What Alabama did to Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen on Saturday night really can’t be overstated. Allen dropped back to pass 61 times, and was under pressure on 42 of those plays. That’s 68.9 percent of his dropbacks. To put that into context, Allen was pressured on 37.8 percent of his dropbacks through the first five weeks of the season — one of the highest rates in the nation. Combined, the Alabama defense finished the game with 46 total pressures, including seven sacks and nine quarterback hits. Seven different players registered at least four pressures, including backup edge defender Terrell Hall, who managed to register a sack and four hurries, despite rushing the passer just eight times. One of the most dominant team performances you’ll ever see from a pass-rushing standpoint, they made life miserable for the Arkansas quarterback. CB Minkah Fitzpatrick earned the highest grade of the game, including his 100-plus-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Quarterback grade: Austin Allen, 63.2
This was definitely Allen’s worst game of the year so far, but with the amount of pressure he was faced with, it’s hard to blame him too much. He’s performed very well under pressure so far this year, but completed just 35.5 percent of his passes under pressure against Alabama. When he was given enough time, he went 14-for-18 for 216 yards and a touchdown, but even with his early-season performances in the face of pressure, the sheer volume he faced added up on Saturday night.
