HAWAII GROWN: Tua has career day

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a career day and still sat out the entire fourth quarter.

The 2017 Saint Louis alumnus threw for a career-high 387 yards and accounted for a career-best five touchdowns in the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide’s 45-23 victory over No. 22 Texas A&M today at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Tagovailoa set career highs in passing attempts (30) and completions (22) and tied his best outing of four touchdown passes. His fifth score was on a 1-yard TD run.

The 387 passing yards are the fifth-most in school history. Only Blake Sims (2014) has thrown for more yards at Alabama under head coach Nick Saban.

Tagovailoa threw a 57-yard touchdown pass with 2:01 left in the third quarter and didn’t return to the game with Alabama ahead 45-16 at that point.

Through four games this season, Alabama is outscoring its opponents 148-20 in the first half.

As the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback this season, Tagovailoa has led the Alabama offense to 20 touchdowns in 31 drives. Another two ended with field goals.

Tagovailoa is now 17-for-20 passing on third down this season for 372 yards and six TD’s. He’s also rushed four times for 36 yards and picked up a first down on each attempt.

Next up for Alabama is Louisiana next Saturday at 6 a.m. Hawaii time.