ATLANTA — Atlanta Legends fans were able to have their proverbial cake and eat it too at Georgia State Stadium, thanks to an old friend with UGA ties.
Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray came off the bench Sunday night to lead the Legends to their first-ever win as part of the new Alliance of American Football, a 14-11 triumph that was more defensively focused than offensively sound.
But who cares about this in the afterglow of franchise history?
If the AAF survives for a sustained period, history books will credit Murray – the SEC's all-time leading passer – for the win (albeit in relief) ... and only pay secondary homage to Murray's middling stats (20 of 33 for 254 yards, zero TDs).
Murray personally didn't find the end zone all night, but another former college quarterback with a national following took care of that, with tailback Denard Robinson (Michigan) accounting for 47 total yards (43 rushing) and one score.
The other eight points for the Legends (1-3 overall) derived from one safety (first score) and two field goals (from Younghoe Koo).
So, what prompted the sudden entrance of Murray, who had been languishing on the bench for the first month?
Starter Matt Simms got crushed on an early sack, the result of two Arizona defenders hitting Simms at virtually the same time.
Murray's mistake-free heroics come at a time when the Atlanta franchise might be pursuing Johnny Manizel, if the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner signs with the AAF this week.