In his first start with the Oklahoma Sooners last night, former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts put on a show. The Houston defense had no answer for Hurts all night long as he shredded them on the ground and through the air. Hurts finished the game going 20/32, with 332 passing yards, 176 rushing yards on 16 carries and six total touchdowns (three passing/three rushing). Hurts himself outgained the entire Houston team by 100 yards (508 to 408).
It was the best debut from any quarterback in the history of Oklahoma which is saying something since their last two quarterbacks, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, both won Heisman Trophy’s and selected with the first picks in their NFL Drafts.
Hurts’ game caught the attention of tons of former teammates and Alabama players who appreciated his time at the university.
Jalen Hurts is on the field for Oklahoma…. wow it’s really real.
— Casual Bama Fan (@SHANKK50) September 1, 2019
J Hurts is about to go CRAZY!
— Chris Owens (@BGChrisOwens) September 1, 2019
The man @JalenHurts 🔥#Uno pic.twitter.com/Rs8oQpLLLm
— Mac Hereford (@Mac_Hereford) September 2, 2019
Even though head coach Nick Saban didn’t catch the game he was still glad to hear about Hurts.
“I didn’t see the game last night. We work on Sunday nights, but I heard he played extremely well and did an outstanding job,” said Saban. “That doesn’t surprise me in the least bit. We’re really happy for him, not only in the way he handled himself throughout this entire process but now that he’s having success as well.”
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In an age where college quarterbacks transfer whenever things don’t go their way, the path Jalen Hurts decided to take was refreshing. Sticking around at Alabama took great poise and character from someone as young as Hurts.
Today it seems as if the entire country is behind the Oklahoma signal-caller as he heads into his final college season and for good reason.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77