Alabama leads Arkansas and is establishing dominance in the first half. The scoring started slow with a pair of field goals, but picked up when DeVonta Smith returned an 84-yard punt return to the house.
However, one Arkansas player was clearly not too happy about it, as on the next punt return by Smith ended with an apparent ‘gator roll,’ which is a move commonly seen when the goal is to injure the players ankle or knee by twisting it.
Smith complained to the ref, but no flag was thrown, and Smith was able to walk it off and get back onto the field.
Alabama fans on twitter noticed it and are not holding back. Here’s what they have to say:
Arkansas player twisting DeVonta Smith's ankle after a punt return in the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/vq0NYTBSw5
— Patrick Greenfield (@PCGreenfield) December 12, 2020
ESPN’s broadcast showing DeVonta Smith with his left ankle taped entering the second quarter.
ESPN showed a replay of an Arkansas player Nathan Bax appearing to twist Smith’s lower left leg at the end of his most recent punt return.
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) December 12, 2020
They tried to gator roll devonta smith
— The Mad King (@Kingkeraun) December 12, 2020
DETROIT _ And yes that was a personal foul committed against #Alabama player #DeVontaSmith, and someone needs to review it after the game to kick that player out of college ball. Yes, I'm talking about the guy who rolled DaVonta's ankle after they were down. @NCAA
— Rochelle Riley (@rochelleriley) December 12, 2020
Some backup TE tried to gator roll Devonta Smith’s ankle after the punt return. No place for that
— 🤠 (@harrisonmc15) December 12, 2020
I don’t usually tweet during games but the @SEC needs to ban that back up tight end that just tried to gator roll @DeVontaSmith_6
— Wesley McCalley (@wesley_mccalley) December 12, 2020
Arkansas defender attempts to gator roll Devonta Smith’s ankle.
Nice try, but you aren’t stopping the Slim Reaper.
— Sidelines – Bama (Win it for Waddle) (@Sidelines_Bama) December 12, 2020
Going after @DeVontaSmith_6 ankle? Really…. pic.twitter.com/o8T4EJjSVg
— Dana Whitner (@OhioTide) December 12, 2020