Hurts may be easy to overlook, but he’s the one who keeps Tide rolling
The headlines belonged to Da’Ron Payne, Nick Saban and the Alabama defense. Everyone wanted to talk about this signature performance by the Crimson Tide when they didn’t have the ball, and Payne, the 308-pound defensive tackle, coming up with his first career interception and touchdown reception in the span of eight plays.
Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts was lost in the shuffle — the Sugar Bowl’s Offensive MVP s o me h ow forgotten following Alabama’s dominant 24 - 6 win over Clemson on New Year’s Day.
Sure, the dualthreat sophomore was invited to the postgame press conference along with Saban and Payne, but the soft-spoken quarterback was basically a third wheel. He wasn’t asked about hi s own performance, and only fielded a few questions.
And it was fitting, because if Hurts hasn’t been criticized —some still consider him the team’s weak link — he’s been an afterthought this season, overshadowed by Saban and his defense full of NFL pros- In an era of offensive revolution, the country’s two best teams are defined pects. This despite notching a 25-2 record as a starter and becoming the first quarterback this century to lead his team to the national title game in each of his first two seasons.
“I think it’s the nature of the position you’re in as a player,” Alabama left tackle Jonah Williams said. “And as the quarterback for Alabama, anything less than absolute perfection is a disappointment. I think that’s probably an unfair position to put someone in, but I don’t think he’s a guy that cares so much what other people think. For the team too, pretty much any fault is magnified due to the fact that in our history we generally haven’t had many.”
With a more conservative approach under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Hurts’ numbers fell off this season. He threw six fewer touchdown passes and 720 fewer yards. He passed for more than 200 yards just twice. But he tossed just one intercep- tion, did run for 808 yards and eight touch downs, and Alabama is back in the national championship game.
“I think it’s kind of ridiculous t hat people have anything to say about him negatively,” running back Damien Harris told SECCountry.com. “My question would be: What more do you want him to do?”
The Houston native has thrived at Alabama, his coaches believe, because of his ability to handle criti-
cism, from the outside and the ever-demanding Saban. He has the ability to move on from poor play and negativity. He doesn’t take it personally.
“I just think you have to have the right mindset,” Hurts said. “You have to be coachable, first off. Secondly, you have to have the will to improve, improve every day. Coach Saban [is] a guy that always wants to improve in his craft and get better. And I’m the same way.”
Hurts’ performance was subtly important to the Crimson Tide’s victory. He was elusive in the pocket and accurate with his throws. He made plays with his feet and his arm. He threw for 120 yards, two touchdowns, and ran for 40 yards on 11 carries. His 19-yard run on Alabama’s second possession kickstarted the Crimson Tide. His 12-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley late in the first quarter was the f irst big punch of the game.
But he wasn’t perfect. Hurts underthrew Ridley on a flea flicker that may have gone for a touchdown, and he fumbled on the Crimson Tide’s f irst play after halftime. He wasn’t taking any victory laps.
“We could have done some things better,” Hurts said, “but we came out with the win and that is all that matters.”
It sounds a lot like Hurts’ sophomore season at Alabama — plenty of wins without the gaudy statistics.