NOTEBOOK: Special teams play sets the tone

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. | Before the University of Alabama defense returned to two interceptions to the end zone and the offense broke three long runs for touchdowns, one special teams play helped give the Crimson Tide the momentum it would never lose Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

It came on Alabama’s first punt attempt, after the initial possession stalled at midfield. Arkansas went for the block only to see junior P.J. Fitzgerald land on the field after being hit by true freshman Elton Ford, resulting in a roughing the kicker penalty and first down.

Four plays later, senior quarterback John Parker Wilson’s 26-yard completion to sophomore Earl Alexander, who was running a post route, set up true freshman running back Mark Ingram’s 1-yard plunge.

“That was big,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said.

“The last thing I told them was not to rough (the punter). If he hadn’t hesitated I think he would have blocked it.”

Otherwise, except for Fitzgerald averaging 45.2 yards per punt, special teams were a major plus for the Razorbacks, who had struggled with them during their first two games.

With Arkansas kicking away from him, junior Javier Arenas had three punt returns for 16 yards including a fumble, which he recovered, in the second half. He had no kick returns.

Meanwhile, Arkansas freshman Dennis Johnson had six kick returns for 142 yards — many along the sidelines — and Ford had two kick returns for 42 yards.

“I think we took some steps today,” Petrino said. “Dennis is getting better. He’s a tough kid. He can go the distance on kick returns.”

Another mark for Wilson

Although Alabama’s passing game didn’t do much Saturday, senior quarterback John Parker Wilson still set the career school record for touchdown passes on his 25-yard strike to true freshman Julio Jones with 8:31 left in the second quarter.

It was No. 42 of his career, breaking the tie with Brodie Croyle (2002-05). Incidentally, Jones also caught the record-tying touchdown last week on a 12-yard reception against Western Kentucky.

Wilson attempted only 14 passes in the game, completing six, although many of his incompletions were balls thrown away. He passed for 74 yards before being replaced by redshirt sophomore Greg McElroy. His pass to Alexander was the Tide’s longest completion.

Next up in the record chase is Alabama’s all-time leading passer. Wilson needs 190 yards to set a new mark (Croyle, 6,382).

Injuries

Senior right guard Marlon Davis (hamstring) did return to the starting lineup as expected, and was also a team captain along with senior center Antoine Caldwell and senior safety Rashad Johnson.

Alabama didn’t sustain any major injuries in the game.

Sophomore middle linebacker Rolando McClain sustained a sprained foot in the second quarter and did not return. “He’s okay,” Saban said, adding that X-rays were negative.

Despite missing the second half, McClain still led the Tide in tackles with eight, while junior backup Prince Hall had six and combined with true freshman Mark Barron on a sack,

Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Josh Chapman limped off the field with an ankle injury in the fourth quarter, and Arenas sustained a sprained toe.

Tide-bits

Although Saban and Petrino had never opposed each other as head coaches, UA offensive coordinator Jim McElwain and Petrino did on the basketball court in the late 1970s. McElwain grew up in Missoula, Mont., went to Sentinel High School, while Petrino attended Capital High in Helena. The schools and towns are approximately 115 miles apart.

The Tide has not allowed a rushing touchdown in 20 consecutive quarters, dating back to a 1-yard plunge by Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox with 3:58 left in the fourth quarter on Nov. 24, 2007.

Strange but true, Arkansas had a time of possession advantage in the first half of 21:52 to 8:08. However, Alabama led 35-7.

The Tide’s first penalty came with 5:37 remaining in the third quarter, holding on Caldwell.

Unlike most basketball teams’ tradition of throwing a T-shirt into the stands when someone makes a 3-pointer, someone on the Arkansas side shot a T-shirt into the upper deck after Arenas’ interception return for a touchdown.

Reach Christopher Walsh at christopher.walsh@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0196.