TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Arkansas’ defense held Alabama in-check better than any other team this season.
The Crimson Tide was held to its lowest point output of the season Saturday, but it wasn't enough in the Razorbacks' 27-14 loss at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Brooks Ellis had 15 tackles, leading a defense that put pressure on Alabama quarterback Jake Coker and limited Derrick Henry to 95 yards on 27 carries. Henry, who had a short touchdown run, entered the game averaging 6.1 yards per run.
“Our defense I thought had a good game plan and had a lot of really good plays,” Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said. “Brooks Ellis…just continues to get better every week.”
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Nine of Ellis’ tackles came in the first half and 13 were unassisted, doubling his total of solo tackles this season. The junior also had 2.5 tackles for a loss.
On its first two drives, Alabama gained 140 yards on 27 plays and got inside the 10-yard line, but came away with only three points. Adam Griffith missed a 25-yard field goal on the Tide’s second possession after making one on the first drive.
Arkansas’ defense clamped down on the Tide for most of the second and third quarters, allowing only 109 yards over the next seven drives. The Razorbacks intercepted Coker twice and recorded two sacks.
“It was incredible,” said defensive tackle DeMarcus Hodge, who finished with four tackles, including one for a loss. “Everybody was shooting on all cylinders, were juiced and we just got rolling with it.”
Alabama’s defense was just as good, though, and the Razorbacks were able to score only after a Santos Ramirez interception and Alabama personal foul gave Arkansas a first down at the 12-yard line.
“On offense we didn’t do enough to win,” quarterback Brandon Allen said. “Our defense played really well. They were keeping us in it the whole time.”
Trailing 7-3 late in the third quarter, the Crimson Tide finally got a big play, as Ramirez bit on a double move and Coker hit Calvin Ridley for an 81-yard touchdown.
The play started to swing momentum in favor of Alabama and when the Razorbacks failed to convert on a fake punt, The Crimson Tide needed only seven plays to find the end zone again.
“When that happened, (the) defense just has to put the fire out and get off the field as fast as we can,” Ellis said. “We have to do our job, whatever happens on the offensive side of the ball.”
Alabama tacked on another field goal and touchdown later in the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide's final three scoring drives began at the Arkansas 43, 13 and 16.
After scoring just three points in the game's first 43 minutes, Alabama scored four times in the final 17 minutes, souring a solid defensive effort by the Razorbacks to that point.
"I thought we took certain steps last week and definitely continued to grow this week," Bielema said. "Unfortunately, we just didn't do enough things in the second half to win."