Gallery • 12 Photos

ORLANDO- No. 1 Alabama took care of business early on against Louisville. The Crimson Tide, led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, put 28 points on the Cardinals in the first half before finishing 51-14. The sophomore quarterback dominated the Cardinals, leading Alabama six total drives, five of which led to touchdowns.

Play of the game:

Off a play action pass, Tagovailoa sidestepped Louisville’s Jon Greenard, spun, stepped up in the pocket and floated a ball out to Jerry Jeudy for the first touchdown of the game.

Offensive player of the game:

Cody Estremera: Tua Tagovailoa

James Ogletree: Tua Tagovailoa

Defensive player of the game:

Cody Estremera: Deionte Thompson

James Ogletree: Deionte Thompson

Fan players of the game:

Offensive: Tua Tagovailoa

Defensive: Deionte Thompson

Notes:

• Tua Tagovailoa started the game for the Crimson Tide. He led Alabama 65 yards for a touchdown in 3:05. He threw for 60 yards on the drive.
• Deionte Thompson intercepted Jawon Pass in the endzone early in the second quarter.
• Tagovailoa hit Waddle on a 49-yard deep ball early in the second quarter. Najee Harris scored three plays later.
• Tagovailoa threw a perfectly-placed 25-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Jeudy in the back of the endzone with nine seconds left in the half. Jeudy’s two touchdowns in the first half matched his total from all of last season.
• Alabama’s fifth touchdown, an 18-yard run by Josh Jacobs, was its first not scored by a true sophomore. Jacobs added a 77-yard kickoff return later in the third quarter.
• True freshmen Ale Kaho, Jaylen Waddle, Tevita Musika, Slade Bolden, Jerome Ford, Josh Jobe, Skyler DeLong and Patrick Surtain II made their first career starts for Alabama, as did Temple graduate transfer Austin Jones.