Arkansas' Nathan Bax tackle of DeVonta Smith draws ire from Alabama football fans
Erik Hall
A tackle by Arkansas football player Nathan Bax had Alabama Crimson Tide fans irrate Saturday.
Bax tackled Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith at the end of a punt return, and Bax rolled and twisted Smith's left leg after the tackle.
The tackle happened with 56 seconds left in the first quarter after a 39-yard return by Smith. Bax and Arkansas linebacker Deon Edwards tackled Smith at the Arkansas 49-yard line.
There was no penalty on the play.
Alabama led 10-3 at the time of the play.
Smith had returned the previous punt 84 yards for a touchdown with 2:36 left in the first quarter.
Arkansas tackle of DeVonta Smith ires Alabama football fans
![Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) returns a punt for a touchdown at Arkansas Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. [Photo by Kent Gidley, University of Alabama]](/gcdn/presto/2020/12/12/NTTN/3dcfb1d4-5472-48b9-b3fd-ad9c0b23a7a7-121220_MFB_SmithDe_Arkansas_KG0499.jpg?width=660&height=469&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Here are some of the top reactions to the play.
Alabama defeated Arkansas 52-3.
The tackle was Bax's only tackle in the game. Smith finished with 111 punt return yards and three catches for 22 yards.
Alabama improved to 10-0 overall and 10-0 in the SEC. Arkansas went to 3-7 overall and 3-7 in the SEC.
After Saturday's game, Alabama leads the all-time series 21-8 against Arkansas.
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Nick Saban is the Alabama Crimson Tide football head coach. Sam Pittman is the Arkansas Razorbacks football head coach.
Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.