With the likes of Will Grier and Kyler Murray encountering some struggles, Alabama’s quarterback Tua Tagovailoa put on a show in the first half against Arkansas.
The sophomore from Hawaii totaled 334 passing yards with four touchdowns to just two incompletions on 12 attempts (10 of 12) as the Crimson Tide leads, 41-14. Tagovailoa found tight end Irv Smith Jr on a 76-yard score to start the game and has connected with Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III for a combined three touchdowns. He currently sits at 18 scoring passes through six games with zero interceptions and 29 touchdown passes through two seasons.
The duo of Jeudy and Smith have terrorized Arkansas’ secondary.
Jeudy is averaging 33.8 yards per reception and has two scores on four catches, while Smith is having a career day with 123 yards receiving and a touchdown on two receptions.
Alabama has even found success in the run game, as Damien Harris is the high-man with 67 yards with a touchdown on nine carries. Despite the good on offense, the Tide has struggled defensively in reading Arkansas’ play calling. Junior quarterback Ty Storey is having success with completing 17 of 25 pass attempts for 170 yards with a touchdown. Razorbacks’ head coach Chad Morris witnessed his team move the ball well against the Tide, and if not for self-inflicted mistakes, Arkansas could have this matchup much closer. Nick Saban mentioned that his defense has to be better in playing assignment football and eliminate mental errors.
With the Hogs getting the ball to start the second half, the best program in making adjustments will look to provide better action.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
