ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Jalen Hurts era of Alabama football began with the top-ranked Crimson Tide routing No. 20 USC 52-6 Saturday in Cowboy Stadium.
The true freshman, who took over after the second series, led Alabama on five scoring drives. Hurts accounted for two touchdowns through the air and another two on the ground in his collegiate debut.
Alabama opened the second half with a 71-yard bomb from Hurts to receiver ArDarius Stewart, extending the lead to 24-3. Stewart was all alone after a busted coverage in USC's secondary. On Alabama's next possession, Hurts capped a short drive with a 7-yard touchdown run.
Hurts added his second rushing score midway through the third on 6-yard scamper.
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Alabama redshirt freshman Blake Barnett, who started the game, returned and led two scoring drives. Barnett threw a 45-yard touchdown to wide receiver Gehrig Dieter to make it 52-6.
Hurts completed 6 of 11 passes for 118 yards with one interception. Barnett was 5-for-6 for 100 yards and one score. Alabama running back Damien Harris gained 138 yards on nine carries.
Nothing worked for USC all night. The offense never threatened in the red zone. Top receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was held to a paltry one catch for 9 yards.
Kicker Matt Boermeester did the scoring for the Trojans. He connected for field goals of 47 and 41 yards.
USC started quarterback Max Browne, but pulled him in favor of Sam Arnold when the game got out of hand. Browne finished 14-for-29 for 101 yards with one interception.
It took awhile, but Alabama eventually found its way in the opening half against USC. The Crimson Tide took a 17-3 lead over the Trojans into the break.
USC struck first on its opening drive. After a big pass play from Browne to receiver Darreus Rogers for 36 yards, Boermeester booted a 47-yard field goal to give the Trojans a 3-0 lead. That was the extent of USC's offense in the opening half.
The Trojans went three-and-out five straight series in the second quarter.
After entering the game on the third offensive series, Hurts got Alabama's offense on track. Hurts, who fumbled on the first play of his career, found Stewart wide open for a 39-yard touchdown to put Alabama up 7-3 midway through the second quarter.
Adam Griffith connected on a 29-yard field goal with 3:26 left in the first half to give Alabama a 10-3 lead.
Alabama's defense scored on the ensuing drive. A tipped pass from Browne was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey to make it 17-3.
NOTES: Redshirt freshman Blake Barnett got the start at quarterback for Alabama. Barnett edged redshirt junior Cooper Bateman for the job. Barnett was replaced by true freshman Jalen Hurts after the second series. ... Sophomore Damien Harris started at running back for Alabama. Harris passed Bo Scarbrough on the depth chart. ... USC DE Jabari Ruffin was disqualified late in the second quarter after stomping on an Alabama player.
