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Wide Receivers Coach Michael Smith on Alabama’s secondary: “They have a lot of really good players. We played against a lot of those guys last year. I know Coach Nick Saban coaches the corners so I know those guys are going to be up for the challenge. They’re going to come in here and try to disrupt us so I’ve been challenging my guys. They’re going to be ready to play and we have to be ready to play.” Tight Ends Coach Barry Lunney Jr. on play-action passes: “The play-action pass is a compliment when you run the ball successfully. It’s not just about running it, it’s about running it successfully and we’ve been able to do that. Every game that we’ve played so far, to different degrees, it’s been successful. When that happens guys load the box and get concentrated on the run, get a little bit more downhill than they should, and it opens up some play-action.” Offensive Line Coach Sam Pittman on Alabama’s linebackers: “They read their keys really well. They play downhill. They tackle well and are very physical guys. They all can really run. They’re well coached and get their eyes where they’re supposed to be. They’ll come up and hit you. Sometimes you don’t block a guy and he doesn’t make the tackle, but that’s not the case with Alabama. If you don’t block him, he’s going to make the tackle. That’s just how it is.” Sophomore Tight End Hunter Henry on playing four quarters: “We’re working on that in practice. It’s definitely a big emphasis for us on the bye week. We’ve been working on having a perfect fourth quarter and finishing. That’s one of our big goals—to finish games. We’ve been so close and we’re not tying it up at the end.” Henry on Alabama’s defense having to transition from the spread to get ready for Arkansas: “I don’t think it’s a big advantage. They’re a great defense and they have a lot of great players over there that are big and fast. I think they’re going to adjust perfectly and we’re going to play a fourth quarter ballgame.”
8:07 p.m. — And Arkansas gives it right back, trying Jonathan Williams at left tackle against 11 men within four yards of the line of scrimmage and a middle linebacker also stunting the A gap. Alabama takes over at its 48 with 7:21 top play.
8:04 p.m. — Brandon Allen scrambles to within a half yard of the first down on a third-down and long (Allen was blitzed and sacked by cornerback Eddie Jackson on first down for a big loss, with Hunter Henry unable to protect). But Allen also comes up woozy after the run, and Arkansas calls a time out, facing a fourth and half a yard.
8:01 p.m. Alabama 14-13 — This game defies description now. Alabama fumbled on a punt by Sam Irwin Hill and probably six Hogs had a shot at the ball and failed to recover it. Alabama had a chance to deliver the knockout blow at the Arkansas 43 and failed on fourth and 1.
7:45 p.m. 14-13 Alabama — Arkansas had a very poor offensive series in execution late in the third quarter, and Alabama took over at its 44 following the punt exchange and pounded out a 56-yard scoring drive in eight plays. The final 6 yards came on a toss over the middle to an uncovered DeAndrew White on a third-and-4 snap.
Blake Sims had two key completions to set up the score, with the big one being a 15-yard toss to Cam Sims at the Arkansas 12.
7:27 p.m. — While we’re thinking about it, there is 4:43 left in the third quarter. I wonder if not going for two points there will come back to bite the Hogs.
