Razorbacks rewind

Alabama running back Mark Ingram breaks away from Arkansas defensive back Ramon Broadway during Saturday's game in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Broadway is one of several Razorbacks who have given up big plays in the secondary.
Alabama running back Mark Ingram breaks away from Arkansas defensive back Ramon Broadway during Saturday's game in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Broadway is one of several Razorbacks who have given up big plays in the secondary.

— Arkansas corners marked

The loss of junior Isaac Madison to season-ending knee surgery in fall camp helped create a cornerback crisis that has been a key factor in Arkansas' past two games.

Both Georgia and Alabama targeted the Razorbacks' corners on deep passes and made it pay off.

In fact, Alabama Coach Nick Saban said the third ranked Crimson Tide should have done it even more after Saturday's 35-7 victory over Arkansas.

"We endedup making a few big plays in the game because of that," Saban said.

Alabama scored its second touchdown on a trick play out of the Wildcat formation on which Julio Jones broke free down the middle and caught a 50-yard pass from Greg McElroy, who had lined up at receiver but was pitched the ball.

After the Razorbacks trimmed their deficit to 14-7 early in the third quarter, Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain called a go route for Marquis Maze down the right sideline. Arkansas cornerback Rudell Crim was in position to break up the play, but didn't get his head around and then fell as Maze made the catch at the Arkansas 39 and trotted in for the 80-yard score.

"We saw that Georgia made explosive plays," McElroy said. "We actually put in a few plays that Georgia ran. We saw what we could exploit."

Arkansas cornerbacks Crim, Ramon Broadway, Greg Gatson and David Gordon have all given up big plays the past two weeks.

Wingo works

The first successful trick play of Arkansas-Alabama game went into the Hogs' column. Freshman Ronnie Wingo, a blocking back on the punt team, took the snap on fourth-and-6 from the Arkansas 25 and ran 9 yards for a first down late in the first quarter.

"It was well executed," Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said. "Thought we'd maybe get more yards than that. He did a nice job running it."

Wingo broke a tackle short of the first down and stayed on his feet long enough to move the chains.

"It's just something we've been working on since the first day of camp," Petrino said.

Stat chat

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett fell from first to 30th in the nation in passing efficiency after completing 12 of 35 for 160 yards, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception in the loss to Alabama. Mallett's rating is now 150.80, good for sixth in the SEC.

The Razorbacks fell from second in the nation in total offense to 19th after gaining 254 total yards against Alabama. Arkansas now averages 443.3 yards per game for fourth in the SEC.

Arkansas' next opponent, Texas A&M, leads the country with 574.3 total yards per game.

Rugby ransack

Not staying true to his gambling nature came back to bite Bobby Petrino on a third quarter punt.

The Razorbacks faced a 4th-and-1 situation at the Alabama 49 trailing 21-7. The Razorbacks had just failed to convert a third-and-1 pass from Ryan Mallett to D.J. Williams, prompting Petrino, uncharacteristically, to send out the punt team.

And instead of taking his regular steps and punting away, punter Dylan Breeding was told to move a few steps to his right and execute a rugby punt.

Bad move. The punt went immediately into the big paws of Alabama's Lorenzo Washington, deflected back and was eventually scooped by Breeding.

The freshman, from nearby Hoover, Ala., tried to scurry around left end but was shoved out of bounds at the Arkansas 35, setting up the Tide's fourth touchdown.

Petrino said the Razorbacks failed to "block the edge" on the rugby punt.Oden in-out

True freshman offensive tackle Anthony Oden made his first career start against Alabama, but he did not get extensive playing time.

Oden won the job with a good week of practice over Ray Dominguez, who was plagued by five penalties in the Hogs' 52-41 loss to Georgia.

Oden played the first two series against the Crimson Tide before Dominguez took over again.

"He came up there and things just happened too quick for him," Petrino said of Oden's play. "He didn't have his eyes in the right spot, didn't have his feet in the right spot, gave up a couple of hits [to the quarterback] early.

"He's going to be a great player, no question in my mind. He needs to get in there and see the quickness and the speed of how it really happens on Saturday." Third lead

Sophomore Joe Adams had six catches for 81 yards to lead the Razorbacks against Alabama.

Adams became the third player to lead the team in receiving yardage in the team's three games. It was the first time this season, however, that no Razorback had 100 receiving yards.

Sophomores Jarius Wright (6 catches, 139 yards) and Greg Childs (5, 140, 2 TDs) led Arkansas in the first two games.

Sports, Pages 20 on 09/28/2009

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