*Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama Football News: Draft Scout Player News

10/20/19 - QB *Tua Tagovailoa, Jr/2020, Alabama

Alabama leaned on the old formula once quarterback Tua Tagovailoa went down with an ankle injury: big defensive plays and running the ball. The top-ranked Crimson Tide turned to the defense and tailback Najee Harris once the high-flying passing game was grounded, pulling out a 35-13 victory over Tennessee on Saturday night. The Tide (7-0, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) faced its first test of the season without last season's Heisman Trophy runner-up against the five-touchdown underdogs. Both starting quarterbacks left the game before halftime, and the Volunteers (2-5, 1-3) put up a fight much of the way. Tagovailoa exited with a left ankle injury in the second quarter and coach Nick Saban said he is likely to miss the next game against Arkansas. He called time before the play clock ran out after a sack.

"Tua came out of the game, I didn't even know he was hurt," Saban said. "We called timeout because the shot clock was running out. He said he felt like he twisted his ankle and Mac (Jones) had to go in. I didn't have time to give him a pep talk or anything." He told teammates he'd be "back for LSU" on Nov. 9, linebacker Terrell Lewis said. Tennessee freshman Brian Maurer had already left with a concussion for the second straight week, replaced by former starter Jarrett Guarantano. The end result was familiar: Alabama's 13th consecutive win over the rival Vols. "This is the first time we really had to grind one out and we really had to make plays," Saban said. The biggest came when Trevon Diggs recovered Guarantano's fumble on fourth-and-goal from the 1 and raced 100 yards for a touchdown to end the threat. Tennessee could have cut the deficit to a touchdown, down 28-13. - Alabama/AP College Football

Jr/2020