Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

9/24/2011 at 7:03pm

Image by Will Flowers

DeQuan Menzie's 25-yard interception return was a turning point in Alabama's 38-14 victory against Arkansas. Alabama went up 17-7 on the play and it was never a one-possession game from there.

Alabama 38, Arkansas 14

Why Arkansas Lost
Alabama has made it tough on the Razorback offenses before, but this was a new level of frustration. Arkansas put up its lowest total offense number in the past four meetings with 226 yards, converting just 4 of 15 third-down opportunities. It was an even worse-than-expected showing in the run game as Alabama held the Razorbacks to 19 yards on 17 carries. Toss in breakdowns on special teams and defense, and you’ve got a sure recipe for a loss. No unit is immune from criticism on this one, though the lack of offensive execution at times was puzzling.

Turning Point
Want one play that typified the day for Arkansas against Alabama? DeQuan Menzie’s 25-yard interception return for a touchdown with 4:38 left in the first half is a good place to look. Tyler Wilson read the play wrong, bounced the ball off Menzie, who then snatched it out of the air and pushed the Tide up 17-7. It was never a one-possession game from there.

Gamebreaker
Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson professed his respect for Alabama’s Trent Richardson earlier in the week. It’s abundantly clear why now if it wasn’t before. Richardson finished with 210 yards of total offense, including a backbreaking 61-yard reception for a touchdown with 9:57 remaining in the third. Alabama went up 31-7 at that point.

Tough Day
Not once was Tyler Wilson sacked by Alabama. That doesn’t mean he avoided getting hit.

Wilson was repeatedly hit and knocked to the ground as he delivered passes to teammates. Some appeared to be helmet-to-helmet shots, but the only flag came on a Dont’A Hightower hit with 32 seconds left in the third quarter.

“I felt sorry for him,” wide receiver Jarius Wright said of Wilson, who was replaced in the fourth quarter by Brandon Mitchell. The back, left side of Wilson’s white road uniform was covered in grass stains.

Wilson completed 22 of 35 passes for 185 yards with a pair of touchdowns. He was intercepted once.

No Rush
Teams have come to expect a difficult time running on Alabama. They’re traditionally strong defensively and have a knack for keeping teams from moving on the ground.

But 17 yards on 19 carries? That’s the lowest rushing output ever for a Bobby Petrino-coached team against a Nick Saban defense.

“That was an issue,” offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. “You can’t be one-dimensional.”

Arkansas’ best rushing output the last three seasons against the Tide? A 92-yard effort on 31 carries in 2008.

Streak Over
Razorback scores came easily on the opening possession of games against Missouri State, New Mexico and Troy. Not so against the Crimson Tide.

Arkansas was forced to punt (Dylan Breeding went 51 yards) for the first time to open a game. Crowd noise seemed to impact the offense early as they went three-and-out to start.

That was a sign of things to come. Arkansas was just 4 of 15 on third downs.

Personnel Report
Tenarius Wright left the game in the first quarter with what the Arkansas radio crew described as a broken arm. No status update was given by Bobby Petrino in the post-game media session.

Other potential injuries for Arkansas: cornerback Isaac Madison and safety Tramain Thomas. Their status was also unknown.

Speaking Out
“They beat us. They beat us in all three phases. ... They made all the big plays. We didn’t."
—Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino

Up Next
Arkansas (3-1) faces Texas A&M (2-1), a 30-29 loser to Oklahoma State. The game will be held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Tagged: Bobby Petrino, Alabama Crimson Tide, Nick Saban, Ronnie Wingo Jr., Tyler Wilson, Garrick McGee, Arkansas Razorbacks