.
Alabama scored in the second quarter, on Sims’ 22-yard pass to Yeldon, who crossed the plane just an eyelash before fumbling.
The touchdown was set up by Arkansas running back Alex Collins’ fumble, recovered by linebacker Ryan Anderson at the Arkansas 23.
Arkansas responded by mounting a 10-play, 81-yard scoring drive. Williams scored from three yards out — the Razorbacks’ first rushing touchdown in their annual game with Alabama since 2010 and Arkansas’ first score of any kind vs. Alabama since losing 38-14 in 2011.
The Tide held a 7-6 lead at halftime, though, because Allen blocked Arkansas’ extra point.
NOTES: Alabama rushed 11 times for 11 yards and held the ball for 10:27 in the first half. … Arkansas RB Alex Collins was held out of the first quarter and was benched for the remainder of the first half after fumbling on his second carry. … The sellout crowd was listed at 72,137.
