Alabama running back Najee Harris set a record Saturday night in a 52-46 victory over Florida in the SEC championship game in Atlanta.
Harris not only set a SEC championship record with five touchdowns, he also set a conference record for career touchdowns by a running back with 53.
Closer to home, Harris broke Alabama’s career record for hasty touchdowns and rushing yards.
Harris, who called it “an honor” to set all those new standards, finished the evening with a total of 248 yards. He was dynamic in the passing game, with five throws for 67 yards, including touchdown plays of 23, 17, and 7 yards in Alabama’s first-half blitz. The shortest of those scoring catches was arguably his best, as Harris sent a potential tackler to the turf with a dazzling spin.
“I’ve been catching the ball since I was born,” he joked. “People don’t expect it because of the recurring name, but I can catch it.”
But it wasn’t just Harris who rewrote Alabama’s football history in its victory over seventh-ranked Gators.
DeVonta Smith broke his own record for receptions in a single match with 15 and became the school’s leader in receiving yards, surpassing Amari Cooper.
Smith went over 180 yards and added to his school record for receiving touchdowns (39).
Mac Jones, who finished with 418 yards and five passing touchdowns, set a SEC championship record for completions with 43.
Jones and Florida quarterback Kyle Trask did nothing to hurt their position as two of the leading Heisman Trophy contenders. Smith, the other top of the Crimson Tide, had no hope of the prize either.
After Saturday night’s performance, Harris should probably also be in the mix.
“I’m not worried about that,” he said. “The two guys we have up there are good enough.”
In addition to catching all those passes, Smith came up with a major fumble to recover after Florida Trey Dean picked a throw from Jones and snatched the ball away from the intended receiver, only to cough it up on a brutal, blind side hit by Alabama. John Metchie. Jones threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Smith on the upcoming game.
Alabama coach Nick Saban said the theme of the evening was, “We’ve found a way to win.”
After jumping out to an early lead, Florida clawed its way back, making it a one-ball game with less than a minute to go.
In the end, the Alabama attack, led by Harris and Smith, was too much for the Gators to overcome.
“I have to give a lot of credit to our transgression,” said Saban. “They answered the bell fairly consistently throughout the game. Over 600 yards. Smitty had 15 catches. Najee scored five touchdowns, was 178 yards in a hurry and caught five passes. certainly performed tonight when we needed them. “
The Associated Press contributed to this report.