šŸˆ GAME THREAD Homecoming 2017 - Arkansas versus Alabama

Some of you really need to think about banning yourself from the internet during games. Reading these game threads are flat out painful anytime something goes wrong during the game. It's unbelievable how quickly some people will jump off a cliff. Just imagine if Saban was as neurotic as some of the fans, good lord.
 
INSTANT ANALYSIS: Alabama runs past Arkansas
Tony Tsoukalas | Alabama team writer


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Alabama vs. Arkansas



10/14/17

Alabama vs. Arkansas - Photos by USA Today

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It was a happy homecoming for No. 1 Alabama as a return home to Bryant-Denny Stadium resulted in a return to the Crimson Tide’s dominant performance in SEC play. Alabama had no trouble putting away Arkansas on Saturday night, blowing out the Razorbacks 41-9.

Running back Damien Harris led the way for Alabama (7-0, 4-0 in the SEC), carrying the ball nine times for 125 yards and two touchdowns. The 100-yard performance marked the first time the junior has rushed for 100 or more yards in back-to-back games in his career. Harris led Alabama with 124 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground against Texas A&M. Alabama finished with 496 total yards, including 308 on the ground

The victory marks Alabama’s 11th straight win over Arkansas (2-4, 0-3) and gives head coach Nick Saban a perfect 11-0 record against the Razorbacks.

Here’s how Alabama was able to pull off the win Saturday:

Another fast start

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Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) carries for a 75-yard touchdown against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Photo | USA Today

It took all of 15 seconds for Harris to set the tone Saturday night as he took the first play from scrimmage 75 yards for a touchdown. On the play, the junior running back took a handoff out of the shotgun before finding a gaping hole in the right side of the line. From there, he cut across the field before turning on the jets to put Alabama on the board.

The touchdown marks the second straight game Harris recorded a 75-yard touchdown run. In last week’s game against Texas A&M, he took the first play of Alabama’s second offensive drive 75 yards to give the Tide its first touchdown. Both runs are tied for the longest touchdown runs of Harris’ career.

Alabama scored on its first play from scrimmage for the fifth time in the Nick Saban era. Previous first-play scorers for the Tide under Saban were Amari Cooper on an 80-yard pass from Blake Sims on Oct. 25, 2014; Kenyan Drake on an 87-yard touchdown pass from Sims against Florida on Sept. 20, 2014; Mark Ingram on a 48-yard touchdown run at Duke on Sept. 18, 2010 and Terry Grant on a 47-yard run against Western Carolina in Saban’s first game at Alabama on Sept. 1, 2007. The touchdown runs by Harris, Ingram and Grant all occurred on the first play of the game. Cooper and Drake’s scores were on the first play of Alabama’s first possession in each game.

After holding Arkansas to a three-and-out on its first possession, the Tide wasted no time going for the kill. A botched punt attempt by Blake Johnson gave Alabama the ball at the Razorbacks 25-yard line, ultimately setting up a 39-yard field goal from Tide kicker Andy Pappanastos.

Alabama’s forced another three-and-out on Arkansas’ next possession. After starting from its own 35-yard line the Tide drove down 65 yards on eight plays capped off by a 4-yard touchdown run to give Alabama a 17-0 lead with 7:24 left in the first quarter and all but put the game to bed.

Saturday was the third time this season Alabama scored on its first three offensive possessions. The Tide also accomplished the feat against Fresno State and Colorado State.

Not this time

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Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Da'Ron Payne (94) sacks Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Cole Kelley (15) during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Photo | USA Today

The last time Arkansas beat Alabama it did so with a freshman quarterback, as Mitch Mustain started behind center in a 24-23 overtime win for the Razorbacks in 2006. Saturday, Arkansas didn’t have as much luck.

