TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — 1st Quarter
ARKANSAS 0, ALABAMA 0
The battle of field position favored Arkansas early, as Brandon Barnett's 21-yard return on a short kickoff and a rushing first down by Michael Smith helped the Hogs reach Alabama territory. Arkansas held the Tide deep after Dylan Breeding's 45-yard punt to the 8, but Breeding's next punt went just 9 yards to the Alabama 30. The Crimson Tide drove past midfield with the help of a pass interference call on Jerry Franklin, but were stymied on that drive and another one that started in Razorbacks territory. Ronnie Wingo's rugged 9-yard gain on a fake punt put Arkansas on the move, and Ryan Mallett's 19-yard pass to Joe Adams to the Alabama 47 ended the quarter.
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2nd Quarter
ALABAMA 14, ARKANSAS 0
A sack and a delay-of-game penalty killed Arkansas' first second-quarter series, and Alabama finally got moving. The Tide notched two first downs, then tailback Trent Richardson turned what looked like a lost-yardage play into a highlight-reel moment, breaking four tackles on his way to a 52-yard touchdown. Alabama turned to trickery out of the Wildcat on its next possession, with quarterback Greg McElroy taking an end-around toss and hitting uncovered Julio Jones for a 50-yard score that included a missed tackle by safety Tramain Thomas. Arkansas' passing game appeared out of kilter, thanks in part to Alabama's pressure, as the second quarter rolled on.
3rd Quarter
ALABAMA 28, ARKANSAS 7
Arkansas forced a three-and-out on Alabama's first possession of the half and jumped back into contention with a 55-yard touchdown drive. Ryan Mallett's 23-yard pass set up his 18-yard fade pass to Greg Childs for the score. Alabama seized the momentum back, as Greg McElroy hit Marquis Maze 41 yards downfield past a falling Rudell Crim for a one-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. Mallett could not connect with D.J. Williams on third-and-1 from the Alabama 49, and punter Dylan Breeding's rugby-style punt on the next play was blocked by Lorenzo Washington. McElroy's 14-yard pass to Mark Ingram made it 28-7.
4th Quarter
ALABAMA 35, ARKANSAS 7
Alabama put an exclamation point on its victory by driving 99 yards in 13 plays to end the scoring. The Tide consumed 6:28 of the clock, converting three third-down conversions, including a pass to tailback Roy Upchurch for 13 yards on third-and-9, a 32-yard pass to Marquis Maze, and two pass interference calls. The final play was Mark Ingram's 2-yard untouched run at right tackle. Arkansas' Knile Davis had a long run brought back 10 yards on a holding call against Wade Grayson, indicative of the Hogs' collection of penalties on the day. Ryan Mallett threw his first interception of the year on a pass tipped by Jarius Wright and into the hands of safety Justin Woodall.
Sports, Pages 32 on 09/27/2009