Atlanta Legends Turn to Aaron Murray, Get First Victory
The Atlanta Legends were the only team in the Alliance of American Football without a win entering Sundays contest. When starting quarterback Matt Sims was injured, former UGA star Aaron Murray entered the game and proceeded to lead the Legends to their first triumph.
The Atlanta Legends not only entered Sunday’s AAF game against the Arizona Hotshots as the only winless team, they also were last in the league in scoring points. It was clear that the team needed a jolt in the arm. I have often wondered if former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray, the Legends’ backup quarterback, were inserted into the lineup, would be able to recapture his college magic and lead the team to a win. Kit Anderson my colleague here at Atl All Day, wondered this allowed himself in this piece.
On Sunday we got our wish. Unfortunately it came at the expense of an injury to starting quarterback and former Atlanta Falcons backup up Matt Sims. Aaron Murray replaced him and sparked the offense. The Legends moved the ball much better than they previously have, though they stalled in the red zone and turned the ball over on a fake field goal. Murray drove the team on a second quarter touchdown drive in which running back and former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson scored on a nine yard scamper.
The highlight of Denard Robinson’s touchdown can be viewed in this tweet from the Official AAF Twitter account:
Shoelace out here doing Shoelace things. Touchdown, @aaflegends! #ATLvsAZ pic.twitter.com/pFC8E0hgqO
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 4, 2019
Aaron Murray continued moving the ball and helped the team produced two more field goals. This includes the game winning kick by Younghoe Koo. Murray threw the ball well, and used his scrambling to keep the defense off track. For the game he completed 20 of 33 passes for 254 yards. He did not throw a touchdown, but he also did not throw and interception. This marks the first time all season, that an Atlanta Legends quarterback did not throw and interception in the game. All of the stats can be found on the AAF official website.
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In addition to his efficient passing, Aaron Murray also led the team in running with 54 yards on seven carries. That’s a robust average of 7.7 yards per rush. It’s clear that Murray still has the skills that nearly lead the Georgia Bulldogs to an SEC title, as he come up just short against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Atlanta Legends would be wise to name Aaron Murray the starter going forward. Not only does he give the Legends their best chance to win, he will also elicit the support of the UGA faithful fans. Personally I will spend the money to attend a home game, just to see the Georgia Bulldogs great throw the football again if he is named the starter.