Like it is

Tide survive challenge of rising Razorbacks

Arkansas safety Alan Turner (27) watches as Alabama tight end Brian Vogler (84) and wide receiver DeAndrew White celebrate White's 6-yard touchdown for Alabama's go-ahead score in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014. Alabama defeated Arkansas 14-13. (AP Photo/David Quinn)

FAYETTEVILLE -- Anyone who watched Saturday night's Arkansas-Alabama game and couldn't see the improvement in the Razorbacks is either just a hater or should have adjusted the rabbit ears on their black-and-white TV.

It might not have been against an almighty Alabama team -- apparently even Nick Saban has to have a rebuilding year sometime -- but the Razorbacks had all the numbers needed to win except the most important ones, those on the scoreboard.

Arkansas had more total yards, 335-227, more first downs, 18-10, and won time possession 34:13 to 25:47, but it scored no points off turnovers and Alabama got half its points after a fumble.

If there is such a thing as moral victories, and everyone knows we just pretend there isn't, this 14-13 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide is proof that Bret Bielema, who will get questioned about not going for two after Arkansas' second touchdown, was the right choice to be the head coach of the Hogs.

Arkansas still hasn't won an SEC game under Bielema, but Saturday's game was the second conference game this season the Hogs should have won.

Alabama still has its winning streak against Arkansas, and Saban (8-0) still hasn't lost to the Hogs since becoming the coach of the Crimson Tide in 2007. But he aged a few years Saturday night, and while he'll probably never admit it, Bama simply survived.

The Crimson Tide were not flat after losing to Ole Miss last week nor were they looking beyond the Hogs. They were able to take advantage of what the Hogs gave them and were fortunate to win in front of 72,337 who braved rain and cold at Reynolds Razorback Stadium and refused to leave until the final second had ticked off the clock.

Alabama took advantage of breaks, but it also took the field expecting to win. Arkansas took the field hoping to win.

There was 4:43 to play in the third quarter when Brandon Allen completed a pass to tight end A.J. Derby, the converted quarterback, on the right sideline. Derby stiff-armed one tackle, stepped through another then, showed some speed for a big guy and he ended up in the end zone, completing a 54-yard touchdown play, and Arkansas lead 13-7.

It wasn't going to be enough.

It was a really good second half, especially for the defense, probably its best in three years, but it got eaten up by a first half of mental mistakes and breakdowns.

Arkansas trailed 7-6 at halftime but could have easily been ahead 17-0, only this has been a team that shoots itself in the foot with mental mistakes.

Not once, but twice, Alabama misplayed a punt. The Razorbacks recovered both, at the Bama 31 and 39, and the net result was zero points.

One of the drives was headed toward a touchdown, but Kody Walker fumbled inches before the goal line, the ball went through the end zone for a touchback. Later, a field-goal attempt went awry because of a high snap.

The Tide capitalized on an Alex Collins fumble by driving 24 yards in three plays to take a 7-0 lead on a 22-yard pass to TJ Yeldon. The Hogs dropped an interception, their second of the first half, on first down of that drive. Both of the dropped interceptions hit the Arkansas defenders in the hands.

Granted, Arkansas kept the ball away from the visitors for 19:27 in the opening half and drove 79 yards, scoring on a 3-yard run by Jonathan Williams with 3:47 to play in the half. But the extra-point attempt was blocked and Alabama led 7-6.

That 30 minutes coulda, shoulda given the Hogs a nice halftime lead, but instead put them in position of having to play catch-up, which they did but couldn't hold on.

Unlike their losses to Auburn and Texas A&M, the Hogs won the second half this time, and are getting closer to putting four mentally tough quarters together in one game.

Improvement was obvious again last night.

Sports on 10/12/2014