Oklahoma football: Film study shows Jalen Hurts can succeed at OU

2017 – 15-yard pass to Cam Sims vs. LSU

The Tide were up 14-3 with 3:44 to go in the third quarter and looking to finish off rival LSU. Faced with  a third-and-9 from the Tiger 40 yard line the LSU defensive line broke through almost immediately, forcing Hurts from the pocket. When he rolled right, so did the LSU defense to shrink any kind of throwing window he might have toward that sideline. Somehow, even with four different LSU defenders crashing down on the play Hurts managed to get the ball into Sims’ hands, extend the drive and eventually go up 21-3 to put the game out of reach. This throw had everything, elusiveness, keeping your eyes downfield under pressure and both the accuracy and power to make it all work. Every offensive coach worth his salt would tell you not to make that throw because most people attempting it are going to throw an interception or have the ball knocked down, but Hurts believed in his elite arm and the guy catching the ball. Great quarterbacks have to know when to believe in their own talent and Hurts did just that right here.

2017 – 61-yard pass to Calvin Ridley vs. Mississippi State

In one of the best games of the entire 2017 season, Hurts had to make play after play to keep his team from ending up on the wrong side of an upset. Down 14-7 on second-and-10 with 9:45 to go in the  second quarter. The Crimson Tide have called a deep pass over the middle and Hurts is looking that direction from the time he takes the snap. The Bulldogs are all over it. He tries to step up in the pocket, but finds pressure in his face so he bails to the right. There is probably room to get some yardage and set up a third-and-manageable if Hurts choses to use his running abilities, but he’s thinking big money. As the play flows to the right Ridley reaches the end of his crossing route and turns upfield, breaking wide open. Hurts throws a touch pass up the right sideline and hits Ridley in stride. With both safeties crashed down to cover the original play over the middle, it’s smooth sailing to the end zone to tie the game. It looks so much like a Kyler Murray or Baker Mayfield play it’s a little eery to be honest. When a quarterback can use his athleticism to buy more time and allow receivers to improvise, it’s a lethal dose of poison to even the most disciplined defenses.