The quarterback who at this point a year ago was playing high school ball in Texas, and not in the Dallas Cowboys’ NFL stadium, added touchdown runs of 7 and 6 yards to make it 38-3 before he exited late in the third quarter.
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Hurts ran for two more scores on gains of seven and six yards out.
Stewart finished with 113 receiving yards on four catches and two touchdowns while graduate transfer receiver Gehrig Dieter added a 45-yard touchdown on a fourth-quarter pass from Barnett, who finished 5-of-6 for an even 100 passing yards, most of which came after he re-entered. His numbers (6 of 11, 118 yards, 2 TDs) won’t find a home in any record book anywhere.
The score was 52-6. Sophomore Damien Harris showed the ability for some big plays with runs of 46 and 73 yards.
Nothing worked for USC all night.
Sean White drove the offense to the Clemson 40, but two desperation heaves into the end zone fell incomplete, with the second getting batted around.
Kicker Matt Boermeester did the scoring for the Trojans. USC finally managed to end the unanswered points streak with a 41-yard field goal late in the third quarter. He was 14 of 29 for 101 yards with an interception.
It took awhile, but Alabama eventually found its way in the opening half against USC.
Hurts immediately fumbled on his first snap, giving USC the ball at midfield, with all of the momentum in the world and up 3-0. For a little historical perspective, it was the second worst loss ever for the USC football program.
After entering the game on the third offensive series, Hurts got Alabama’s offense on track. He scrambled to keep plays alive and accounted for Bama’s lone touchdown in the first half when he connected with ArDarius Stewart for 39 yards. A tipped pass from Browne was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey to make it 17-3.
NOTES: Redshirt freshman Blake Barnett got the start at quarterback for Alabama. Of course, Saban isn’t offering any guarantees, especially considering earlier this week he told reporters he would choose between Bateman and Barnett for his starting quarterback.
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He first tweeted a picture of his son that correctly portrayed what all of the Alabama fans were feelings during the first quarter. True freshman Mack Wilson switched from No. 3 to No. 30, while junior running back Derrick Gore switched from No. 33 to No. 27.
