TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Jim McElwain never had a quarterback at Alabama like Jalen Hurts.
The freshman has emerged as the top-ranked Crimson Tide's most prolific rushing quarterback, a departure in style from the drop-back passers running the show during McElwain's days as offensive coordinator in Tuscaloosa.
Now, his No. 15 Florida Gators have to figure out a way to contain Hurts and the Tide in Saturday's SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.
"They've added a new dimension, obviously," the Gators coach said. "This quarterback is something that's real special, has created a lot of explosive plays not only for himself but obviously because you have to play that component, it loosens it up for some other guys. There isn't really a weakness on that team."
Now, though, the 6-foot-2, 209-pound Hurts will face the best pass defense of his career. The Gators rank third nationally in pass defense efficiency, behind only playoff contenders Ohio State and Michigan.
It's a challenge for a youngster who has been a dynamic playmaker but hardly immune to mistakes. (Coach Nick Saban doesn't allow freshmen to speak to the media during the regular season, so Hurts' own take on his play will have to wait until at least after the game.)
Hurts has passed for 2,454 yards and 21 touchdowns. He has set the single-season rushing record for an Alabama quarterback with 840 yards while accounting for half of the team's 24 touchdowns on the ground and 30 percent of the Tide's runs.
That's been good enough to lead the Tide to an undefeated regular season and secure Hurts a spot among the 10 finalists for the Manning Award as the nation's top quarterback.
But there's plenty for him to fix as a passer before a likely playoff game, and certainly in the next couple of years.
Hurts threw his eighth and ninth interceptions of the season in the first half against Auburn. That's more than any Alabama quarterback since Saban's first year in 2007, when John Parker Wilson was picked off 12 times.
Hurts also has fumbled nine times, losing five.
He's made more than enough plays to compensate for those mistakes, proving his resiliency along with his talent. Hurts is still learning on the job, after all, and Saban said he's "very dedicated" to improving.
"I don't think anybody on the team wants to play better at his position than Jalen Hurts," Saban said. "He wants to do well. You're still talking about a guy that's a freshman. You can't really coach experience. There are some things that guys just have to learn by doing and sometimes the best way to learn it is when you make mistakes."
Hurts took over the starting job after the opener against USC. Former five-star signee Blake Barnett started that game but soon left the program when it was clear Hurts was going to be the guy.
He's operating an offense with talented runners such as Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough and receiving threats such as ArDarius Stewart and Calvin Ridley.
But nobody has delivered more timely plays than Hurts. He has produced eight runs of 20-plus yards and some big passing plays, although he hasn't been particularly consistent with the deep ball.
McElwain praises not only Hurts' talent but his mental fortitude.
"I do know they've done a heck of a job playing to his strengths," he said. "He's fun to watch, I'm telling you. He's got a great command. He's calm. He doesn't get flustered. He takes what they give him. Yet they give him a crack, he can beat you with his feet.
"As coach [Saban] used to say about the running quarterbacks, it's like playing 12 guys on the field. It looks that way sometimes."
Saturday’s game
NO. 1 ALABAMA (12-0)
VS. NO. 15 FLORIDA (8-3)
WHAT SEC Championship Game
WHEN 3 p.m. Central
WHERE Georgia Dome in Atlanta
BETTING LINE Alabama by 24
SERIES RECORD Alabama leads 25-14
TELEVISION CBS
WHAT’S AT STAKE Alabama Coach Nick Saban needs three more victories to secure his fifth national title in 10 seasons with the Crimson Tide and sixth championship overall, which would equal Bear Bryant for the most by any coach. Even with a loss, Alabama has a shot at claiming one of four spots in the College Football Playoff for the third year in a row. Florida is merely a spoiler, looking to earn a trip to the Sugar Bowl by pulling off a massive upset.
KEY MATCHUP Alabama defense vs. Florida quarterback Austin Appleby. Florida: CBs Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson. Tabor has four interceptions this season and nine in his career, while Wilson has three in 2016. Both have returned interceptions for touchdowns.
FACTS & FIGURES This will be the ninth time in the 25-year history of the SEC Championship Game that Alabama and Florida have met for the title, with the teams splitting the previous eight meetings. ... Alabama defeated Florida 29-15 in last year’s title game.
Sports on 12/02/2016