FAYETTEVILLE — Below is an analysis of Arkansas quarterbacks Feleipe Franks’ and KJ Jefferson’s performances against No. 1 Alabama after a re-watch of Saturday’s game.
Feleipe Franks vs. Alabama
At/Behind LOS: 3/4, 22 yards
1-5 yard throws: 1/1, 8 yards
6-10 yard throws: 4/4, 60 yards
11-15 yard throws: 0/1, 0 yards
16+ yard throws: 0/0, 0 yards
Interceptable passes: 0
Accurate passes: 8
Inaccurate passes: 1 (incomplete pass intended for Mike Woods 12 yards downfield)
Passes broken up: 1 (incomplete pass intended for Trey Knox at the line of scrimmage)
1st down throws on 3rd down: 1 (completed pass to Trelon Smith on third-and-5 for a 24-yard gain)
1st down runs on 3rd down: 1 (gain of 5 yards on third-and-2)
Times hit on drop backs: 8
KJ Jefferson vs. Alabama
At/Behind LOS: 0/1, 0 yards
1-5 yard throws: 0/3, 0 yards
6-10 yard throws: 0/0, 0 yards
11-15 yard throws: 1/2, 18 yards
16+ yard throws: 0/0, 0 yards
Interceptable passes: 0
Accurate passes: 1
Inaccurate passes: 2 (incomplete pass intended for Knox 5 yards downfield … inaccurate pass intended for Blake Kern 5 yards downfield)
Passes broken up: 2 (incomplete pass intended for Treylon Burks 15 yards downfield; led his receiver into multiple Alabama defenders … incomplete pass intended for Smith 2 yards downfield … it appeared Smith caught the pass but an Alabama defender knocked the ball loose and officials ruled the pass incomplete)
1st down throws on 3rd down: 1 (completed pass to Mike Woods on third-and-9 for an 18-yard gain)
Times hit on drop backs: 1
Analysis: Neither quarterback had much time to stand in the pocket and survey the field thanks to Alabama’s overwhelming pass rush. Arkansas allowed a season-high eight sacks in the game for a loss of minus-49 yards. Feleipe Franks was sacked seven times and hit eight times on drop backs, and KJ Jefferson was brought down behind the line once and hit once on a drop back before leaving the game with a knee injury in the second half.
According to SECStatCat, a website dedicated to SEC football analytics, Franks and Jefferson had an average of 2.28 and 2.29 seconds, respectively, to get their passes away. When he was not knocked off his spot, Franks was solid throwing the ball, hitting all four of his throws 6-10 yards at depth, and they each went for a gain of least nine yards. He was also 3 of 4 on passes to targets at or behind the line of scrimmage, picking up 22 yards.
For the first time this season, Franks did not hit a pass 11-plus yards downfield. He entered the game 11 of his last 16 on such throws against Florida and LSU. He finished the regular season, too, by not throwing an interceptable pass. Franks did not throw one in six games this season, including each of his last three.
Arkansas pass catchers gained 63 yards after catch on Franks passes, a season-low. The team’s previous low was 110 (Mississippi State) in games Franks started. The Razorbacks totaled 109 against Missouri in KJ Jefferson’s first start of the year.
Jefferson, after playing a really solid game against the Tigers the previous weekend, struggled with his accuracy against Alabama. He misfired on all four throws that traveled five or fewer yards downfield. His lone completion went to Mike Woods 12 yards downfield, and Woods gained six yards after the catch.
Over the last two weeks, Jefferson is 2 of 6 on passes 1-5 yards at depth. He has a tremendous arm, but touch is something that needs attention when he returns from injury. He threw too far out in front of Trey Knox on a 5-yard pass on third down and missed a wide open Blake Kern 5 yards downfield, too. Jefferson appeared to rush the throw to Kern because he was so open, and the ball sailed on him. He also threw incomplete to Burks once on a 15-yard out route, leading the Razorbacks’ top playmaker into a big collision.
