Harris, stingy defense propel No. 1 Alabama in rout
The Sports Xchange
Oct 14, 2017
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Top-ranked Alabama extended its streak to 11 straight victories over Arkansas with a 41-9 victory Saturday night.
A stingy defense and running back Damien Harris, who had 125 yards and two touchdowns, powered the Crimson Tide (7-0, 4-0 SEC).
It took a while, but Arkansas (2-4, 0-3) finally got on the board late in the third quarter. Kicker Connor Limpert made a 30-yard field goal to make it 24-3 with 4:16 left in the session.
Late in the third quarter, Jalen Hurts (12 for 19, 155 yards, touchdown, interception) threw a strike to freshman receiver Henry Ruggs III for a 20-yard touchdown to give Alabama a 31-3 lead.
Early in the fourth quarter, freshman running back Najee Harris capped a drive with a tough 4-yard touchdown run to make it 38-3. The touchdown was the second of Harris' career.
On its next possession, Alabama put in its second-team offense. The backups put together a drive that resulted in a 21-yard field goal from kicker Andy Pappanastos to extend the Tide's lead to 41-3 midway through the fourth quarter.
Arkansas added a late touchdown when quarterback Cole Kelley (23 of 42, 200 yards, touchdown, interception) found receiver Jordan Jones for a 3-yard touchdown to make it 41-9 after a failed extra point attempt.
Alabama flexed its muscle early, taking a 24-0 lead into halftime in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
It took all of 15 seconds for the Crimson Tide to get on the scoreboard. On the first play from scrimmage, Harris broke free for a 75-yard touchdown down the left sideline.
After forcing Arkansas to punt, Alabama added a field goal on its next possession as Pappanastos connected on a 39-yard attempt.
Alabama's third offensive possession was capped by a 4-yard touchdown run from Harris. On the play, Harris juked a defender, threw a stiff arm and ran through a defender on his way to the end zone for his ninth score of the year to make it 17-0.
After the hot start, Alabama's offense went cold for much of the second quarter.
Hurts, though, found the end zone late in the second on an 11-yard touchdown run to make it 24-0 just before the half.
Kelley completed a 46-yard pass to Jones to get into Alabama territory before the half's end, but could not come away with points.
NOTES: Alabama DL Da'Shawn Hand was held out for the second straight game with an MCL injury. ... Arkansas QB Austin Allen (shoulder) was held out of the contest. Cole Kelley got the start. ... Alabama hosts Tennessee next Saturday while Arkansas hosts Auburn next Saturday. ... Alabama RB Damien Harris was knocked out of the contest in the fourth quarter, and did not return. Harris appeared to be fine on the sideline once he left Alabama's medical tent.
Oct 14, 2017
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Top-ranked Alabama extended its streak to 11 straight victories over Arkansas with a 41-9 victory Saturday night.
A stingy defense and running back Damien Harris, who had 125 yards and two touchdowns, powered the Crimson Tide (7-0, 4-0 SEC).
It took a while, but Arkansas (2-4, 0-3) finally got on the board late in the third quarter. Kicker Connor Limpert made a 30-yard field goal to make it 24-3 with 4:16 left in the session.
Late in the third quarter, Jalen Hurts (12 for 19, 155 yards, touchdown, interception) threw a strike to freshman receiver Henry Ruggs III for a 20-yard touchdown to give Alabama a 31-3 lead.
Early in the fourth quarter, freshman running back Najee Harris capped a drive with a tough 4-yard touchdown run to make it 38-3. The touchdown was the second of Harris' career.
On its next possession, Alabama put in its second-team offense. The backups put together a drive that resulted in a 21-yard field goal from kicker Andy Pappanastos to extend the Tide's lead to 41-3 midway through the fourth quarter.
Arkansas added a late touchdown when quarterback Cole Kelley (23 of 42, 200 yards, touchdown, interception) found receiver Jordan Jones for a 3-yard touchdown to make it 41-9 after a failed extra point attempt.
Alabama flexed its muscle early, taking a 24-0 lead into halftime in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
It took all of 15 seconds for the Crimson Tide to get on the scoreboard. On the first play from scrimmage, Harris broke free for a 75-yard touchdown down the left sideline.
After forcing Arkansas to punt, Alabama added a field goal on its next possession as Pappanastos connected on a 39-yard attempt.
Alabama's third offensive possession was capped by a 4-yard touchdown run from Harris. On the play, Harris juked a defender, threw a stiff arm and ran through a defender on his way to the end zone for his ninth score of the year to make it 17-0.
After the hot start, Alabama's offense went cold for much of the second quarter.
Hurts, though, found the end zone late in the second on an 11-yard touchdown run to make it 24-0 just before the half.
Kelley completed a 46-yard pass to Jones to get into Alabama territory before the half's end, but could not come away with points.
NOTES: Alabama DL Da'Shawn Hand was held out for the second straight game with an MCL injury. ... Arkansas QB Austin Allen (shoulder) was held out of the contest. Cole Kelley got the start. ... Alabama hosts Tennessee next Saturday while Arkansas hosts Auburn next Saturday. ... Alabama RB Damien Harris was knocked out of the contest in the fourth quarter, and did not return. Harris appeared to be fine on the sideline once he left Alabama's medical tent.
