TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It was the exact same situation as last week. Alabama, clinging to a lead with only seconds left to play, found itself in the northeast corner of the end zone defending a desperation pass.

Two weeks ago, Louisiana Tech made the play and beat the Crimson Tide 29-28. The loss knocked Alabama out of the Top 25 and sent the program into turmoil -- athletic director Bob Bockrath was ousted and coach Mike DuBose was put on a seemingly day-to-day status.

But on Saturday, Alabama broke up the play and held on for a 35-28 win over No. 20 Arkansas.

And just like that, the Tide was back in the rankings (No. 22 ESPN/USA Today, No. 21 AP) , and DuBose got a temporary reprieve from the calls for his job.

DuBose, who is fighting an uphill battle in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal and the athletic department's shakeup, wouldn't make the win about him.

"I really don't think of it in those terms, as being personal," DuBose said. "The key to being a football team is one-mindedness, singleness of purpose. When you start thinking of personal wins, it starts to become that `me, my and mine' mentality."

Against Arkansas, DuBose said the Tide (3-1, 2-0) played as one. Five different players scored touchdowns, seven players caught passes and two had more than 100 receiving yards.

But more importantly, Alabama beat a Top 25 opponent for the first time in three years and stayed in contention for the SEC West title.

"This one was all about the kids, their heart and their attitude," Alabama defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said. "It says a lot about them. And it says a lot about Mike DuBose."

Lost in the off-the-field controversy was Alabama's most sound game of the year.

Even though the Tide committed six turnovers -- Arkansas scored 25 points off them -- they were successful in opening up the offense and got their best defensive performance of the season.

Quarterback Andrew Zow overcame three interceptions for 225 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Freddie Milons had a career-high seven catches for 109 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown, and threw a 66-yard touchdown pass on a flanker reverse to Jason McAddley, who had a career-high 101 yards receiving.

Shaun Alexander, who lost two fumbles, still rushed for 165 yards on 34 carries. He also had a 12-yard touchdown run to push his season total to 10.

"Anytime you've got five different players scoring touchdowns, you're a better team," Alexander said. "When the ball gets spread out like that, the defense gets scattered."

Alabama's offensive line, which was manhandled in last year's 42-6 loss to Arkansas, shined this time.

"The holes they gave (Alexander), the slowest back in America could've gotten through," Razorbacks linebacker Jamel Harris said. "Shoot, I was a high school back. I could've gotten through them. Their offensive line did a heck of a job.

"It goes to show there's more to this team than Shaun Alexander."

Meanwhile, Alabama's defense held the Razorbacks to 64 yards rushing and harassed quarterback Clint Stoerner all day.

Stoerner, who was sacked once and pressured seven times, had little time to set up and find open receivers.

"I know this has to feel good for coach DuBose, a lot of people were down on him," Alabama left tackle Chris Samuels said. "I told him in the locker room that we won this game for him. There's been a lot of pressure on his back."