WATCH: Jalen Hurts explains what crossed his mind when Tua Tagovailoa was injured
By Keith Farner
Published:
Jalen Hurts was the hero of the SEC Championship as he rescued Alabama, and led the Crimson Tide to a come-from-behind win to beat Georgia.
“I honestly didn’t know what to think,” Hurts said on CBS immediately after the game. “All year I’ve been waiting on my opportunity. Regardless of how it went, my opportunity came today. Worked hard really this week with my teammates, and we found a way to get it down today.”
Alabama came from trailing by two touchdowns to beat Georgia 35-28.
Despite being a backup QB, Hurts said he prepared as if his opportunity would come, and delivered when it did.
“I know at Alabama there’s always an opportunity to win,” Hurts said. “We work so hard in the offseason, blood, sweat and tears together. And today, we found a way to get it done. I’m so happy. Happy for everybody.”
Hurts converted five third downs and also had a game-tying touchdown pass, but his 15-yard touchdown run gave the Crimson Tide the lead 35-28 with 1:04 remaining.
The five-play scoring drive came after Georgia couldn’t convert a fake punt attempt near midfield on fourth down on 11.
On the go-ahead drive, Hurts made completions to Irv Smith, Jr. and Jaylen Waddle for 19 and 16 yards, respectively.
The former starter, Hurts entered the game after Tua Tagovailoa left with an apparent ankle injury.
Hurts was 7-for-9 for 82 yards passing, and five carries for 28 yards rushing, with a combined two TDs.
“I’m so happy.”
Unbelievable Jalen, unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/22IEZekry7
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 2, 2018
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
