Whether it was poor field conditions or the way Arkansas’ defense was set up, the Razorbacks would not allow Najee Harris to get loose at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
In all desperation to keep his balance, it was not a game for him to produce a 100-yard outing.
However, not even a wet field could keep Harris from advancing up the Alabama football record books. During the Crimson Tide’s first and only 11 a.m. kickoff game of the season, the senior at running back earned a share of the all-time mark for career rushing touchdowns. He entered the matchup with 40 touchdowns and after scoring two versus the Hogs, Harris is tied with Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry — both Heisman Trophy winners — with 42 rushing scores.
His output of 46 rushing yards moved him to 3,461 for his career, which places him third all-time for yards.
Harris is now behind Shaun Alexander (3,565) and Henry (3,591) in his quest for the school record.
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The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder stands at 22 touchdowns, surpassing Trent Richardson’s single-season record of 21 from the 2011 campaign. Harris is second all-time for rushing touchdowns in a season, as he sits behind Derrick Henry (28, in 2015).
Frank Broyles Field was not kind to Harris, but Mercedes-Benz Stadium may serve him better.
A semifinalist for Maxwell and Doak Walker awards, he will take his 1,084 yards and 22 scores into an SEC Championship showdown with Florida. Harris looks to put together a Heisman-caliber display on the Gators.
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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.
