It was a bit of an odd start to the 11 a.m. kickoff for Alabama.
Arkansas came out looking to set the tone early in the trenches as the defense was able to hold the Alabama rushing attack to under 30 yards in the first quarter.
Quarterback Mac Jones also saw some struggles early as he was unable to push the ball down the field like he usually has in the numerous weeks prior.
But everything got going for the Crimson Tide after wide receiver DeVonta Smith returned an 84-yard punt for a touchdown and from then on Alabama’s offense woke up. The offensive line, who is missing right tackle Evan Neal, got into the swing of things a bit more in the run game as Najee Harris powered into the endzone for two touchdowns.
Alabama’s offensive leaders in the first half:
Mac Jones: 17/22 156 yards
Najee Harris: 14 carries 46 yards 2 touchdowns
Brian Robinson: 7 carries 24 yards 2 touchdowns
Miller Forristall: 5 catches 43 yards
Alabama’s defense stepped up big time through the offense’s struggles as it consistently disrupted Arkansas quarterback Felipe Franks.
Outside linebacker Will Anderson brought down Franks twice in the first half and defensive tackle D.J. Dale recovered a fumble which set up an Alabama touchdown.
Alabama’s defensive leaders in the first half:
Will Anderson: 2 tackles 2.0 sacks
Jaylen Moody: 4 tackles 0.5 tackles for loss
Byron Young: 4 tackles 0.5 sacks 0.5 tackles for loss
The Crimson Tide currently leads the Razorbacks 38-3 at the conclusion of the first.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
