Nick Saban on Alabama 24-21 win over Arkansas: 'We got to learn to play for 60 minutes'

Nick Saban and Alabama had to hold their collective breath in a 24-21 win over Arkansas Saturday afternoon.

Hosting the Razorbacks, it looked like Alabama was going to cruise to victory after taking a 24-6 lead. However, the Crimson Tide led them right back into the ball game.

But some late stops and clutch Jalen Milroe throws propelled Alabama to a 6-1 record.

“Well, you know what we played pretty good until was (24-6) and then we got two third down penalties, they got back in the game, got a score,” Saban said on the ESPN broadcast. “We lost our momentum with three and out three or four times on offense. So you know, we got to learn how to play for 60 minutes and finish the game, which we really didn’t do like we needed to do today. So, but I think we’ll learn from it and hopefully, be better and ready for the next one.”

Milroe didn’t have his best day, finishing 10-of-21 passing for 238 yards, two touchdowns and had a rushing touchdown earlier in the game, and Saban talked about his uneven performance, albeit leading the team to a win.

“You know, Jalen did a great job in the first half, you know, he missed about three or four throws in the second half,” Saban said. “They were both high, whatever. I don’t know if it was pressing in the pocket or not getting his feet set, but he’ll learn from it as well.”

Leading 21-6 at halftime, Saban and crew probably felt good, but also that there was still some meet on the bone.

Out of the half, following both teams punting the football, Alabama managed a field goal. But that’s where Saban saw the game turn on its head.

The teams traded punts again before Arkansas engineered a 10-play, 77 yard drive capped by a KJ Jefferson touchdown pass.

Saban’s offense went three-and-out again and Arkansas pulled within three points after a nine-play, 69-yard drive that ended with a touchdown, another one from Jefferson.

But, after Saban saw his offense go three-and-out again, he found a little solace in his defense forcing a punt and then the offense going 10 plays, 26 yards and eating up the last 5:16 of game time to hang on for the win.

In the end, Alabama found a way to win and Saban’s crew got its sixth win.