Time Of Possession Means Nothing
Last updated Saturday, September 20, 2008 9:26 PM CDT in Columns
By Harry King
The Morning News
FAYETTEVILLE -- Keenly aware of time of possession, 7:05 was logged in as the start time for Alabama’s second possession.
Turns out, that notation was in pursuit of a red herring. Alabama running back Glen Coffee made a joke of T.0.P. and safety Rashaad Johnson on the same 87-yard run.
During the week, the thinking was Alabama might keep the ball for 35 minutes or more, making the Razorbacks anxious by shrinking their time on offense. Turns out, Arkansas had the ball far too much in a 49-14 loss and coach Bobby Petrino mentioned that Arkansas’ 47-20 edge in first-half plays did not jibe with the 28-point deficit. Twice, ‘Bama scored on plays that began with a snap to Casey Dick. The first time the Arkansas quarterback threw to the outside and Carlton Salters broke inside. The second time, he missed his read and was flat-footed on what was supposed to be a throw-away.
A quarterback makes certain of the incomplete for the very reason that John Parker Wilson did in the second quarter, so he can try again. On the next play, with time, Wilson found Julio Jones on a 25-yard TD pass that included three missed tackles. That little ditty, one of Wilson’s eight attempts in the first half, finished a 68-yard drive that lasted 1:59. Coffee’s first touchdown run required 13 seconds. The only semi-lengthy scoring possession lasted 4:20 and included a roughing the kicker penalty.
As soon as Elton Ford ran into punter P.J. Fitzgerald, I hoped nobody heard the confident remark on the pre-game radio show that special teams would not beat Arkansas. No such luck. A Little Rock-based writer six seats to the right was listening while tooling along I-540 and reveled in repeating the quote.
The interception returns of 63 and 74 yards for Alabama TDs were damaging, but they were only part of the problem:
w Alabama made 226 yards on 20 plays in the first half, an average of 11-plus per try. On his best day of 2007, Darren McFadden averaged 9.4 yards per try.
w In addition to four interceptions, Alabama’s defensive backs broke up six passes and the linebackers, led by Rolando McClain and Brandon Fanney, tackled with authority. Arkansas did neither.
w In the trenches, the difference in the two teams was never more obvious than late in the first half when Arkansas had a first down just outside the ‘Bama 1. Twice, Brandon Barnett made nothing. On third down, Dick faked inside and rolled right where he was confronted by defensive end Bobby Greenwood. Meanwhile, Kareem Jackson was in step with intended receiver De’Anthony Curtis and Dick could not make the perfect throw that was required. On fourth down, McClain and others smothered Michael Smith.
The only question for Alabama was what Wilson was doing in the game with less than two minutes left in the third quarter and his team ahead by 35. Greg McElroy replaced Wilson in the fourth quarter and, on his third snap, threw an interception — Arkansas’ first turnover after 11 quarters. When McElroy returned, he was content to hand the ball to Roy Upchurch who went 62 yards on his third touch of the game.
For Arkansas, there were a few positives. The only touchdown that mattered was a tight end delay — a Lou Holtz favorite near the goal — for 12 yards to Andrew Davie. On a couple of occasions, Smith made nice gains on well-designed screen passes.
During his post-game, Petrino enumerated the areas for improvement and emphasized the need to stay positive. The latter could become increasingly more difficult during the next three weeks.
About this columnist
The dean of Arkansas sports writers, Harry King updates his column five days per week with the latest on the Razorbacks. A 35-year veteran of The Associated Press, King joined the Arkansas News Bureau in May of 2002. He's covered the Razorbacks since the Arkansas-Texas game dubbed the Big Shootout in 1969.
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