Bryce Young sets single-game passing record for the Crimson Tide with 559 yards
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 2/2/2 University of Alabama football team racked up 671 yards of total offense to outlast the No. 21/21/22 Arkansas Razorbacks, 42-35, on Saturday in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Bryce Young accounted for 559 passing yards, setting the single-game school record while becoming the first player in Crimson Tide history to reach the 500-yard passing milestone.
Jameson Williams collected a career-high 190 receiving yards with John Metchie III right behind at 173 yards. On the ground, Brian Robinson Jr. led the way with 122 yards on 27 carries.
Defensively, Alabama had three players with 11 or more tackles including Henry To’oTo’o (13), Will Anderson Jr. (11) and DeMarcco Hellams (11). The Tide recorded 10 tackles for loss with 3.5 coming from Anderson Jr. and 3.0 from To’oTo’o.
Will Reichard connected on a pair of field goal attempts, first from 48 yards and then from 30 yards out and hit all four of his point after touchdown attempts.
With the victory, the Crimson Tide secured the Southeastern Conference Western Division title and a spot in the 2021 SEC Championship Game against Eastern Division Champion Georgia on Saturday, Dec. 4 in Atlanta.
Postgame Notes
- Alabama extended its SEC record for most consecutive 10-win seasons to 14.
- The Tide has won 61 of its last 63 games in Bryant-Denny Stadium including the last 13 straight, dating back to the 2019 game against LSU.
- Bryce Young set the record for most passing yards in a single game in Alabama history with 559. The previous high was 484 by Scott Hunter on Nov. 29, 1969.
- Jameson Williams had a career-best 190 yards receiving on eight catches in the game. His previous best was 160 against LSU.
- For the second time this season, Alabama had two receivers reach the 100-yard milestone in the same game as Williams and John Metchie III both hit the century mark in the first half. Williams finished with 190 yards while Metchie III added 173. The duo accounted for 123 yards and 121 yards, respectively, against Tennessee on Oct. 23.
- Brian Robinson Jr. eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the fourth time this season with 122 yards against the Razorbacks.
- Alabama’s 671 yards of total offense ranks fifth most in a single game in program history.
- Game captains against Arkansas were linebacker Will Anderson Jr., defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis and offensive lineman Evan Neal.
- Defensive lineman Tim Smith made his first career start.
How It Happened
FIRST QUARTER
- 07:41 – UA | Will Reichard sent a 48-yard field goal attempt through the uprights to put Alabama on the board first.
SECOND QUARTER
- 14:54 – UA | Bryce Young connected with John Metchie III for a 20-yard score, capping off a 98-yard, nine-play drive.
- 06:06 – ARK | Arkansas went nearly the length of the field (96 yards) for its first touchdown of the game, which ended in a 15-yard pass from K.J. Jefferson to Treylon Burks.
- 05:21 – UA | The Tide quickly responded on its next drive with a 79-yard touchdown pass from Young to Jameson Williams.
- 03:40 – ARK | The Razorbacks recorded their second touchdown of the game on a one-yard rush for Dominique Johnson to pull within three of Alabama.
- 01:44 – UA | Another Young to Williams connection, this time for 32 yards, gave Alabama its third touchdown of the half.
THIRD QUARTER
- 11:31 – UA | Christian Leary notched the first touchdown of his career off an 11-yard pass from Young to give the Tide its fourth receiving score of the game.
- 10:09 – ARK | Jefferson and Burks teamed up for another touchdown with this one going for 66 yards.
- 01:09 – UA | Reichard booted in a 30-yard field goal to close out a nine-play, 63-yard drive for Alabama.
FOURTH QUARTER
- 11:24 – ARK | Arkansas faked a field goal and instead scored a touchdown with Reid Bauer’s jump pass to Blake Kern for the 32-yard score.
- 05:39 – UA | Williams recorded his third touchdown of the game, tying his career high, on a 40-yard toss from Young. The Tide would have a successful two-point conversion attempt to pull in front by 14.
- 01:02 – ARK | Raheim Sanders found the end zone after a 17-yard pass from Jefferson for the final score of the contest.
Up Next
Alabama will play its final regular-season game of the 2021 season when it heads to Auburn to take on the Tigers on Saturday, Nov. 27. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS.