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S U N D A Y , O C T O B E R 12 , 2014

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HOG SLOP

Despite poor offensive execution, miscues and turnovers, No. 7 Crimson Tide hangs on to beat Razorbacks By Cecil Hurt Sports Editor

FAYET TEVILLE, A RK . | The University of Alabama ended its onegame losing streak with a win at Arka nsas on S at urday eveni ng. Whether it ended a prolonged slide was a question left unanswered. The Crimson Tide squeaked past the Razorbacks, 14-13, but had a recurrence of some of the same issues from the Ole Miss loss the week before, involving turnovers and penalties. However, the Crimson Tide defense battled. UA blocked what proved to be a critical extra point, scored a fourth-quarter comeback touchdown and Landon Collins came up with a key interception to end the ﬁ nal Razorback possession. “I’m proud of the way we competed in this game,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said afterwards. “The hear t of the players won this game.” It certainly wasn’t the execution down the stretch, at least offensively. After Arkansas scored on a 54yard pass from Brandon Allen to A.J. Derby with 4:43 remaining in the third quarter, giving the Razorbacks a 13-7 lead, Alabama, which had gone three-and-out on six out of eight possessions at one point, rallied. SEE T IDE | 5C

STAFF PHOTO | ROBERT SUTTON

Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon stretches the ball over the goal line for a touchdown in the second quarter against Arkansas at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark. The Crimson Tide won, 14-13.

Crimson Tide lackluster win not entirely encouraging FAYET TEVILLE, A RK . t isn’t a quickly accessible statistic, like rushing yards or passing touchdowns. You won’t hear the stats-crammed color commentators on television mention it unless someone in the production truck is exceptionally nimble. Most things that could possibly happen in college football have happened at one time or another, so it might not be the ﬁ rst time. Still, in the context of fast offenses — and especially in the context of Nick Saban’s 100-game tenure at Alabama — it is as glaring as a spotlight.

I STAFF PHOTO | ROBERT SUTTON

Alabama defensive back Landon Collins (26) intercepts a pass in the fourth quarter to seal the Crimson Tide’s victory.

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CECIL HURT

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In the second half at Arkansas on Saturday, Alabama had one drive — one — in which it managed a ﬁrst down. That drive happened to be the game-winning touchdown drive, early in the fourth quarter. Alabama strung together four ﬁrst downs on that drive. It had a measly 10 in the game. Of Alabama’s 13 possessions, nine were either three-and-out or four-and-out, when the Crimson Tide tried —

and failed — to convert a fourth down on what Nick Saban described, fairly, as “the worst quarterback sneak I have ever seen.” Except on two drives — one set up with favorable ﬁeld position thanks to a fumble recovery — Alabama couldn’t move the ball with any sort of consistency, and for much of the game, couldn’t move it at all. After going ahead by a single precarious point, with 12:36 remaining, the UA offense didn’t record one single ﬁ rst down. SEE HURT | 4C

ONLINE

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GOING NOWHERE:

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

WINNING DRIVE:

QUARTER GLANCE:

FOUR DOWNS:

NOTEBOOK:

ANALYSIS:

Alabama offense struggles mightily against Razorbacks

A statistical look at the Crimson Tide’s win

Tide offense able to put together decisive drive when it counted

Breakdown of each quarter

How the Crimson Tide answered questions against Arkansas

Special teams miscues almost prove costly for Alabama

Tide defense passes the test against Arkansas run offense

For video and a photo gallery of Alabama’s game against Arkansas, go to www.tidesports.com

NO. 3 MISSISSIPPI STATE 38, NO. 2 AUBURN 23 Mississippi State receiver Malcolm Johnson, a former Northridge High School player, makes a leaping catch over Auburn’s Robenson Therezie near the goal line in the fourth quarter Saturday. The Bulldogs scored on the next play. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Prescott, Bulldogs take down Tigers By David Brandt The Associated Press

INSIDE SEC ROUNDUP:

S TA R K V ILLE, M IS S . | Dak Prescott ran for two touchdowns and threw for another, leading No. 3 Mississippi State to a 38-23 victory over No. 2 Auburn on Saturday. Mississippi State (6 -0, 3-0 SEC) has won nine straight games going back to last season. Auburn (5-1, 2-1), the defending SEC champion, lost for the ﬁ rst time since last season’s national championship game.

Even without Gurley, Georgia crushes Missouri | 9C

The Bulldogs took a 21-0 lead in the ﬁrst nine minutes, but Auburn pulled to 28-20 in the third quarter. The Tigers couldn’t complete the comeback, though, undone by Ricardo Louis’ fumble in the fourth quarter, untimely penalties and an incon-

sistent offense. Prescott completed 18 of 34 passes for 246 yards and also rushed for 121 yards. He threw two interceptions. Auburn’s Nick Marshall threw for 209 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while also running for 100 yards. Mississippi State won despite committing four turnovers. The Bulldogs will ﬁ nd out today if the victory was enough to jump Florida State and earn the ﬁ rst No. 1 national ranking in school history. Florida State de-

feated Syracuse 38-20. It was Prescott’s ﬁ rst game since a breakout performance against Texas A&M. For the most part, the 6-foot2, 230 -pound junior has handled the increased scrutiny well, making plays with both his arm and feet. He also had lots of help. Josh Robinson ran for 97 yards and two touchdowns, De’Runnya Wilson caught four passes for 72 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown catch. SEE BULLDOGS | 9C