FAYETTEVILLE — For the 12th consecutive year Alabama beat the University of Arkansas, mostly handily although the first half didn’t feel like 41-14 because the Razorbacks moved the ball on the No. 1 team in the country.
The final score was 65-31 in favor of the Tide at Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday.
Their 14 points were the most the Tide have allowed in the first half this season.
A couple of fumbles hurt the Hogs, both turned into scores by the Tide, including a 99-yard drive in five plays that could have been demoralizing. But even in a rout, there was no quit in the Razorbacks on Saturday.
For the third consecutive Saturday the Hogs showed improvement. That isn’t about a morale victory, but just a fact. Suddenly the 1-5 Razorbacks appear able to win a few games in the second half of the season.
However, it hasn’t always been this way.
The last time the UA beat the Tide was 2005, and it was the Hogs who would win double-digit games (10) and Alabama would edge closer to firing Mike Shula.
The game was even in regulation. Alabama’s defense was good enough to slow Darren McFadden, who was honored Saturday as an SEC legend, and hold him to one touchdown as regulation ended 17-17.
Neither team could muster much in the first overtime, but in the second overtime Alabama got a touchdown but Leigh Tiffin, who had missed two field goals in regulation, missed the extra point.
Arkansas' overtime was dominated by two true freshmen, both high school teammates at Springdale.
Mitch Mustain passed to Ben Cleveland for a touchdown, Jeremy Davis added the winning extra point and no one could have guessed that would be the last win for the Hogs over the Tide. A year later, Nick Saban was hired and he hasn’t lost to any team more than twice at Alabama and never to the Hogs.
Saturday's victory kept the streak alive, and while it was fun for a half, there was not much for Razorbacks Nation to cheer in the second half as Bama kept its distance.