TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama improved to 11-0 against Arkansas during the Nick Saban era Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and it was never in doubt.
Next up for the top-ranked Crimson Tide?
A chance to improve to 11-0 under Saban against struggling Tennessee this week inside Bryant-Denny.
Damien Harris started right and then cut left into open field for a 75-yard touchdown run on Alabama's first play from scrimmage Saturday, setting the tone for a 41-9 blowout of Bret Bielema's Razorbacks. The victory improved Alabama to 7-0 overall this season, while Arkansas fell to 2-4 overall and 0-3 in league play.
Alabama, which was coming off some second-half struggles in last week's 27-19 win at Texas A&M, has scored in all 28 quarters this season.
"This was a good team win for us," Saban said. "Our goal was to play the entire four quarters. I think it was a goal to finish the game the right way."
The Razorbacks entered Saturday night having been competitive with Alabama the past three seasons, but the Crimson Tide were too much this time around. Alabama racked up 308 rushing yards while holding Arkansas to 27.
After the opening touchdown by Harris, the Razorbacks went three-and-out with their inaugural possession. Arkansas punter Blake Johnson then had the snap go through his hands, which opened the door for the Tide to extend their lead to 10-0 on a 39-yard Andy Pappanastos field goal.
Alabama took its third possession 65 yards in eight plays, grabbing a 17-0 advantage with 7:24 remaining in the first quarter on a 4-yard touchdown run by Harris, who broke four tackles. On the play before Harris notched his second score, Jalen Hurts passed to freshman Jerry Jeudy for 29 yards.
The score remained 17-0 until 1:20 before halftime, when Hurts scored on an 11-yard run to make it 24-0. Hurts had completions of 16 yards to DeVonta Smith and 11 yards to Calvin Ridley on that drive, as well as an 18-yard run, before reaching the end zone.
Hurts completed 12 of 19 passes for 155 yards.
"I think we need to continue to improve in that regard," Saban said when asked about the passing game. "Tonight we had some play-action passes that we weren't able to hit. I think Jalen continues to make good throws, but we need to clean up the protection in the pocket."
Arkansas had just 37 total yards until Cole Kelley threw to Jordan Jones for 46 yards to Alabama's 31-yard line in the waning stages of the first half. The Razorbacks drove to the Tide 3-yard line with three seconds remaining and without any timeouts, but Kelley threw incomplete into the end zone as the half expired.
Kelley got the start for Arkansas with Austin Allen not having recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained last week at South Carolina.
Harris had five carries for 94 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, with his 75-yard score tying last week's score at Texas A&M as the longest of his career. He totaled nine carries for 125 yards (13.9 yards per carry) and the two scores.
"We just wanted to come out fast," Harris said. "We think we've done a good job of that this season, and this was another game where we wanted to be explosive. The offensive line did a good job, and so did the receivers on the perimeter. It just set the tempo of the game."
Alabama's first-play score was its first since Blake Sims connected with Amari Cooper for an 80-yard strike in the 34-20 win at Tennessee in 2014.
The most notable play of the third quarter was Hurts getting intercepted by safety Kevin Richardson, which ended a streak of 206 passes without Hurts getting picked off dating back to the second quarter of last year's Iron Bowl. Hurts atoned for the miscue with a 20-yard touchdown strike to Henry Ruggs III with 1:25 remaining in the third to extend Alabama's advantage to 31-3.
Punt-return woes
Ruggs fumbled two punt returns in the first quarter, falling on the first one but having his second gaffe recovered by the Razorbacks on Alabama's 32-yard line with six seconds remaining.
Arkansas was unable to capitalize, losing 8 yards on a Rashaan Evans sack, and punted to sophomore cornerback Trevon Diggs, who successfully called for a fair catch. Diggs handled punt returns the rest of the game but fumbled midway through the second quarter before falling on it.
"I like it when guys get their hands up by their eyes where they can see their fingertips so they don't catch the ball low," Saban said. "Both balls Henry caught were below his waist, and when the ball drops, you develop a blind spot and enhance the chances of not making a clean catch."
Tide tidbits
Alabama's 1992 national championship team along with former coach Gene Stallings, who has battled heath issues in recent weeks, were recognized before the game. Among the Tide players honored was former walk-on receiver and current Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, whose No. 2 Tigers lost Friday night at Syracuse. Alabama has outscored opponents 100-9 in the first quarter. Junior receiver Ridley extended his reception streak to 37 games, which is every game of his career, with a 27-yard catch in the second quarter. Senior JK Scott became Alabama's all-time leader in punting yardage with 9,616. Junior safety Ronnie Harrison had a team-high 10 tackles.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.