Nick Saban caught many off guard when he made a quarterback switch at halftime of the national championship game, but Georgia was not fooled. In fact, Kirby Smart said after his team’s 26-23 overtime loss on Monday night that he knew there was “no question” the Crimson Tide would make a change at quarterback.
“We talked long about it. We talked about how the ways we would play him. We told everybody at halftime there was no question that they were going to him,” Smart said. “Because they were struggling; they needed some momentum. He provided them some juice and got them some momentum.
“He’s a good player. He’s got confidence in his arm. A really talented freshman. He’s got poise in the pocket. He made the plays when he had to.”
The QB switch and play of Tua Tagovailoa was the story of the game. The true freshman went 14 of 24 for 166 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 27 yards on 12 attempts.
Not many saw Tagovailoa becoming the story of the game, but Smart knew what was coming in the second half. And Smart’s comment matches up with Nick Saban’s, no surprise.
