FAYETTEVILLE — Simultaneously, Arkansas fans are entitled to both hurt and to be proud. The pain of Alabama 24, Arkansas 20 comes first; the pride follows after a step back to reflect.
Arkansas played well enough to beat No. 1 Alabama and, much of the game, looked like the better team.
In the end, the Crimson Tide found a way, the trademark of a championship team.
The Razorbacks were done in by a two-year bugaboo — inability to run when necessary — and Ryan Mallett’s three boo-boos. Seven rushing plays for 13 yards in the second half does not offer much hope so Arkansas tried to throw when backed up and leading 20-17. Mallett’s try for a bracketed Greg Childs was intercepted. Robert Lester’s 33-yard return led to the go-ahead touchdown.
Arkansas hurried back into Alabama territory and Mallett threw another interception on the sideline. If he was trying to throw it away, the pass should have been higher or farther.
He also threw an interception in the end zone from in close, but Alabama’s Greg McElroy did the same.
Conventional wisdom said Arkansas could win if the Razorbacks protected Mallett, tackled the Alabama running backs, and got help from the Crimson Tide. Check off No. 1, most of the time, and No. 3 for McElroy’s two interceptions.
Mark Ingram has a Heisman Trophy because he is a relentless running back, strong enough to drag defenders, shifty enough to fake them.
With less than two minutes to play and Alabama on its own 40, Ingram took a direct snap and made 6 yards. No trickery. Nothing but Ingram.
Maybe Nick Saban’s respect for Mallett got the better of him, but he ordered a McElroy sneak on fourth down and the quarterback made it without a measurement. That final yard left the two teams dead even at 421 yards each.
So important and so draining was the victory that Saban completed some obligations, and, with a state trooper on each side, jogged 50 yards to say thanks to the Tide fans, who filled Section 111.
Petrino gets credit for his approach during the week, complimenting the players for confidence earned at Georgia and going through the same routine that was in place for Louisiana-Monroe.
The players knew what was at stake. They heard it every day in class and from family, friends, and media. They didn’t need dramatic schedule changes to remind them.
Arkansas had its chances, Petrino said. “We just couldn’t find a way to win it in the fourth quarter.”
Getting to the final 15 minutes with a chance to win was what he had asked of his team all week.
Much of the day, the defensive genius at Alabama was outdone by the offensive whiz at Arkansas. More than once, the Crimson Tide pass defenders seemed lost.
Arkansas was shaky at times; Alabama was more shaky, particularly in the first half.
The list of Razorbacks deserving of kudos is lengthy and naming names is risky because somebody deserving is going to get left out.
Arkansas’ open date comes at a most opportune time. Getting so close to such a big victory and falling short can have a lingering effect.
The coach and the quarterback will get everybody’s head straight during the next two weeks. Like Mallett did before the half when he grabbed tackle Ray Dominguez and explained that his job was to block and not to be a cheerleader.
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Harry King is sports columnist for Stephens Media’s Arkansas News Bureau. His e-mail address is hking@arkansasnews.com.
