TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Greg McElroy became the latest Alabama quarterback to enjoy a career day against the Arkansas Razorbacks.
McElroy, following the lead of Brodie Croyle and John Parker Wilson before him, passed for a career-high 291 yards and three touchdowns and did not turn the ball over in Alabama's 35-7 victory over Arkansas at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
A slow start did not deter McElroy, a redshirt junior from Southlake, Texas. He was 3 of 7 for 16 yards in the first quarter, but McElroy hit 14 of 17 for 276 yards the rest of the way, including a 50-yard touchdown pass to Julio Jones on an end-around flea-flicker in the second-quarter and an 80-yard pass to Marquis Maze in the third.
McElroy's performance was comparable to those turned in by Croyle and Wilson, who were a combined 4-2 against the Razorbacks.
Croyle beat Arkansas twice in three starts, his most notable effort coming in Alabama's 30-12 victory in 2002, when Croyle, making his first start, passed for 285 yards and two touchdowns.
Wilson had his big day against Arkansas in 2007, throwing for 327 yards and four touchdowns to rally Alabama to a 41-38 victory in Tuscaloosa, including the game-winner in the final seconds.
Saturday, Alabama Coach Nick Saban said the Crimson Tide made a point of challenging the Arkansas cornerbacks, who showed a tendency on film to stay in 1-on-1 coverage. Plus, McElroy said, the Crimson Tide offensive players wanted to prove they could keep pace with a Razorbacks offense that had been getting plenty of attention in recent weeks.
Most of that hype involved Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett, who came into the game leading the nation in passing efficiency. There was little doubt who was the most effective quarterback Saturday.
"We were able to make some explosive plays today and that's really pleasing," McElroy said. "They have such an explosive offense. We had a meeting amongst the running backs and wide receivers and I said, 'We can be explosive, too.' That's all we'd heard about, was them. We wanted some respect, too, and we got that today."
Sports, Pages 33 on 09/27/2009