Offensive line opens the way for backs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. | The University of Alabama’s offensive line had only one chance to make a first impression on the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday, and it turned out to be a lasting one.

The Crimson Tide’s blockers opened a huge hole on the first play of the game at Frank Broyles Field, and running back Glen Coffee bolted up the middle for a 17-yard gain. The play was an early indication of what was to come in a game that saw Alabama rush for 328 yards and average 9.4 yards per carry to steamroll Arkansas.

Offensive coordinator Jim McElwain actually called the play several days before kickoff.

“We talked about that play all week,” guard Mike Johnson said. “We were going to run power. That’s kind of our calling card.

“They knew we were going to run that. We knew they were going to bring it. Coach McElwain challenged us to go out and hit them in the mouth.”

The first blow was followed by a series of shots by the UA line, followed later by some haymakers.

Alabama was especially effective in running the ball to the left side — behind All-American tackle Andre Smith and Johnson — and up the middle, with center Antoine Caldwell clearing the way.

Smith credited McElwain and offensive line coach Joe Pendry for mapping out the Tide’s blocking assignments.

“This week we had a really good week of practice,” Smith said. “We focused on executing. We just had to go do what they told us.”

Alabama’s blocking up front paved the way for Glen Coffee’s 87-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, his 31-yard scoring run in the third period and Roy Upchurch’s 62-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

“Our offensive line is one of the best in the country,” Coffee said. “I’m just glad we’re running behind people like them.”

Alabama head coach Nick Saban credited the line not only for its blocking, but for its leadership in the Tide’s first true road game of the season. Alabama’s brutish play in the trenches helped take Arkansas’ crowd out of the game from the start.

“It makes us proud as an offensive line,” Johnson said. “We’re all veterans. We want the game on our shoulders.

“Why leave it up to the younger guys? Why not just leave it up to us?”

Said Saban, “That was one thing we thought we could do in this game was control the ball with our offensive line and run the ball.”

The line’s domination, coupled with two long interception returns for touchdowns, allowed Alabama to lead 35-7 by halftime. Smith said the line didn’t concern itself with the score.

The Tide had already rushed for 124 yards on just eight carries by the end of the first quarter and gained 169 rushing yards on 12 carries by halftime.

“Getting a lead didn’t change anything,” Smith said. “We always say, ‘Pedal to the metal.’ We just wanted to keep going with what we were doing.”

That’s exactly what the linemen did, and it showed in the final statistics. Coffee gained 162 yards on just 10 carries, with Upchurch running for 91 yards and averaging 13 yards per attempt. Freshman Mark Ingram scored once and gained 8.8 yards per carry to finish with 53 yards.

“We’ve won a few times in away stadiums, but I don’t think it was ever this dominant,” Johnson said.

Reach Tommy Deas at tommy.deas@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0224.