Filling in for injured starter Austin Allen, redshirt freshman Cole Kelley had an up-and-down night. The 6-foot-7 quarterback finished the game completing 23 of 42 for 200 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Kelley had his moments, driving Arkansas down the field late in the first half where he completed 4 of 6 passes for 74 yards to bring the Razorbacks down to the Alabama 3-yard line. Down 24-0 with three seconds left in the half Arkansas elected to take a shot in the end zone instead of attempting a field goal. However, Kelley’s pass was broken up by Ronnie Harrison in the end zone, sending Arkansas into the half with nothing to show for its efforts.

Kelley was able to hit receiver Jordan Jones for a 3-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal late in the fourth quarter to give the Razorbacks their only touchdown of the night.

To be fair to Kelley, Mustain put up much worse numbers 11 years ago. Mustain completed just 7 of 22 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions in his lone career game against the Tide. However, a strong Arkansas rushing game paired with three missed field goals and a missed extra point by Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin helped the Razorbacks escape pull out the victory in Fayetteville, Ark.

Punt return problems
There’s one thing Saban looks for more than anything else in his punt returners — an ability to catch the ball. Saturday, that proved to be harder than it looked for Alabama’s returners.

Freshman Henry Ruggs III earned punt return duties to start the game as regular starter Trevon Diggs was making his return from a foot injury he suffered two weeks ago against Ole Miss. Ruggs bobbled his second punt return of the night but was able to fall on the ball. His next mistake wouldn’t go unpunished. On his next return, the freshman let the ball go through his hands, allowing Arkansas defensive back Ryder Lucas to fall on it at the Alabama 32-yard line.

Ruggs was replaced by Diggs but to little avail. The sophomore bobbled his first return of the game but was able to fall on the ball. Even when Alabama did catch the ball, it continued to inflict self-punishment on itself. On the following punt return, Alabama was flagged for an illegal block, backing them up 10 yards.

Touchdown machine

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Alabama receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) celebrates with quarterback Jalen Hurts after a touchdown. Photo | Getty Images

In one of Alabama’s most unusual stats, Ruggs has as many touchdowns as he does receptions this season. The freshman receiver pulled in a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jalen Hurts in the third quarter four his fourth career reception and fourth career touchdown.

Ruggs, a former four-star recruit, has 52 yards on his four receptions and leads the team in receiving touchdowns. Interestingly enough, he is not the only Alabama with a perfect streak. Tight end Hale Hentges has two receptions for 26 yards and two touchdowns.

1992 championship team honored

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Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Gene Stallings talks with Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney on the field prior to the 1992 National Championship being honored at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Not even a heart attack could keep Gene Stallings from making his way onto the field along with other members of the championship team he coached 25 years ago. Stallings, 82, suffered a heart attack two weeks ago but was in good spirits Saturday as he was recognized with the rest of Alabama’s 1992 national title team.

Stallings, who served as Alabama’s head coach from 1990-96, led the Tide to a 13-0 record in the 1992 season, including a 34-13 win over Miami in the Sugar Bowl to clinch Alabama’s 12th national championship. The 1992 team also won the first-ever SEC Championship Game, defeating Florida 28-21 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. It’s defense held opponents to 9.38 points per game is regarded as one of the Tide’s best ever units.

Defensive back George Teague and receiver Prince Wimbley were recognized as honorary team captains Saturday.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was also one of the former players recognized at the ceremony. A former walk-on receiver, Swinney earned a scholarship at Alabama from 1990-92. He later served as a graduate assistant under Stallings from 1993-95 before coaching wide receivers and tight ends from 1996-2000. He was able to attend due to No. 2 Clemson playing at Syracuse on Friday night. The Tigers were upset 27-24 by the Orange.

BamaInsider.com - INSTANT ANALYSIS: Alabama runs past Arkansas
 
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POSTGAME NOTES – 1/1 ALABAMA VS. ARKANSAS


SATURDAY, OCT. 14, 2017 • BRYANT-DENNY STADIUM • TUSCALOOSA, ALA.


NOTES

GAME CAPTAINS: Alabama’s captains for tonight’s game vs. Arkansas were offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman, defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick and linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton.



