ATLANTA -- Jake Browning had nowhere to hide.
Washington’s star quarterback could only backpedal in the face of a constricting Alabama defense midway through the second quarter. Linebacker Reuben Foster had broken through the line untouched, and was closing in on him like a missile.
So Browning, who had been so careful with the ball all season, bailed, flipping it into the flat to avoid another crushing hit at the hands of the Crimson Tide. It would result in Browning’s eighth interception and Alabama’s 15th non-offensive touchdown as linebacker Ryan Anderson jumped the pass, got both hands on the ball and steamrolled running back La’von Coleman on his way into the end zone.