TUSCALOOSA -- It didn't matter the situation. Alabama was going to fake a field goal Saturday against Arkansas.
The opportunity presented itself early and the Crimson Tide took full advantage in the 38-14 win over the No. 14 Razorbacks.
"Regardless of the situation, whether we were ahead by 21 or behind by 21, we were going to run it," Alabama coach Nick Saban said.
When the Tide's first possession stalled at the Razorback 37, the call was made. Since quarterback AJ McCarron doubles as the holder, the play didn't require the same amount of quick action as other fakes.
McCarron calmly stood up as kicker Cade Foster motioned out of the backfield.
Taking the long shotgun snap, the quarterback rolled right as tight end slipped out to the left. The misdirection worked just as planned when Williams caught the 37-yard pass in stride for the early 7-0 lead.
Only Trent Richardson's 61-yard screen pass for touchdown covered more yardage in a single play through the air for the Tide.
Of his three career touchdown receptions, two have now come on trick plays.
Williams hauled in a pass from Marquis Maze in the "Wildcat" formation in last year's win over Florida. Teammates gave him a hard time about scoring on the gadget plays on the sideline after Saturday's score, he said.
There was no anxiety, Williams said, when the play was called."Not at all," he said. "When you prepare for a year on that one play, when they call it in the game, you just execute."
Saban felt the same way.
"So if practice means anything," he said, "we executed it well."
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