Alabama football A-Day showcased new downfield passing game. Jalen Hurts and two early enroll freshmen Tua Tagovailoa and Jerry Jeudy dazzled as the Crimson team won 27-24.
Alabama football and its Crimson Team, led by the seasoned 18-year-old Jalen Hurts recorded a come-from-behind 27-24 win over the Tide White team. If 27-24 does not seem like an offensive explosion, remember the game was played with a running clock and QB’s were brought down with any touch.
Jalen Hurts was 16-25 for 301 yards with 2 TD’s and 1 INT. Tua Tagovailoa was 17-29 for 313 yards with 3 TD’s and 1 INT.
For most of the game, Tua was competing against the second team defense. The defensive play-calling was vanilla in the first half with limited called blitzes.
In the game’s first half the teams had pass completions of 38, 47 and 60 yards and a touchdown pass for 65 yards. The defensive units were less constrained in the second half resulting in several touch sacks coming off blitzes.
The media voted Dixie Howell Memorial MVP award was won by true freshman receiver Jerry Jeudy. Watch this Tua to Jeudy touchdown play.
Touchdown! Freshman To Freshman @Tuaamann_ @jerryjeudy #ADay2017 #Espn pic.twitter.com/RFiwsKPvyZ
— InsideBamaRecruiting Alabama Football (@RTRnews) April 22, 2017
Jalen Hurts showed much-improved accuracy on downfield passing as the video below shows.
Sophomore defensive lineman Raekwon Daviss won the Dwight Stephenson Most Valuable Lineman award. Davis had seven tackles and one sack.
Sophomore Terrell Hall made the most impressive defensive play of the game, leading to a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown.
PICK-6️⃣ in Tuscaloosa!
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) April 22, 2017
Or as the @AlabamaFTBL defense likes to call it ... business as usual ➡️ https://t.co/1OJY46dj8e pic.twitter.com/5Ki7DLwCvf
Alabama football fans hoping the Tide’s passing game would improve under offensive coordinator Brian Daboll should be excited. Hurts showed great improvement in downfield passing. Tua proved he can be a capable backup and potential future star.
Concerns remain about the offensive line and the secondary. Trevon Diggs was beaten deep on three plays. Veteran safety Ronnie Harrison gifted the Crimson team a chance to win with a late personal foul on Calvin Ridley.
In the post-game presser, per Chandler Rome Nick Saban said:
"“I don’t think we’re an elite team right now. We’re kind of an adequate team.”"
Saban also stated the Tide’s first game is against “an elite team.”
Next: Check Out the NFL Mock Draft for Crimson Tide Players
There are more days than we care to count until the FSU opener. Check back with us frequently as we update the Tide’s path from adequate to elite. Share your thoughts with us on Facebook and Twitter.