TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett’s style is enticing to Alabama’s Damion Square, right down to the way Mallett drops back in the pocket and stays there.
Mallett is a classic drop back passer with confidence to find an open receiver.
That’s a combination the Crimson Tide find appetizing heading into Saturday’s game against the Razorbacks.
“As a pass rusher, you do get excited when you know you’re going to play against a guy who’s going to sit in the pocket and try to execute his offense to the best of his abilities,” Square said. “Yeah, it does excite me as a pass rusher.”
For all the elements of Saturday’s game between No. 1 Alabama and No. 10 Arkansas, the most critical is if the Crimson Tide can rattle Mallett. He has been a record-setting passer in a little more than one season with the Razorbacks, is considered an early Heisman Trophy possibility and has the Hogs in position to be in contention - with a victory Saturday.
“Right now, we’re licking our chops,” Alabama linebacker Jerrell Harris said. “We’re ready to play and show the world what we can do against one of the top teams.”
Mallett is a main reason the Hogs (3-0) are a part of the national spotlight.
He has set or tied 19 school records, leads the nation in passing yards per game and was a national player of the week after last weekend’s 380-yard, three-touchdown game at Georgia. His last-minute, 40-yard touchdown pass to Greg Childs gave Arkansas a 31-24 victory.
“This team has definitely grown, leaps and bounds, especially from last year,” Mallett said. “You can tell in the week of preparation leading up to the game and how we worked. You can see that in the team, and I don’t expect anything different this week.”
There are foreboding statistics that point to an advantage for Arkansas - and history that sides with the Tide.
Mallett had 408 yards and five touchdowns against Georgia last year and followed with an abysmal game against Alabama. He was 12 of 35 for 160 yards, his lowest mark since transferring to Arkansas from Michigan.
“I don’t think what happened last year will have anything to do with what happens this year,” Alabama Coach Nick Saban said. “I think it will be a totally different challenge.”
Alabama had a star-studded defensive line last year that regularly harassed Mallett. The Tide posted 3 sacks, 8 quarterback hurries and 8 pass breakups in a 35-7 victory.
This year, through three games, Alabama leads the SEC in total defense, but the Tide are well below pace when it comes to pressuring the quarterback. Alabama has just 2 sacks, 14 breakups and 9 hurries.
“Yeah, but that’s going to come as the season goes along,” Harris said. “We’re not trying to show too much right now. We’re taking it easy.”
Sports, Pages 20 on 09/23/2010