Jalen Hurts, No. 1 Alabama roll over No. 17 USC
ARLINGTON, Texas — Analyzing No. 1 Alabama's resounding 52-6 victory Saturday against No. 17 USC:
THE BIG PICTURE: The focus inevitably will be on a true freshman quarterback. And although Jalen Hurts did not start, he clearly was Alabama’s quarterback by late in the second quarter. But the Crimson Tide defense was the difference in what became an easy win.
After giving up a quick drive for a field goal on USC’s first possession, Bama clamped down, smothering the Trojans. USC’s two possessions produced 90 yards on 16 plays. The final seven possessions of the first half to close the half: 20 plays, no first downs, 2 total yards. Alabama led only 17-3, but the outcome was clear.
The Tide’s offense has a long way to go. But with that defense, it has plenty of time to get there.
WHAT WE’LL BE TALKING ABOUT: Blake Barnett, a redshirt freshman, started at quarterback for Bama, becoming the youngest to start in Nick Saban’s tenure there. But that might have only been a feint. It didn’t take long to realize the Tide’s actual quarterback was even younger. Although most thought the competition was between Barnett and Cooper Bateman, it was Hurts who relieved Barnett late in the first quarter.
Despite losing a fumble on his first play, he stayed in until late in the third quarter, when the game was well in hand. The spark from Hurts wasn’t immediate; Alabama’s offense struggled for a while. And Hurts was inconsistent. But he showed plenty of promise, flashing the dual-threat ability that has had fans salivating since he enrolled early last January and participated in spring practice.
Who knows if Alabama’s quarterback situation is settled, but Saban let a true freshman settle in on Saturday, and the results were generally positive.
College football's Week 1 winners and losers
KEY PLAY: Midway through the second quarter, Alabama trailed 3-0. Even with Hurts at quarterback, the offense was stagnant, and was threatening to squander good field position after a USC special-teams error.
But on third-and-13 from the USC 39, Hurts rolled right, then threw deep for ArDarius Stewart, who’d gotten behind cornerback Iman Marshall.
With Alabama’s defense dominating, it was all the Tide would need.
Alabama players scuffle on sideline with 17-3 lead
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Damien Harris wasn’t the sophomore running back who got all the attention in the offseason. That went to Bo Scarbrough, a physical specimen. But Harris was named the MVP of Alabama’s spring game. And he made the bigger splash on Saturday, too.
In three quarters, he had 138 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. He had runs of 46 and 73 yards, though neither finished in the end zone.
And he showed off some nifty cuts at the line to start them.
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