Struggling Arkansas embracing opportunity to face No. 1 Alabama

Arkansas senior quarterback Austin Allen took a shot on the third drive of the 48-22 loss to South Carolina last Saturday that would eventually cause him to leave the game. That play ended in a targeting foul on the Gamecock defender before it was reversed upon review.

When he got up he was trying to work out some pain in his throwing shoulder. He re-entered the game, and the injury forced him to alter his throwing motion. Later he was not medically cleared to return and the staff went with redshirt freshman backup Cole Kelley for the entire fourth quarter. Allen finished just 12 of 24 passing (50 percent) for 84 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception that was returned for a touchdown. He also had a fumble that was returned 73 yards for a score.

“It was just kind of a dead arm type deal where you feel it kind of pinches,” Allen