Alabama fans, behold your quarterback.
He’s more than a one-pass quarterback, more than a one-half quarterback, and more than a one-trick pony. Sophomore Tua Tagovailoa had one message over the weekend and all of college football took notice. The young man is truly skilled and is the complete package in all phases.
Nick Saban told the press that he would play both Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts versus Louisville; however, the five-star Hawaiian displayed full command of the offense as he was given the nod to start. The same energy that endeared him to his teammates back in January resurfaced at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., seeing how he completed 75 percent of his passes.
Tagovailoa hit on 12 of 16 attempts for 227 yards and accounting for three scores – including a 9-yard run in the first quarter to stretch Alabama’s lead to 14-0. While eight different players caught a pass from him, there is a special chemistry between Tagovailoa and sophomore receivers Jerry Jeudy and Devonta Smith. Jeudy, a five-star and Florida native, was on the receiving end for both of Tagovailoa’s touchdown passes. Smith, on the other hand, led the Crimson Tide in receiving with 99 yards on four receptions to a tune of 28 yards per catch.
TD! @Tuaamann_ @jerryjeudy #BamavsLouisville #ABC pic.twitter.com/aIYBxyMp5x
— InsideBamaRecruiting (@RTRnews) September 2, 2018
Touchdown! @Tuaamann_ @jerryjeudy #BamavsLouisville #ABC pic.twitter.com/gzKft4rZzY
— InsideBamaRecruiting (@RTRnews) September 2, 2018
Balance has always been important to Saban, and he saw it on Saturday night after two years of inconsistency in the passing game. Alabama turned in 519 yards of total offense, with 222 yards and three touchdowns coming via its running backs. Tagovailoa even had the Tide ahead of schedule in converting third downs, 10 of 15, an area where it’s struggled in recent seasons.
Capturing a 51-14 victory is great, but how Tagovailoa’s family handled the moment was even better. Before the start of the game, WBRC (Fox 6 affiliate) captured a video of Tagovailoa’s parents – Diane and Galu Tagovailoa– praying inside the stadium.
Neither of the two knew who would start the game, but they must be highly proud after watching their son perform.
**WATCH @AlabamaFTBL QB @Tuaamann_ parent’s Diane and Galu Tagovailoa react to their son starting for the Crimson Tide vs. Louisville. I think it’s safe to say, they didn’t know who would start either. #BamavsLouisville @SEC @darrenrovell @WBRCnews @BarrettSallee #RollTide pic.twitter.com/P68hls0UAt
— ChristinaWBRC (@ChristinaWBRC) September 2, 2018
A lot of fuss was made over the offseason on how special Tagovailoa is, and now after seeing him start his first game, Alabama finally has an offense that compels people to watch.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
