FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Time after time, Alabama let the momentum shift to Arkansas and the young Razorbacks took advantage of breaks like veterans.
The Crimson Tide turned the ball over twice and was penalized five times, in crucial moments, for 50 yards in a 27-10 loss Saturday.
Coach Mike Shula thought Alabama had a chance to pick up a conference win on the road.
"There were so many things that changed the momentum of the game. Things like penalties and field position," he said. "All the things we didn't do earlier (in the season), we did today."
Arkansas collected a win in its SEC opener, a game coach Houston Nutt said would prove the true test of his inexperienced players.
"I'm really proud of this team," he said. "What a great win for our program. We're going to learn a lot from this."
Alabama, which leads the conference in rushing, outran the Razorbacks 271-211, led by Ray Hudson with 20 rushes for 170 yards and a touchdown.
Tide quarterback Marc Guillon, in his first start in place of injured Brodie Croyle, was 6-for-18 for 57 yards and one interception.
"There were some plays Marc has to execute better. He has more experience now," Shula said. "He has to be more consistent in every part of the game."
For Arkansas, freshman Peyton Hillis scored two touchdowns, Matt Jones ran for one score and threw for another and De'Arrius Howard ran for 64 yards. Hillis had several key plays, including the go-ahead touchdown on a one-handed catch and two 1-yard runs to keep a scoring drive alive.
Alabama mistakes allowed the Razorbacks to remain in control for most of the game:
When Jones threw an interception in the first quarter, Guillon threw one on the next play.
A Crimson Tide drive in the second quarter died when Kenneth Darby fumbled the ball away at Arkansas' 23.
Alabama was at its 46 in the fourth quarter when Guillon hit Hudson for a short pass underneath that he broke to the Arkansas 28, but the play was called back for holding and the Tide was penalized back to its 36.
Forced to punt, Alabama had a chance to pin Arkansas inside the 5 for the second time. But Ezekial Knight stood over the ball, watching it roll toward the end zone, too long. He tapped it at the goal line for a touchback. Arkansas drove 80 yards and scored.
Late in the fourth, Alabama lost the ball on downs at its 23. It appeared Arkansas did the same when Jones was intercepted in the end zone on fourth down, but Alabama was flagged for interference. The 15-yard penalty gave the Razorbacks the ball at the 5, and Howard pushed it in for the final score with 1:12 left.
Jones, who had not been sacked in three games, was dropped in the backfield four times for a loss of 29 yards. He finished with nine runs for 60 yards and a touchdown and was 7-for-12 passing with one TD and an interception.
