Saturday’s game in Fayetteville, Ark., was like a pendulum on a clock the way the momentum swung back and forth until Alabama eventually took control, beating Arkansas 49-26.
Bryce Young started the game on pace for a career day Saturday. In the first quarter alone, Young completed seven passes for 173 yards and one touchdown, as well as adding a rushing touchdown on an eight yard run. Unfortunately, with seven minutes left in the first half, Young’s day would end early as he would exit with a shoulder injury and be replaced by backup quarterback Jalen Milroe.
After taking over at quarterback, Milroe capitalized on his opportunity and led Alabama on two touchdown drives before the half to give the Crimson Tide a 28-7 lead.
Midway through the third quarter Arkansas completed a 78 yard drive with a 13 yard touchdown run by AJ Green. On the ensuing kickoff, Arkansas caught the Alabama return team napping and recovered an onside kick. Arkansas would take advantage of the onside kick, but had to settle for a field goal bringing them within eleven points of the Crimson Tide.
Minutes later, Alabama would suffer another special teams mishap, a bad snap on a punt that resulted in the Razorbacks taking over possession on the Alabama three yard line. A three yard touchdown run by Raheim Sanders and the third quarter would end with Alabama holding a slim 28-23 lead.
At the start of the fourth quarter, on a third and long, Milroe scampered for 77 yards down to the Arkansas 3 yard line where Jase McClellan would punch it in for an Alabama touchdown and give the Crimson Tide some breathing room.
The next two possessions for Alabama, Jahmyr Gibbs broke loose for two long touchdowns of 72 and 76 yards. Gibbs would finish the day with 206 rushing yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns.
In the post game press conference, when asked about Bryce Young’s shoulder, Coach Saban said, “Bryce has a little AC sprain in his shoulder. We’ll have to take it day to day. We think he’s OK.”
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