Sarkisian’s finale features Alabama’s offensive prowess
Steve Sarkisian took full advantage of three of the most dangerous players in college football in their final act together.
The topranked Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator put on another dominating playcalling clinic during Monday night’s 5224 win over No. 3 Ohio State in the College Football Playoff national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Now Sarkisian is off to try to work the same artistry as the Texas Longhorns’ head coach.
Sarkisian called plays to help get Heisman Trophywinning receiver DeVonta Smith open — repeatedly — in the first half. Sarkisian made good use of tailback Najee Harris’ versatility and, of course, quarterback Mac Jones’ poise and accuracy.
It was a grand finale for Sarkisian, whose two seasons running Alabama’s offense produced huge numbers. The Tide racked up 621 yards against the Buckeyes on Monday.
Sarkisian was named Tom Herman’s replacement at Texas eight days before the title game.
It didn’t distract him from his second shot at a national championship as the Tide’s offensive boss.
Saban elevated Sarkisian from analyst to coordinator a week before the title game in January 2017 after Lane Kiffin left early for his headcoaching job at Florida Atlantic. Clemson beat Alabama 3531 and Sarkisian left for the Atlanta Falcons before ultimately returning.
This time the former USC and Washington head coach had several of the nation’s top playmakers and an offensive line honored as the nation’s best.
Smith, Jones and Harris were all among the top five Heisman votegetters.
Left tackle Alex Leatherwood won the Outland Trophy as the top interior lineman and Landon Dickerson ( out with a knee injury for the playoffs) won the Rimington Trophy as the best center.
Smith’s big half: Smith did not catch a single pass after halftime. He didn’t have to, either.
The receiver from Alabama put his stamp all over the game in the first two quarters, with 12 catches for 215 yards and three touchdowns — all those scores coming in the second quarter.
He won everything there was to win this season: the national title and the Heisman, and became the first FBS player since Michael Crabtree in 2007 to lead the nation in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Smith left in the third quarter, a towel draped over his right hand, covering an injury.
Smith had five catches that went for more than 15 yards, including a 42yard touchdown that pushed Alabama’s lead to 3517 just before halftime.
Buckeyes’ offense stifled: Justin Fields and the prolific Ohio State offense, fresh from piling up 639 yards in a semifinal win over Clemson, couldn’t find the same groove against Alabama.
Fields, who passed for 385 yards and six touchdowns against Clemson, had some outstanding moments against Alabama but not enough to make a difference.
Ohio State running back Trey Sermon, who electrified the Buckeyes’ ground game in the three previous games, was lost to an injury during the first series, and the team’s best offensive lineman, Wyatt Davis, was injured late in the first half.
Master Teague III, who began the season as a starter, replaced Sermon and had touchdown runs of 8 and 4 yards but Ohio State moved away from the run game in the second half as Fields had to look for big plays. The Buckeyes had 147 rushing yards, with Fields getting 67 of them.
Playing from behind for three quarters, Fields was 17for33 for 194 yards.