In the second half of the National Championship Game, Nick Saban replaced Jalen Hurts with Tua Tagovailoa, and it immediately paid off.
Even though Alabama played in Monday’s National Championship Game, its quarterback position was shaky for most of the 2017 college football season. Jalen Hurts, who showed promise in his freshman campaign, followed it up with a decrease in passing yards, touchdowns and completion percentage. He had the dual-threat ability, but the questions were always there with his arm.
As for the title game, Hurts played the first half and struggled. He went just 3-for-8 for 21 yards, as the Crimson Tide offense failed to score. So, head coach Nick Saban made a bold move, removing his sophomore quarterback for true freshman Tua Tagovailoa, a former five-star recruit that never played a meaningful snap in college.
However, Tagovailoa certainly did not look like a freshman.
In a matter of minutes, the Hawaiian-born quarterback displayed a pocket presence that Alabama had not seen all season. He fired passes down the field, connecting with multiple targets, including a laser to the end zone that gave Saban and company their first touchdown of the game.
This wizardry can’t be forgotten, either. Tagovailoa eluded multiple defenders, broke tackles and kept the drive alive by getting the first down. It eventually led to the score.
So, not only can Tagovailoa sling it, he uses his legs to maneuver around the pocket and extend plays. It’s a special skill set for college football.
The Tide’s offense had a new energy to it. No longer was there a dual-threat quarterback that displayed inaccuracy. Instead, it was Tagovailoa, who opened the offense to sights no one saw during the 2017 season — an aerial attack.
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Although Tagovailoa threw an interception, you can’t fault Saban for the change. Hurts didn’t get the job done in the season’s biggest game. Sometimes, these bold in-game decisions happen, especially in the playoffs, and can make or break the game. Will this be the case?
The move turned out to be the correct one and we should never doubt the genius of Saban. He knew the offense needed a different look and had to make plays in the passing game to beat this Georgia defense. Hurts wasn’t getting it done, but the freshman showed composure beyond his years. Tagovailoa completed 14-of-24 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime with a 41-yard touchdown to DeVonta Smith to give the Crimson Tide their fifth national championship under Saban.
It’s too early to predict if Hurts will get his job back next year or if a star was born tonight with Tagovailoa coming into the second half of the National Championship Game against one of the nation’s best defenses and trailing 13-0.
No pressure.
The move worked out for Saban, which will go down as one of the biggest of his career on a night he won his sixth national championship to cement his legacy as the greatest of all time.