themirror
During the Monday Night Football broadcast, ESPN analyst Troy Aikman was left puzzled by the lengthy college tenure of New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough. As Shough took his first snaps against the Atlanta Falcons, Aikman marveled at the quarterback's unusual path to the NFL, which spanned seven years at the collegiate level.
The NFC South clash held special significance, marking the 20th anniversary of the 'Domecoming'—the Saints' return to Caesars Superdome following Hurricane Katrina. As cameras focused on Aikman to discuss the Saints' offense, he couldn't hide his confusion. 'I'm not sure how you get seven years of college,' Aikman remarked. 'I don't understand college football these days anyway, but I've heard six years. I've never heard of seven.' Notably, Aikman did not call any Saints games during Shough's rookie season last year.
Shough's winding college career began with a redshirt season at Oregon in 2018. The following year, he watched from the sideline as Justin Herbert, now the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers, led the Ducks. Shough finally took over as Oregon's starter in 2021 before transferring to Texas Tech. COVID eligibility rules and a series of injuries—including a broken collarbone, shoulder issues, and a broken leg—extended his college stay. By 2024, he had moved to Louisville, where he threw for over 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns, earning Comeback Player of the Year honors for his best season yet.
In his rookie season last year, Shough completed 221 of 327 passes for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. The Saints list him with seven college seasons and a career total of 7,820 passing yards and 59 touchdowns before selecting him with the 40th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
While Shough's marathon college run baffled Aikman, the Falcons' offense made an even stronger impression early in the game. Atlanta surged to a 24-7 halftime lead, dominating on the ground and capitalizing on turnovers. Shough managed 12 completions on 19 attempts for 139 yards before the break but failed to reach the end zone. In the third quarter, he completed his first pass for 18 yards after six consecutive misses under heavy pressure.
Bijan Robinson torched the Saints for 103 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries before halftime, while Brian Robinson Jr. added another score. Atlanta racked up 138 rushing yards by the break. The game also coincided with NFL fans discovering the 20-year age gap between Aikman and his girlfriend.
Key Analysis
Aikman's astonishment highlights the increasingly complex paths college athletes can take to the professional ranks. Shough's seven-year journey, fueled by transfers and injury waivers, is a testament to perseverance but also raises questions about the evolving landscape of college football eligibility. Meanwhile, the Falcons' early dominance exposed the Saints' struggles, particularly on defense, as they failed to contain Atlanta's rushing attack. Shough's uneven performance under pressure underscores the challenges rookie quarterbacks face when adjusting to the NFL's speed and intensity.
Originally reported by themirror.