TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama used a little trickery, three big plays and a big, bruising defensive effort to subdue Arkansas on a soggy Saturday afternoon.
The Crimson Tide broke open a tight game with two touchdown plays of 50-plus yards in the second quarter and held down what had been a potent Arkansas passing attack to take a 35-7 victory before 92,012 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino put the blame on his shoulders, saying he did not convince the Razorbacks they could upset a top-five team on its home turf.
"We didn't really believe we could come in and win the game," Petrino said. "When you don't believe you can come in and win the game, you drop passes, you don't do the things you've been coached to do, you don't do things you normally do."
Alabama (4-0, 1-0 SEC) started conference play with a flourish after a scoreless first quarter and extended its winning streak in the series to three.
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The Razorbacks (1-2, 0-2) were damaged by a series of offensive miscues, several pass interference calls, 98 total yards in penalties and a shaky performance from a passing attack that entered ranked second nationally. Arkansas converted 2 of 14 third-down plays as it continued to struggle in those situations.
Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett, the NCAA leader in passing efficiency prior to the game, had an uneven effort and was hurt by numerous dropped passes by his receivers. Mallett completed 12 of 35 passes for 160 yards with 1 touchdown and his first interception of the year, a tipped ball in the fourth quarter.
"They brought pressure, some different pressure that we hadn't seen," said Mallett, who was sacked three times for minus-28 yards.
"That was a good football team we played out there today, a very good offensive team," Alabama Coach Nick Saban said. "I was really pleased with the defensive effort out there today. To hold those guys to seven points was really good."
Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy outplayed Mallett, throwing for 291 yards and three touchdowns.
The normally blue-collar Crimson Tide turned to a trick play to extend a one touchdown lead in the second quarter. In the Wildcat formation with Mark Ingram at quarterback, Ingram took the snap, handed to Terry Grant on an end-around and Grant pitched to McElroy at right end. McElroy heaved an under-thrown ball to an undefended Julio Jones, who made the grab, shook off Tramain Thomas and scored the 50-yard touchdown, his first in 12 games.
"That's a play we've kind of kept in our hip pocket,"McElroy said. "This is the first time we've had an opportunity to run it, but we've been looking forward to it.
"I got back there and saw him so wide open that I just didn't want to miss him. Don't credit me for an underthrown ball. I was just trying to make the completion."
Arkansas had effectively bottled up a Crimson Tide running game that ranked fifth nationally, right up until Trent Richardson turned what looked like a tackle behind the line of scrimmage into a touchdown. Richardsonshook off hits from defenders, including Wendel Davis and Thomas, made it to the right sideline and outran Rudell Crim for a 52-yard touchdown to open the scoring.
While Alabama committed no turnovers and had few costly mistakes, the Razorbacks were hurting themselves with holding calls, false starts and a lack of rhythm in the passing game.
"They didn't really stop us, we stopped ourselves in this game," receiver Greg Childs said.
Despite the gaffes, Arkansas drove 55 yards with its first possession of the second half to pull within 14-7. Mallett's 18-yard touchdown pass to Childs on a fade route briefly gave the Hogs hope.
But Alabama got aggressive on the next snap, with offensive coordinator Jim McElwain calling for a go route. Crim was running stride for stride with Alabama's Marquis Maze down the right sideline, but Crim didn't get his head around as Maze caught a 41-yard heave from McElroy and ran the final 39 yards for an 80-yardtouchdown.
"You look up, the ball's there and it's a TD, it hits you in the stomach," Arkansas defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard said.
"I didn't think it deflated us," Petrino said. "It was a great call and a well-executed play."
Mallett, pressured like never before this season by the nation's No. 3-ranked defense, was off his game. The 6-7 sophomore threw just over outstretched fingertips and fired behind and wide of his marks. The Arkansas receivers, who had no drops in Week 1, mishandled more than a handful against the hard-hitting Crimson Tide.
"Making [Mallett] feel uncomfortable was the key to it," Saban said. "They've got a very good offensive scheme. Bobby does an outstanding job. He's got a very good quarterback, so I felt very good about that."
Alabama outgained Arkansas 425 yards to 254 in total offense, piling up 185 yards on its three long plays. The Razorbacks ran 26 times for 63 yards, their lowest output of the season.
Sports, Pages 25, 32 on 09/27/2009