TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama wrapped up its spring camp with its annual A-Day game Saturday, as the Crimson team defeated the White team 27-24 on a game-winning 30-yard field goal from punter JK Scott.

More: Recap Crimson wins 27-24 | Game Stats | Photos from the Game

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Early enrollee receiver Jerry Jeudy earned the game's MVP Award, reeling in five catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns.

As an honorary coach for the White team, I was able to see the game from the sideline. Here are some notes on what I saw and heard from the scrimmage:

Jeudy accounted for the White team's first two touchdowns. The early enrollee won a jump ball over Crimson team defensive back Aaron Robinson for a 25-yard touchdown in the first quarter before taking advantage of a fortunate bounce on a deflection for a 29-yard score in the second quarter.

* A-Day recruiting updates

"He's improved well and he had a good day today," Alabama head coach Nick Saban said. "We obviously need some young guys to come through for us at receiver. It's not a position that we have a lot of depth. Calvin Ridley is a special player at the position, Robert Foster had a really good spring, but we need some players like Jerry Jeudy to continue to grow and develop."

Alabama starter Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa both had big days, passing for more than 300 yards with multiple touchdowns. Hurts finished the afternoon completing 16 of 25 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. Tagovailoa was 17 of 29 for 313 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.

However, one negative on the day was that the quarterbacks totaled 12 sacks on the day. Hurts was sacked seven times, while Tagovailoa was sacked four times and Mac Jones was sacked once. That's something Saban said needed improvement moving forward.

* What did you learn from the Spring Game?

"These statistics are very misleading," Saban said. "First of all, how many times did we run the ball and what was our rushing yards on the rushing plays? If you want to get the true stats on the passing yards, take away all the sacks because those are all the negative plays that we had because we were passing the ball. There's a lot more balance than what the statistics show.

"... But there was a lot of production. I think all of our quarterbacks are better passers than they were a year ago — first, second and third-team guys. So I think that was encouraging."

Both teams had success with the deep ball in the first half, with Tagovailoa and Hurts connecting on long passes down the sideline. Calvin Ridley was especially deadly, racking up four receptions for 102 yards, including a 37-yard score in the fourth quarter. Robert Foster was also deadly, tallying two catches for 115 yards, including a 65-yard score in the first quarter.

* Was anyone really surprised to see Hurts lead the team

"What I saw was we were playing against each other, so every time we completed one I was happy for the guy that completed it and I was saying, 'Why did the defensive guy let him complete it?" Saban said of the deep passes. "I guess to answer your question I'd have to say because we were playing against each other I had mixed emotions.

The No. 1 overall player in the 2017 class did not disappoint Saturday. Early enrollee Najee Harris led all running backs, rushing for 70 yards on 17 carries, an average of 4.1 yards per carry. While Alabama struggled to establish much of a run game on the day, Harris looked impressive, breaking tackles and even hurdling over a player in the first half. Fellow early enrollee Brian Robinson finished with 21 yards on seven carries, while Josh Jacobs had 28 yards on seven carries.

* Photo Gallery: 2017 A-Day Highlights

"I think that Brian Robinson had a really good spring. I think Najee made a lot of progress this spring," Saban said. "We've got Jacobs, we've got Damien Harris, we've got Bo (Scarbrough), who didn't play today. We've got B.J. Emmons from last year, who didn't play today. He can do some things. I think all these guys, a lot of competition. I think it will make them all better.

While Scott will get the credit for kicking the game-winning field goal, he did so at his own expense. As a member of the White team, Scott ensured that he will be eating the loser's meal of hotdogs and beans instead of the winner's meal of steak tomorrow.

"I just missed the one before for the White team, but my mindset was 'I'm just going to go out there and do my job,'" Scott said.

Scott said while his White team teammates were upset about losing, none of them gave him a hard time after the game.

Saban's pregame speech was short and simple as the head coach focused on three things he wanted from his players on the day.

The first thing Saban mentioned was "ownership," stating he wanted his players to be accountable for every part of their performance on the field. The second thing was "keeping to the standard." Saban challenged his players to stick to the standard of toughness and being elite on the field. Saban concluded by telling his players to "respond well to adversity."

Notable former players included all four team captains from last season in Reuben Foster, Jonathan Allen, Cam Robinson and Eddie Jackson. Other players from last season's team were Ryan Anderson, Tim Wiliams, Marlon Humphrey, O.J. Howard, ArDarius Stewart and Dalvin Tomlinson.

Notable pro players included Dont'a Hightower, Andre Smith, Derrick Henry, Chance Warmack, Jalston Fowler, D.J. Fluker and A'Shawn Robinson among others.

Getting to watch the game on the White team sideline, I had the opportunity to really study Tagovailoa on the day. The first thing you notice about the Honolulu native is his smile. Tagovailoa seemed relaxed for the scrimmage, dancing to the music from the fans and even dropping the shaka or "hang loose" sign to cameras.

That's not to say the 6-foot-1, 219-pound quarterback wasn't taking things seriously. After every series, he would go over plays with wide receivers coach Mike Locksley, often asking for more clarification before ending each conversation with a nod and a confident smile.

After a hot start, the early enrollee failed to move the ball on several drives. During that time the White team was also struggling to run the ball and protect Tagovailoa in the pocket.

That prompted offensive line coach Brent Key to tear into his lineman on the sidelines. Following the tirade, Tagovailoa shook every one of the lineman's hands, telling them "good work" and "this is on me."

Many of Locksley's conversations with Tagovailoa revolved around utilizing his tight ends better. On some occasions, Locksley notified Tagovailoa that he had forced balls downfield when he had an open tight end on an easier pass. The quarterback took note, nodding in agreement.

At one point in the first half, Alabama tried a reverse pass. While the play ended up falling incomplete starting cornerback Anthony Averett came off the field understandably confused.

"I didn't know what to do," Averett said with a smile coming off the field.

After White team receiver T.J. Simmons dropped a pass in the first half, former receiver Ar'Darius Stewart let him know about it. A former leader of a unit that has referred to itself as the "assassins" Stewart called for an improvement from the receivers.

"I'm tired of that soft (stuff)," Stewart said to Simmons.

Surprised, Simmons questioned "Me," to which Stewart responded by saying, "All of y'all. Y'all need to go get it right."

The speech apparently had an impact on Simmons who finished with a team-high six catches for 82 yards.

Stewart was involved in another funny incident on the sideline. Messing with former teammate A'Shawn Robinson, the receiver shadow boxed the defensive end right in his face. Without flinching, Robinson, 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, just shook his head and rolled his eyes.

Alabama strength coach Scott Cochran is always looking to make sure the sideline is ready for anything. The always energetic assistant twice swatted the ball out of running back B.J. Emmons' hands, one time knocking it onto the field of play. Cochran even tried to knock out my notepad at one point, albeit unsuccessfully.

He was a fun coach to be around, even joking with me that I should go up and make a speech during halftime in the White locker room.

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