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Alabama puts in freshman quarterback to start second half of national championship

Credit: Butch Dill
Jan 8, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) listens to head coach Nick Saban during the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2018 CFP national championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

ATLANTA -- Nick Saban didn't like what he saw from quarterback Jalen Hurts in the first half of the national championship.

After the Bulldogs held the Crimson Tide to zero points in the first half, Saban put in true freshman Tua Tagovailoa. Georgia led 13-0 at halftime.

It didn't get much better for the Crimson Tide's offense at the start of the second half. During their first offensive drive of the second half, the quarterback was sacked on third down by Roquan Smith, and the offense went three-and-out.

But on the next drive, he started to connect with his receivers. He was able to break three tackles and scramble for a first down. Later, he threw 6 yards to Henry Ruggs III for the Tide's first touchdown of the game to make it 13-7 Georgia.

Hurts was 3-for-8 in the first half with 21 yards. He was sacked one by Davin Bellamy and was under constant pressure in the first half.

Tagovailoa was the top dual-threat quarterback out of last year's recruiting class. He is from Ewa Beach, Hawai'i. He has appeared in seven games this season.

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