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Jonathan Allen (93) slips though the line to block John Henson's extra point in the second quarter.
(Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas -- In a game that ends 14-13, single moments make a difference. They add up and you're never quite sure when they'll be the defining play.
Let's take a look at seven plays from Alabama's 1-point win over Arkansas on a wild night in Fayetteville.
1. Blocked extra point
For all the special team issues, it could be argued Alabama won it with a play from that phase of the game. Jonathan Allen got just enough of John Henson's second-quarter attempt to keep the Tide up 7-6 after the Razorbacks' first touchdown.
"Brandon Ivory and A'Shawn (Robinson), they got push up front, so I give them a lot of credit. They're the ones who allowed me to get inside and get my hands up. So they deserve a lot of the credit."
How much of the ball did you touch?
"I got a little tip of it," Allen said with a grin. "Just enough of it to swing it to the left."
2. Landon Collins' interception
Arkansas still had hope until Landon Collins intercepted Brandon Allen's pass with two minutes left. Running back Jonathan Williams slipped out of the backfield when Allen had to throw one across the field.
"The back was coming out and I had the back any time he released," Collins said. "He came out and I just saw him and they were trying an across-the-field throw and I sat on it. I saw the ball coming down and I just picked it off."
It seemed like it was in the air forever, right?
"Yeah it was definitely in the air for quite a bit of time," Collins said. "I had to time it right because I didn't want to come down and miss it again because I missed too many."
And there was nothing but green behind you.
"That's what my teammates told me," Collins said. "So I had to make a play."
Allen described his view.
"I was scrambling," the quarterback said. "I thought Jonathan was past his guy, and I tried to throw it up there and let him make a play, and I didn't get enough on it."
3. Bielema's sprint, failed timeout call
Alabama was setting up for what turned out to the game-winning touchdown on a six-yard pass to DeAndrew White. Arkansas coach Bret Bielema wanted to talk things over before the snap and tried to call a timeout.
Only there weren't any officials in his neighborhood. So Bielema sprinted 20-plus yards onto the field to get the officials' attention, but nobody saw him as Sims hit White in the end zone.
"I might try a cartwheel next time," Bielema said. "You guys probably don't want to see me attempt that. But very, very frustrating not to get it. I felt like I was in the middle of the play, you know. I was like within 20 yards of being in the backfield. I began to slow down because I thought for sure somebody would be able to see me.
"What happened is they subbed late and we tried to sub, but our people were not in the right positions. I just tried to get the officials' attention but obviously it didn't happen."
4. Arkansas stuffed on fourth down
The Razorbacks were down one midway through the final quarter when it faced a 4th-and-1 from the Alabama 48. Williams got the handoff, but Xzavier Dickson stopped him cold for no gain on a crucial stop.
"It's embarrassing and an offensive line to not come up with something that's so critical for our team and so critical for this game," Arkansas offensive lineman Brey Cook said.
Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland was happier with the outcome.
"They're a running team and you know they're about to run the ball," he said. "So, we was in man and my man was the running back, so I tried to shoot the gap."
5. Go for 2?
The blocked extra point from the first half led to a decision for Bielema in the third. AJ Derby scored on a 54-yard touchdown pass to put the Hogs up 13-7 with 4:43 left in the quarter.
Should Arkansas have gone for two for the even seven-point edge?
"No," Bielema said. "We made a decision at halftime that we were going to go for two in the fourth quarter. So obviously at that point we didn't."
6. Alabama's first touchdown
The Tide wasn't doing much offensively, so a recovered fumble deep at the Arkansas' 23 in the second quarter was a boost. Sims found T.J. Yeldon for the 22-yard touchdown on third down to give Alabama the 7-0 lead.
"Arkansas had a great defense called, just rolled out to the left and T.J. reacted the right way," Sims said. "And touchdown."
7. Clock rolled, game ended after flag
There was considerable confusion in the closing moments. Lining up for a third-and-2 play at the Arkansas 43, Alabama was called for a false start. The clock ran after marking off five yards and Yeldon's third-and-7 run was the final play of the game.
"I tried to get an answer on that and was unable to do that," Bielema said. "They got off the field pretty quick. Jeff, the boundary official there said the clock was at 1:01. I wasn't able to follow up with the question. A lot of great opportunity for everybody to get better."
College football rules expert Dave Cutaia discussed the play and the rules with fans on Twitter. Check out their conversation on the topic.