FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – After holding the Crimson Tide offense to 11 rushing yards in the first half, the Arkansas Razorbacks dropped a 14-13 decision to No. 7 Alabama Saturday evening in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
The Razorbacks outgained the Crimson Tide in total yardage (335-227), passing yards (246-161) and rushing yards (89-69).
Eight three-and-outs highlighted the stingy Razorback defense as the Crimson Tide was held to 227 total yards on the day, the fewest output the Arkansas (3-3, 0-3 SEC) defense has allowed this season. Alabama (5-1, 2-1 SEC) entered the game ninth in the nation averaging 554.6 yards per game.
The Razorbacks defense stunted the Crimson Tide offense to a total of seven yards in the first quarter and according to ESPN, it was the fewest Alabama has had in a first quarter under head coach Nick Saban. The single-digit yardage is the fewest amount of first-quarter yards an Arkansas defense has allowed a conference foe in over four years.
Senior linebacker Martrell Spaight led the Arkansas defensive effort with 10 total tackles while senior defensive end Trey Flowers made eight tackles, one sack and three tackles for a loss. Flowers’ sack was the 14th of his career, pegging him at No. 12 on the program’s career sack chart.
Sophomore defensive tackle Darius Philon tallied six tackles, two for a loss, one sack and a quarterback hurry on the day.
On the other side of the ball, junior quarterback Brandon Allen passed for 246 yards, one touchdown and tossed a career-high 21 completions on 40 attempts.
Junior running back Jonathan Williams punched in his ninth touchdown of the season, continuing his streak of a touchdown a game this season.
Senior tight end AJ Derby captured his third-career touchdown on a 54-yard pass from Allen in the third quarter and hauled in four passes for 77 yards.
After holding the Alabama (5-1, 2-1 SEC) offense in the first quarter, the Crimson Tide finally broke free from the Razorback defense and put up the first points on the scoreboard to open the second frame. In retaliation, Arkansas marched downfield in the ensuing drive until junior running back Jonathan Williams punched in Arkansas’ first score from three yards out. Following a blocked extra point, the Razorbacks entered the locker room after the first half trailing, 7-6.
After trading drives in the third quarter, Arkansas capitalized on its fourth defensive three-and-out to change the momentum. It only took Allen three plays to find senior tight end AJ Derby, who tip-toed in a 54-yard receiving score to put the Razorbacks ahead, 13-7.
Alabama slipped in a go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter that would prove to be the final score, 14-13.
Up next, the Razorbacks will host the Georgia Bulldogs in Little Rock, Arkansas, at War Memorial Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m. The matchup will be broadcasted on the SEC Network
Razorback fans can purchase the SEC Super Pack for tickets to the next three home games. The SEC Super Pack includes admission to Georgia in Little Rock (Oct. 18) as well as LSU (Nov. 15) and Ole Miss (Nov. 22) in Fayetteville. The three-game pack costs $199 and allows fans the unique opportunity of seeing the Hogs face-off with three SEC rivals.
Fans can purchase the SEC Super Pack online at ARKANSASRAZORBACKS.COM or call the Razorback Ticket Center at 1-800-982-HOGS. The seats for the three games will be located in the east and west upper decks of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and in the north and south end zones of War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The total ticket price of $199 for the three games includes a $35 donation to the Razorback Foundation for the Georgia game.
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