Jalen Hurts was just happy to be there, had to settle for second place, but was his usual self, classy and cool, always applauding the Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow of LSU, and the first to congratulate him when he came off the stage

Jalen Hurts took it all in stride. He obviously knew that the Heisman Trophy was going to the LSU sophomore quarterback Joe Burrow, and then he found out he finished second.

It wasn’t close, Burrow had a remarkable season for the top-ranked Bayou Tigers who won all of their 13 starts. But Hurts, when interviewed later, spoke only about Burrow’s season, and the upcoming playoff semifinals for the 4th ranked Sooners against LSU in what is the Peach Bowl game in Atlanta.

This is the third time Oklahoma has been in the Final Four. It is 0-2 after losses to Alabama and Georgia, and in both games, the Sooners had first Baker Mayfield and then Tyree Murray, both of whom hoisted back-to-back the Heisman Trophy.

But Hurts said he takes one thing at a time, and now looks ahead to taking the field versus Burrow and the purple and gold. It will be his third time in the playoffs, the other two while playing quarterback for Alabama, and so he is 2-for-2. Now, while the Crimson Tide has failed to make the playoffs, Hurts is getting support from his former Bama teammates and coaches.

Why, well no doubt because of the way he had handled the adversity in his college career that included the transfer to Oklahoma after his graduation from Alabama.

Said one former teammate: “He’s a class guy, keeps the faith and keeps moving forward. I’ll never forget what Jalen brought to college football, and that includes class, teamwork, excitement and kindness. I’ll be rooting for Jalen once the playoffs start.”

Talking to Facebook recently, Alabama broadcaster Rick Karle praised Hurts for his character and his legacy of being a warrior. I see where Oklahoma is now a 13-point underdog, but knowing Jalen, it’s 0-0 before the opening kickoff, so I’m pledged to be rooting for Hurts and the Oklahoma Sooners in the college playoffs.

Naturally, Hurts watched in expected disappointment as Burrow was named the winner at the award ceremony in New York City. Sure he knew in his heart that Joe would win and he figured he would finish second, and that came true while Hurts constantly applauded Burrow after he was introduced, while he spoke, and was the first of the four finalists to congratulate Burrow.

Hopefully, he was thinking that while he didn’t win, he not only left it on the field, that he will make the scene against LSU, and toss the odds into the air. With the Sooners, he had a career-high 3,634 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and a 71.8-percent completion rate. He also had three games with over 480 yards of offense, the most in a single season for the storied program, and tied with Mayfield and Landry Jones.

His 47 touchdowns were the fourth-most in school history, and he was only two behind Mayfield. Now, in less than two weeks he will get a chance to prove all of his supporters right when he meets up with Burrow and company.

Oklahoma faithful were impressed by the mature way he went about things. He celebrated some, but was always in control of the game in front of him. His great leadership was admired, as was his knowledge of the game, how he counted on his legs and his arm, never blaming a teammate for a missed play.

Just the other day, a report came out that three Oklahoma players would be suspended for the Peach Bowl — key running back    Stevenson, key defensive tackle Ronnie Perkins, and wide receiver Trejan Bridges. Stevenson, a 6-foot, 238-pound junior, is a huge loss because he and Kennedy Brooks were the two Sooner threat at running the ball. Perkins will also be missed, for the 6-3, 245 sophomore, was one of the best via the rush and downfield tackling. Bridges, a 6-1, 184-pound freshman, was an up-and-coming reserve.

The news was passed on to Hurts, and he didn’t panic, told the media that he can’t do anything about it because rules are rules and he had no idea of the cause of the suspensions.

LSU also received some disturbing news, although it is still pending. It was learned that its leading running back, junior Clyde Edwards-Helaire had fallen to the turf during practice on Monday, was not touched, and it was said to be a hamstring injury, but the team officials had no comment.

Aside from the versatile Burrow, who is equally adept with his legs and arm, Edwards-Helaire is the main ball carrier, and leads the team with 1,290 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 6.5 yards per carry. Burrow, who like Hurts, made the transfer from Ohio State to LSU, is going to need someone like Edwards-Helaire when he operates the option, so stay tuned.