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Arkansas hands Alabama its worst loss in 41 years
CBS SportsLine wire reports
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Arkansas was determined to stop Alabama's Shaun Alexander. The Razorbacks accomplished a lot more than that Saturday night.
CLINT STOERNER THREW THREE TOUCHDOWN PASSES and the defense chipped in by holding Alexander to a mere 48 yards as the Razorbacks routed No. 22 Alabama 42-6, the Crimson Tide's worst loss in 41 years. "We didn't want 37 (Alexander) to beat us," Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said. "We wanted to make that quarterback beat us." The quarterback, John David Phillips, was 36-of-59 in his first two games but only 9-of-21 for 48 yards against the Razorbacks. "We had no time to throw. We had no running room," Alabama coach Mike DuBose said. "We were dominated on both sides and the only positive was the kicking game." "Any time you shut down a running back like Shaun Alexander, you will get frustrated," Alabama cornerback Fernando Bryant added. Stoerner's second scoring pass, the first-ever touchdown for Joe Dean Davenport, gave Arkansas (3-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) a 14-6 lead with 27 seconds left in the half. His throw to Michael Snowden was good for 36 yards and a 21-6 lead with less than six minutes left in the third quarter. At that point, Alexander, who scored five touchdowns against Brigham Young and had 206 yards rushing against Vanderbilt, had 12 carries for 24 yards. He finished with 48 yards on 21 attempts. Alabama (2-1, 1-1) had just five first downs after three quarters. Stoerner threw away a couple of passes, but wound up 13-of-29 for 239 yards and hasn't thrown an interception in his last 128 attempts, including 83 this year. ARKANSAS MADE IT A ROUT WITH two fourth-quarter touchdowns, after an interception at the Alabama 12 and a fumble recovery at the 3. Ryan Pflugner's 55-yard field goal narrowed Arkansas' lead to 7-6 late in the second quarter and Arkansas started from its 20. Chrys Chukwuma gained 27 yards on two carries before the Razorbacks faced third-and-13 at their 44. Two receivers took the defenders downfield and Emanuel Smith was alone on the line of scrimmage. He turned Stoerner's pass into a 20-yard gain with blocks from his fellow wide receivers. A quick pass to Snowden was good for 12 yards. On third-and-10 from the 24, Davenport, lined up on the right, took a few steps and then headed across the field. He crossed paths with another receiver and two defenders collided, leaving Davenport alone in the left flat. Stoerner spotted him, Anthony Lucas screened one defender inside the 10 and the 6-foot-7, 268-pound Davenport hurdled 5-foot-10, 158-pound Kecalf Bailey on his way to the end zone. The Razorbacks went 86 yards for their third touchdown. Stoerner, after looking and looking, dumped the ball over the middle to Smith hanging around the line of scrimmage. Travis Carroll missed a tackle and Smith gained 34 yards. On third down, Arkansas put three receivers to the left and Lucas to the right. Snowden cut across the middle and there was no defender within 15 yards. Alabama scored first after a fake punt was spoiled by Carroll. Nobody was home on a reverse and Quincy Jackson gained 21 yards. Phillips scrambled for 12 yards and a first down before Pflugner kicked a 42-yard field goal. Arkansas responded with a seven-play, 79-yard drive. On third-and-6, Stoerner and Lucas hooked up for 22 yards on a slant pattern and a first down at the Alabama 33. From the 21, Stoerner floated one down the middle for Snowden, who cut in front of safety Tony Dixon for the touchdown. Alabama's second scoring drive began after Kelvin Sigler leveled wide receiver Michael Williams, and Steve Stanley recovered Williams' fumble at the Arkansas 47.
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