It looked like an Arkansas player attempted a "gator roll" on Bama's DeVonta Smith. Mickey Welsh via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Watch: Arkansas commits dirty play against DeVonta Smith

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 12/12/20

Things are getting a bit nasty between the Arkansas Razorbacks and Alabama Crimson Tide.

Razorbacks special teams player Nathan Bax appeared to intentionally twist the ankle of Alabama return man DeVonta Smith at the end of a punt return. Smith immediately appealed to the referees, and definitely felt that the Arkansas player was trying to hurt him.

Arkansas’ Nathan Bax should be ejected. This is flat out pathetic. Intentionally trying to injure Devonta Smith…. pic.twitter.com/I1r53L5AmJ

— Simone Eli (@SimoneEli_TV) December 12, 2020

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

It’s worth noting that Smith already had returned one punt for a touchdown in the game.

The Crimson Tide have big games ahead and have a great chance of heading to the College Football Playoff. Smith, meanwhile, is a Heisman contender. The last thing they need is any undue risk of injury, so they will likely be furious about this, and they look like they’d be quite justified in feeling that way.

There is actually some similarity to some questionable tackling we’ve seen in the NFL this season.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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