SABAN NOTCHES 100TH REGULAR SEASON SEC WIN: Alabama’s 41-9 win over Arkansas tonight was the 100th Southeastern Conference regular season win. Saban has a 100-24 (.806) on-the-field record at LSU and Alabama in conference regular-season games (total does not include SEC Championship Games). Saban joins Paul "Bear" Bryant, Steve Spurrier, Johnny Vaught and Vince Dooley as the only SEC coaches to win 100 league games.



SABAN TOPS IN SEC WINNING PERCENTAGE: With tonight’s win, Nick Saban’s career winning percentage in regular season Southeastern Conference games stands at .8065, which ranks No. 1 in SEC history among coaches with at least five seasons in the league.



UNRANKED, NO PROBLEM UNDER SABAN: Alabama has defeated 71 consecutive unranked teams under head coach Nick Saban. The last loss to an unranked team came against Auburn to close out the 2007 season. The current streak began with a win over Colorado on Dec. 30, 2007, in the Independence Bowl. Under Saban, Alabama holds a 75-3 (.962) (71-3, .959 after vacations) mark against unranked opponents, including a perfect mark in unranked matchups since 2008.



SABAN’S 57th GAME AS AP No. 1: The matchup against Arkansas tonight was Nick Saban’s 57th career game coaching Alabama as the Associated Press No. 1 team, the most games coached as No. 1 at one school. At 51-6 (.895), Saban has won more games coaching as the No. 1 team at one school than any other coach in college football history. Woody Hayes (Ohio State) and Bobby Bowden (Florida State) are tied for second with 40 wins apiece. Bowden was 40-5 at Florida State as No. 1 and Hayes went 40-6 with Ohio State.



ALABAMA AS THE NATION’S NO. 1: Alabama has played 81 games as the nation’s top-ranked team since the inception of the Associated Press Poll in 1936. In those games, the Crimson Tide boasts a 70-11 (.865) record. Those numbers are even more impressive when you look at the 11 seasons under the direction of head coach Nick Saban (2007-present). Since the ninth game of the 2008 season (123 games), Alabama has played 57 games while being ranked No. 1, posting a 51-6 (.895) record during that span.



ALABAMA HOMECOMING ALL-TIME: Alabama’s 41-9 victory over Arkansas tonight improved the Crimson Tide’s all-time record on Homecoming to 83-13-1 (.861). The victory over the Razorbacks extended Alabama’s winning streak in Homecoming Games to 15. Alabama is now 2-0 all-time against Arkansas on Homecoming.



113-7 UNDER SABAN WHEN LEADING AT THE HALF: Under head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide is 113-7 (.942) when leading at the half. Alabama led Arkansas, 24-0, at the half tonight and has held the lead in 31 of its last 37 games dating back to the start of the 2015 season, including 13 of 15 games in 2016 and all seven games this season.



DEFENSIVE NOTES

10 POINTS OR LESS: Alabama’s 41-9 win over Arkansas on Oct. 14 marked the 76th time under head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide has held opponents to 10 points or fewer, the fifth time in seven games this season and the 20th time in the last 36 games dating to the start of the 2015 season.



HOLDING OPPONENTS UNDER 300: The Crimson Tide’s defensive performance against Arkansas on Oct. 14 marked the 93rd time in 144 games (64.6 percent) under head coach Nick Saban that the Tide has held an opponent to less than 300 yards of total offense. The Tide has now held five of its first seven opponents this season - Florida State (250), Fresno State (274), Vanderbilt (78), Ole Miss (253) and Arkansas (227) to less than 300 yards of offense.



FORCING TURNOVERS: With sophomore Mack Wilson’s interception in the fourth quarter, Alabama has now forced a turnover in 34 consecutive games. The last time the Crimson Tide failed to force a turnover was on Sept. 19, 2015, against Ole Miss.



