Tua Tagovailoa sets multiple Alabama records agaisnt Ole Miss

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Tua Tagovailoa is running out of records to break at Alabama. During Saturday’s 59-31 victory over Ole Miss, the left-hander continued his assault on the Crimson Tide’s record books, setting the school’s single-game marks for passing touchdowns and total touchdowns while also moving to No. 1 on the team’s all-time list in both categories.

By the time he left the field midway through the fourth quarter, Tagovailoa completed 26 of 36 passes for six touchdowns with no interceptions while adding another score on the ground. The seven total touchdowns top his previous school record of six set last year against Auburn, while his six passing touchdowns also set a single-game school record. Tagovailoa had previously thrown for five touchdowns passes three times, including each of the past two weeks.

“I think the most touchdowns I’ve ever accounted for was nine in high school,” Tagovailoa said. “It’s not like I go out there and say ‘OK, I want to try to account for 10, 12.’ I just go out there and play football, and if the opportunity presents itself then I’m going to go ahead and take a shot.”

Tagovailoa’s seven total touchdowns give him 86 on his career, passing McCarron (80) on the school’s all-time list. His sixth touchdown pass Saturday gives him 77 on his career, tying him with McCarron for most by an Alabama player. It took Tagovailoa 27 games to reach both marks, while McCarron put up his numbers over 53 games.

“I feel like it’s just the guys I’m surrounded with. That’s all I can say,” Tagovailoa said. “Those guys are the ones that make me look good. Those guys are the ones that make plays for me, so it’s really those guys. Starting up front with the O-line to the running backs and just the entire receiving corps.”

No one helped Tagovailoa more Saturday than receiver DeVonta Smith, who recorded 11 receptions and set two school single-game records with 274 yards and five touchdowns through the air. Tagovailoa found Smith on his first five touchdown passes before hitting tight end Miller Forristall for the record-breaker in the fourth quarter.

“I think all are guys are in the zone,” Tagovailoa said. “It just so happened that (Smith) was in the zone for about five times. He made plays when plays needed to be made. I think he did a great job today.

“It’s what the defense gave us. I didn’t realize until probably after the third touchdown throw that DeVonta scored three of them already. He was the person who was open pretty much all the time, so I just got him the ball.”

Through five games, Tagovailoa has completed 76.3 percent of his passes for 1,718 yards and 23 touchdowns with no interceptions. He’s also added two more scores on the ground.

Alabama (5-0, 2-0 in the SEC) will be off next week before traveling to Texas A&M (3-2, 1-1) on Oct. 12.

“I think there’s a lot of improvement that still needs to be done. You know with checking out of plays, stepping up. It’s just a lot of things that I think I can work on some more.”

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