He eased the nerves of fans, silenced doubters and above all else, he had fun.
In filling in for Tua Tagovailoa (ankle), Mac Jones provided everyone with a happy homecoming as he led the Crimson Tide to a 48-7 win over Arkansas. Steve Sarkisian got Jones comfortable with a conservative game plan early on, but the offensive coordinator would let the redshirt sophomore sling the ball.
Not only did he hold down the fort in his first career start, people realized that Alabama will win games – no matter who lies on the depth chart at quarterback.
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Jones completed 18 of 22 passes for 235 yards with three touchdowns.
He pushed Jerry Jeudy out of a slump, as the junior caught seven passes for 103 receiving yards and three scores.
It was the first time since Sept. 21 against Southern Mississippi that the native Floridian had at least 100 yards and one touchdown.
The Tide was balanced with Jones running the show, seeing how it had 179 yards rushing with two scores on nearly five yards a carry.
Both Najee Harris and Brian Robinson totaled over five yards per rush and if not for a slight ankle injury, Harris could have had his fourth 100-yard game. He finished with 86 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns.
Robinson pounded his way to 67 yards on 13 attempts.
Jones had a great week of practice and after the game, Nick Saban said the former four-star played within himself and did well.
“Mac did a really good job of executing the offense,” Saban said.
“He was very effective and efficient in the passing game. We were not afraid to throw the ball downfield and we were not afraid of doing what we normally would do with Mac. I thought he did a really good job in the game and he made really good decisions.”
Saban mentioned last week on this being Jones’ chance to show he could be the top dog, and he responded well. The team played well around him and a few leaders on defense – Anfernee Jennings, Terrell Lewis and Xavier McKinney – were proud of the one they call “The Joker.”
“He looked good and he always looks good,” Jennings said of Jones. “He came out and competed today and it showed. He did his job and we supported him.”
Regardless of his four incompletions, Jones did nothing to hurt the team and with LSU on the horizon, Tide fans could have not scripted last week to any better than it was. Alabama will return Tagovailoa for the Tigers, but a strong moment from Jones has the team at 8-0.
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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.