OFFENSIVE NOTES

FIRST PLAY SCORE: Alabama scored on its first play from scrimmage for the fifth time in the Nick Saban era this evening when Damien Harris found the end zone on a 75-yard touchdown run to open the game. Previous first-play scorers for the Tide under Saban were Amari Cooper on an 80-yard pass from Blake Sims on Oct. 25, 2014; Kenyan Drake on an 87-yard touchdown pass from Sims against Florida on Sept. 20, 2014; Mark Ingram on a 48-yard touchdown run at Duke on Sept. 18, 2010 and Terry Grant on a 47-yard run against Western Carolina in Saban’s first game at Alabama on Sept. 1, 2007. The touchdown runs by Harris, Ingram and Grant all occurred on the first play of the game. Cooper and Drake’s scores were on the first play of Alabama’s first possession in each game.


SCORING STREAK CONTINUES: Alabama’s school record consecutive games scoring streak was extended to 220 games against Arkansas tonight with Damien Harris’ 75-yard touchdown run on the first play of the game. Alabama was last held off the scoreboard in a 9-0 loss to Auburn on Nov. 18, 2000.



FAST STARTERS: Alabama has now outscored its opponents 100-9 in the first quarter and 169-26 in the first half this season.



HARRIS OVER 100 YARDS FOR THIRD TIME IN LAST FOUR GAMES: With 125 yards rushing on nine attemptstonight, junior Damien Harris has surpassed the 100-yard mark for the third time this season and the sixth time in his career. The Madison, Ky., native have a career-high 151 yards on 12 carries against Vanderbilt on Sept. 23 and finished with 124 yards on 14 attempts at Texas A&M on Oct. 7.



HARRIS EQUALS WEEK-OLD CAREER-LONG TOUCHDOWN RUN: Junior Damien Harris’ 75-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage tonight equals his previous career-long run set in last week’s 27-19 win at Texas A&M. His previous career-long prior to his scamper against the Aggies was 61 yards at Vanderbilt on Sept. 23 this season.



RIDLEY EXTENDS CAREER GAMES WITH A RECEPTION STREAK: Junior Calvin Ridley extended his consecutive games with a reception streak to 37 games tonight with his second quarter 27-yard catch from sophomore Jalen Hurts. The streak ranks No. 3 among active players in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Ridley has caught a pass in every game of his Alabama career.



HURTS NOW SECOND ON ALABAMA QUARTERBACK CAREER RUSHING LIST: Jalen Hurts’ 41 rushing yards against Arkansas tonight moves him into second place on the Alabama quarterback career rushing list with 1,512 yards. The sophomore is now averaging of 68.7 yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry in 22 career games. Harry Gilmer (1944-47) tops the chart with 2,025 yards. Hurts’ total also ranks No. 32 on Alabama’s all-time career rushing list.



HURTS NOW TIED FOR FOURTH ON UA CAREER TOUCHDOWN RESPONSIBILITY LIST: Jalen Hurts’ two touchdowns (one rushing, one passing) against Arkansas tonight moves him into a tie for fourth place with Shaun Alexander (1996-99) on the Alabama career touchdown responsibility list with 50. Hurts was tied with Mark Ingram (2008-10) entering the A&M game. Harry Gilmer (1944-47) is third with 52. Hurts has thrown 31 career touchdown passes and rushed for 19 career scores.


HURTS’ ATTEMPTS WITHOUT AN INTERCEPTION STREAK ENDS: Jalen Hurts streak of consecutive passing attempts without an interception ended tonight at 206, the second-longest streak in school history. Prior to the third quarter inception this evening, Hurts had not thrown an interception since the second quarter of the Auburn game on Nov. 24, 2016.


SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

SCOTT NOW ALABAMA’S CAREER PUNTING YARDAGE LEADER: Senior JK Scott’s 131 yards on three punts moved him into first place on Alabama’s career punting yardage chart with 9,616 yards. Scott entered tonight’sgame tied with P.J. Fitzgerald (2006-09) with 9,485 yards. Scott’s 211 career punt attempts ranks second to Fitzgerald’s 238.


-UA-

Kyle@BamaInsider.com

Final Stats: Alabama 41, Arkansas 9 | BamaInsider.com
 
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