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Alabama Football: 3 takeaways from Tua-less win over Arkansas

By John Mitchell

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 26: Mac Jones #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after passing for a touchdown to Jerry Jeudy #4 in the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 26: Mac Jones #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after passing for a touchdown to Jerry Jeudy #4 in the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Even without star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama football had little trouble dispatching the hapless Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday night.

Alabama rolled to a dominant 48-7 victory over Arkansas on Saturday night with backup quarterback Mac Jones making his first career start for the injured Tua Tagovailoa.

Alabama’s high-powered offense didn’t miss a beat without its Heisman candidate at quarterback, with the redshirt sophomore Jones playing exceptionally well in his first start against the Razorbacks.

Jones was efficient, completing 18-of-22 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns before giving way to Tua’s younger brother Taulia early in the third quarter. Jones hit a touchdown pass to Henry Ruggs and two more to Jerry Jeudy to help the Crimson Tide build a 48-0 lead early in the third quarter.

The defense gave Jones plenty of help, forcing four first half turnovers by the Razorbacks. Arkansas starting quarterback Nick Starkel threw three interceptions and fumbled a high snap. With just seven seconds remaining in the first half, Starkel forced a throw with Terrell Lewis in his face that Trevon Diggs intercepted and promptly returned 84-yards for a touchdown to give Alabama a 41-0 lead that essentially served as the final nail in the Hogs coffin, if the opening kickoff of the game hadn’t already done that.

The win runs Alabama’s record to 8-0, and will keep them as the No. 1 team in the nation for at least a couple more weeks. With LSU’s win over Auburn, the Tigers will also be undefeated for the massive showdown between the two teams on November 9th.

Arkansas falls to 2-6 and remains winless in the SEC on the season. With only three conference games left, the Hogs look to be staring a second consecutive 0-8 conference finish in the face.

Let’s take a look at three takeaways from Alabama’s dismantling of Arkansas:

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