1. With 4:56 left to go in the 3d quarter, Alabama drove 74 yards in eight plays for a touchdown. Arkansas 20 - 14 Alabama.
2. Arkansas was held and forced to punt. Alabama took over at its own 20.
3. Alabama launched an 8-minute drive that stalled at the Arkansas 18. A field goal cut the Arkansas lead to 3. Arkansas 20 - 17 Alabama
4. With 4:19 left in the game, Ryan Mallett threw a disastrous interception that was returned to the Arkansas 12.
5. Mark Ingram took three rushes to go 12 yards. With only 3:18 left, Alabama had the lead. Arkansas 20 - 24 Alabama
6. Arkansas drove to the Alabama 48. With 1:48 left, Mallett threw another interception. Alabama took over at its own 35.
7. Alabama kept the ball on the ground for five more plays, running out the clock.
A few observations. First, Mallett's two interceptions killed Arkansas. As I said earlier, he had been the difference for Arkansas -- he had to play at a very high level for the Razorbacks to win. Second, Mark Ingram was incredible. The best running back Alabama has ever had carried the ball 24 times for 154 yards. Third, Alabama's quarterback -- who has not lost a game as a starter since he was in the 8th grade -- made plays as needed, while not making any more huge mistakes.
Finally, this has to go down as one of the all-time great Alabama wins. For the first 35 minutes of this game, almost everything went Arkansas's way. Alabama was 13 points behind -- they were on the road -- they were playing in an incredibly difficult environment -- they were facing an excellent coach -- and they still won. But there is no rest for the weary. Next Saturday night, Alabama will defend the UCFC at home against the last UCF Champion -- Florida.
Alabama's record in UCFC games is now 28-12, and they have now defended their title five times.
Arkansas's record in UCFC games drops to 24-14-2.
I'm pretty sure you jinxed Mallett.
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