Arkansas Razorbacks: balanced offense key against Alabama Saturday

September 22, 2011|Chris Replogle, KY3 News | creplogle@ky3.com

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - 64 yards.

That's it. That's the total yards the Arkansas Razorbacks rushed for a season ago in a 24-20 loss at home against the then No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide. That was last year.

"We're excited about our preparation for the Alabama game," said Arkansas Head Coach Bobby Petrino. "They're a very good defensive football team, basically the same guys we played last year."

Alabama exploited Arkansas' one-dimensional offense a season ago. The Bama defense teed-off on quarterback Ryan Mallett in the second-half, forcing him to make bad decisions. Arkansas' running game regrouped after that loss. All-Southeastern Conference tailback Knile Davis carried the load last season becoming one of the country's best. His season-ending injury has forced junior Ronnie Wingo into the spotlight this season.

The St. Louis native Wingo is coming off his best game as a Razorback. He rushed for a career-high 109 yards and scored three touchdowns in the 38-28 victory over Troy.

"He hit the holes harder, he broke tackles, he did a good job in open space," said Petrino. "Three touchdowns, that says enough."

Alabama's run defense is giving up only 85 rushing yards per game. That stingy defensive front is not going to stop the offensively balanced game plan. But then, again Wingo knows he has help too.

"We still have the best receiving corps in the country," said Wingo. "It will make it hard for Alabama to stop us when we have all those guys on the field at one time and make them question how they are going to stop us."

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