Alabama pals glad for Hurts
Grad transfer QB wows ex-teammates in Oklahoma opener
Some Alabama players kept an eye on former teammate Jalen Hurts’ debut as Oklahoma’s quarterback.
They came away pleased, but not really surprised.
Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban, meanwhile, said he didn’t get to watch the fourthranked Sooners’ 49-31 romp over Houston Sunday night.
“I didn’t see the game last night. We work on Sunday nights,” Saban said Monday. “But I hear he played extremely well and did an outstanding job, and that doesn’t surprise me in the least bit. And we’re really happy for him, not only in the way he handled himself throughout this entire process, but now that he’s having success as well.”
Hurts was a two-year starter for the Tide, who lost his job to 2018 Heisman Trophy runnerup Tua Tagovailoa.
He endeared himself to Alabama fans and teammates by staying put throughout last season instead of jumping ship to preserve a second year of eligibility.
Then he became a huge college football free agent as a graduate transfer, and had a monster Oklahoma debut.
Hurts completed 20 of 23 passes for 332 yards and gained another 176 yards on the ground.
Tide cornerback Trevon Diggs talked to Hurts before that first game in Norman.
“He was excited to play, happy to play,” Diggs said. “I feel like he showed up.”
Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy watched the game from his room.
“I’m happy for him. He did a great job, both passing and running,” Jeudy said. “Six touchdowns, that’s unbelievable. But that’s what Jalen does, so I’m very happy for him.”
Georgia: Receiver Kearis Jackson will be out three to four weeks after suffering a broken hand in the season-opening victory over Vanderbilt. Coach Kirby Smart did not specify which hand was injured. Jackson made his first career start for the No. 3 Bulldogs in the 30-6 victory. He had two catches but was injured on a tackle near the Vanderbilt goal line after hauling in a 32-yard pass with about 10 minutes remaining in the game.
South Carolina: A person close to South Carolina’s football program says Gamecocks starting quarterback Jake Bentley will be out indefinitely with a broken foot. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because neither the team, nor head coach Will Muschamp, has publicly discussed Bentley’s injury.
Illinois: Running back Mike Epstein has suffered a season-ending injury for the third straight year. Coach Lovie Smith said Monday the junior hurt his knee in the third quarter of the opener against Akron. Epstein has played 13 games over three seasons and rushed for 802 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Epstein started three of the first five games as a freshman in 2017, then missed the last seven games with a stress fracture in his right foot. The same injury kept him out of the last five games in 2018.
Southern Cal: Quarterback J.T. Daniels will miss the rest of the season after tearing a ligament and the meniscus in his right knee during the Trojans’ opener Sunday night against Fresno State.