Hawaiian punch
Even Alabama’s unlikely hero can’t believe title-game script
ATLANTA — You’ve had at least a day to process what you never expected to see. You’ve had time to learn how to pronounce the last name — “You say tongue first, O-VY-LO-A,” Tua Tagovailoa once explained — you just learned. Now, you’re probably convinced the teenager you didn’t know two days ago is set to extend Alabama’s dynasty even longer.
Even if you had seen Tagovailoa’s seven games of mop-up duty as a true freshman quarterback, you couldn’t have seen his game-saving, national title-winning, three-touchdown performance against Georgia coming.
Tagovailoa hadn’t appeared in a game decided by single-digits. He hadn’t played in any game since Nov. 18, or faced any FBS opponent since Oct. 21.
As poorly as Jalen Hurts played, putting Alabama in a 13-0 hole at halftime, the sophomore had been Nick Saban’s starter for two years, having gone 25-2, and having already played in a national championship game the season prior.
“I still can’t believe that this is what happened,” Tagovailoa said Tuesday morning.
Tagovailoa, the top-rated high school quarterback in the country, immediately showcased his extraordinary talent when he entered in the third quarter, bouncing off three tacklers to run 9 yards on a key third down, setting up his first touchdown pass.
But midway through the quarter, Georgia’s Jake Fromm was the young quarterback set for stardom, having completed an 80-yard touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs up, 20-7, and looking like he’d become the second true freshman ever to lead his team to a national title — an honor Hurts failed to secure last year.
On the next possession, Tagovailoa looked like Fromm would have no trouble earning that distinction. Alabama called for a run, but Tagovailoa thought it was a pass play and threw to a receiver who was busy blocking. The ball was intercepted in Alabama territory.
Following the worst play he’d ever make, in the biggest game he’d ever played, Tagovailoa put his arm around Saban, telling the legendary coach not to worry.
“He was just reassuring me that he would learn from it,” Saban said.
Tagovailoa learned — throwing a game-tying score on fourth down, with less than four minutes remaining — then stumbled again, drawing the ire of the coach who staked his season on the unproven Hawaiian.
Trailing 23-20 in overtime, Tagovailoa went back to pass on Alabama’s first play. Despite ample time to throw the ball away, he took a sack for a 16-yard loss. Saban stomped down the sidelines, ripping his headset off, and screaming at no one in particular.
One play later, Saban was “never happier,” as Tagovailoa fired the forever 41-yard touchdown pass into the arms of DeVonta Smith.
“Tua probably couldn’t have thrown that pass if I could have gotten a hold of him after the sack,” Saban joked, “but I couldn’t get out there fast enough.”
The plan all week, like most weeks, didn’t involve the backup quarterback. Tagovailoa was supposed to sit, like four of the previous five games.
He wasn’t ready. He was prepared. He was a fire extinguisher, only to be used in an emergency.
And exactly when does Alabama encounter emergency? The Crimson Tide’s only championship loss of this era occurred on a last-second touchdown. Last week, Hurts was the Sugar Bowl offensive MVP.
Still, Tagovailoa left the locker room at halftime and completed 14-of-26 passes for 166 yards, adding another 27 yards rushing. He did so against the fifthranked defense in the nation. He did so against Saban’s defensive disciple, Kirby Smart, whose team had held Heisman winner Baker Mayfield and the best offense in the country to just seven offensive points in the second half of their Rose Bowl win.
Tagovailoa won an eternal place in college football lore. He secured a permanent spot in the heart of Alabama fans. Now, he just needs to return to practice in the spring, and win the job again. He’ll even have time to prepare. “Look, we have two good quarterbacks on our team, no doubt, both of them made a great contribution to the success of the team this year,” Saban said Tuesday morning. “I think that we haven’t really made a decision about that. I don’t think it’s imperative that we make one right now. We’ve got two fine young men who really respect each other and have worked hard to help each other all year long. Hopefully we’ll be able to continue to do that in the future.”