Despite all of the questions surrounding redshirt sophomore Mac Jones as Alabama’s starting quarterback, Jones and the rest of the offense responded with a 48-7 victory over Arkansas.

Play of the game: Jones threw 40 yards down the right sideline at the beginning of the third quarter, hitting junior receiver Jerry Jeudy perfectly in stride. The touchdown was Jones’ third of the game and put Alabama up 48-0.

Offensive player of the game:

James Benedetto: Mac Jones

James Ogletree: Jerry Jeudy

Fan Vote: Mac Jones

Defensive player of the game:

James Benedetto: Terrell Lewis

James Ogletree: Terrell Lewis

Fan Vote: Terrell Lewis

Notes:

• Jones’ first career start began with a few short pitches to motioning receivers, but he was on the mark on the opening possession. He completed five of six passes, with the only incompletion being a drop by junior receiver DeVonta Smith. Redshirt sophomore kicker Joseph Bulovas made a 31-yard field goal.
• Senior safety Jared Mayden did not play on defense for unknown reasons. Freshman Jordan Battle took his place in Alabama’s nickel defense and redshirt sophomore Daniel Wright played in dime.
• Freshman linebacker Christian Harris returned an Arkansas fumble 37 yards to the Razorbacks’ 14-yard line. On the next play, Jones rolled out and threw to Henry Ruggs III in the back of the end zone. After a brief review, it was called Jones’ third career touchdown pass.
• Redshirt senior outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings dove to intercept an Arkansas pass that was tipped by junior safety Xavier McKinney. The turnover gave Alabama the ball back on Arkansas’ 48-yard line. 
• After the interception, Alabama used just five plays to go 48 yards to find the endzone for the second time in the first quarter. Jones threw the ball to Jeudy on a wide receiver screen. After breaking a tackle, Jeudy trotted into the end zone for his seventh receiving touchdown on the season. 
• Junior running back Najee Harris had two rushing touchdowns in the 384 days leading up to last week’s Tennessee game. He has four rushing touchdowns in the last eight days, adding two 1-yard scores in the second quarter against Arkansas.
• Sophomore corner Patrick Surtain II intercepted Arkansas QB Nick Starkel late in the second quarter, returning it 24 yards to the Hogs’ 25-yard line. It was Surtain’s third career interception and second of the season.
• In back-to-back weeks senior corner Trevon Diggs found the end zone after he returned a Starkel interception 84 yards for the score. It was Diggs’ third interception of the season and his first pick-six of his career. 
• Jones’ best pass of the night was a 40-yard rainbow to Jeudy on Alabama’s first possession of the second half.
• Freshman quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa entered the game with 10:56 in the third quarter.
• Arkansas tight end C.J. O’Grady scored a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter, his third TD against the Crimson Tide in the last two seasons.