Kirk Herbstreit grades Alabama OC Steve Sarkisian for title game performance

In unprecedented fashion, Steve Sarkisian was handed the keys to the Alabama offense just one week before the Crimson Tide’s national championship battle with Clemson.

Alabama lost, 35-31, and was held to 376 yards of offense and just 2-of-15 on third down, though the unit was without running back Bo Scarbrough for most of the second half.

Sarkisian’s final possession, however, was magnificent. After falling behind 28-24 with less than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Alabama responded with a six-play, 68-yard touchdown drive that included a trick play featuring a pass from wide receiver ArDarius Stewart to tight end O.J. Howard.

If it weren’t for Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson’s late-game heroics, that drive would have been all the talk on Tuesday and the weeks to come. Despite some early struggles, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit thought Sarkisian did a solid job Monday night in his first performance as the full-time play-caller:

“I thought Sark did a good job if you look at what he had to work with,” Herbstreit said. “The situation coming in to call plays with eight or nine days to get ready. A quarterback that’s not there right now as far as consistency in the passing game. For them to go out and put 31 points on the board, you’d think before the game began maybe that’s enough to win the game. But I think the future with Sark as the offensive coordinator and play-caller, I think Alabama’s in a really good spot with him there.”

With Sarkisian calling the shots and molding rising sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Tide should be in good hands moving forward.

Tyler Waddell

Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).