09 Jan Nine takeaways from Alabama’s thrilling 26-23 overtime win over Georgia
By AARON DORKSEN
At Home Fitness Writer
What a game! Here are my quick takeaways from Alabama’s 26-23 overtime win over Georgia in the college football national title game played Monday night in Atlanta.
1. Don’t judge a book by its cover, or a football game by the first half. It wound up being one of the best games I’ve ever witnessed, especially considering ‘Bama’s true freshman QB Tua Tagovailoa rallied his team from a 13-0 halftime deficit in his first meaningful game action of the season.
2. Tagovailoa wound up outdueling fellow frosh Jake Fromm of Georgia. What a gutsy move by Nick Saban to go with Tua and an amazing job by him to play so well.
3. Tua looked kind of small to me out there, but he’s actually listed at 6-foot-1, 219 pounds. Shows you how big the linemen are who were chasing him.
4. Tua also showed how good the depth and coaching is at Alabama to come in and play so well. He did an amazing job looking off the Georgia safety on the game-winning TD pass.
5. Great sportsmanship from ‘Bama starting QB Jalen Hurts after being pulled.
6. Kicker Andy Pappanastos will be thankful the rest of his life for Tua, whose heroics offset “Pap’s” missed chipshot 36-yd FG at end of regulation that could have cost the Tide the title.
7. Rec-spec rocking Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship is clutch and fun to watch – his 51-yd FG to start OT could have been the game-winner if not for the “Tua Toss.”
8. I watched a little bit of ESPN’s “voices plus” and “homer telecast” on their alternative channels and thought they were ridiculously stupid. I went back to the regular Fowler-Herbstreit call for the rest of the game.
9. I wasn’t a fan of two SEC teams playing for the title, but it wound up being an instant classic. Here’s hoping the Ohio State Buckeyes can get back into the playoffs and reach the title game next year to break up the SEC power block.
At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. Consult a doctor before making any significant changes in your exercise routine or diet. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com