The evolution of Jalen Hurts continued Saturday night, using his right arm and well-designed plays to boost Alabama's passing game.

Working just over half of the 66-3 humiliation of Ole Miss, Hurts started shaky before finding a groove that powered the Crimson Tide offense to the insurmountable lead.

A streak of nine straight completions spanning the first and second quarters did the trick. He's had similar runs before, but they were padded by screens or jet sweeps. This time Hurts challenged the middle of the field, throwing through defenders without endangering the turnover streak.

Those nine completions gained 188 yards and included two touchdowns. By our count, the nine passes were thrown a combined 126 yards downfield -- an average of 14 yards per attempt. None were bombs like the ball Hurts threw 45 yards in the air incomplete to Robert Foster on the game's second play.

Five of the nine went at least 20 yards in the air.

And five different players caught passes in that span with receivers, running backs and tight ends getting involved.

Hurts' final numbers included 197 passing yards, completing 12 of 19 throws with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His mistake-free streak now includes 169 passes dating back to the Auburn game last season. That's the third-longest run behind Brodie Croyle (190 in 2005) and AJ McCarron (291 from 2011-12).

The night didn't start as sharp for Alabama's sophomore quarterback. Nick Saban said he was a little "out of sorts" in the early going. A three-and-out included two unsuccessful down-field throws. The second went 27 yards in the air, missing a wide-open Calvin Ridley for an easy first down.

Then on the second drive, the interception streak nearly ended if not for a drop by an Ole Miss defender in the end zone. That would be the last incompletion until a third-quarter screen pass bounced instead of hitting Bo Scarbrough.

Perhaps his nicest throw in the nine straight completions was the 60-yarder to Cam Sims. Stepping up in the pocket, Hurts found the senior coming across the middle with defenders in the neighborhood. Sims broke a few tackles after catching the 27-yard pass to nearly score a touchdown. That score came moments later when Hurts froze the linebacker to dump a touch pass over the top for Hale Hentges' second career touchdown.

Later, he hit freshman Jerry Jeudy on a perfect corner rout to convert a third down. That ball went 27 yards down the field, dropped into the right window.

Hurts second touchdown went to running back Josh Jacobs who leaked out of the backfield for a wide-open pass that traveled another 27 yards.

Even a few of the incomplete passes thrown later were well-thrown balls down the field. One hit freshman Henry Ruggs III in the hands for what would have been a touchdown in the second quarter.

And Hurts' last throw went 28 yards downfield to Robert Foster, but the airborne receiver was pushed out of bounds before he could get a foot down.

It was a different looking plan from games earlier in the season. Two weeks prior, nine of Hurts 17 throws against Colorado State were screen passes or balls thrown behind the line of scrimmage.

The result Saturday comes as young receivers mature and new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll evolves as a play caller in Alabama's system.

"That comes with him being more comfortable now and he's going to get comfortable throughout the season," Hurts said. "Everybody gets comfortable throughout the season with the reps and the opportunities to do what you do. We just have to continue to take positive strides as an offense."

Up next, Hurts travels back home to face a Texas A&M team not far from where he grew up. In College Station he'll find an Aggie pass defense ranked 119th in the country, allowing 291.6 yards a game through the air.

Jalen Hurts throw-by-throw vs. Ole Miss

1. Incomplete, 45 yards in the air, just missed well-covered Robert Foster

2. Incomplete, 27 yards in the air, slight overthrow of wide-open Calvin Ridley

3. Complete, screen to Ridley at line of scrimmage, gain of 12

4. Incomplete, almost intercepted in throw to Hale Hentges in end zone.

5. Complete, up seem to Ridley, 10 in the air down the middle of the field for gain of 17 yards.

6. Complete across the middle, 27 in the air, through tight window to Cam Sims for 60 yards.

7. Complete across middle, 10 yards in the air to Hale Hentges for touchdown 3 yards. Play action froze the LB to allow wide-open throw.

8. Complete, screen to Ridley at line of scrimmage, block from DeVonta Smith for 9 yards.

9. Complete, flag route to Jerry Jeudy, 27 yards down field to left sideline, 26 yards.

First quarter: 6-for-9, 127 yards, 1 TD

10. Complete, out route near line to Jeudy for 5 yards.

11. Complete, throw back against the formation, 27 yards in the air to Josh Jacobs for touchdown, 18 yards. Hurts watched RB casually leak out of backfield without drawing a defender

12. Complete, swing pass to Robert Foster behind the line of scrimmage, 25 yards.

13. Complete, Josh Jacobs up the middle, 25 yards in the air as he's getting hit, 18 yards

14. Incomplete, screen to Bo Scarbrough in traffic

15. Incomplete, zinged to Henry Ruggs III in the end zone, dropped. Hit WR in hands scrambling on throw that went 25 yards in the air.

16. Complete, quick out to Irv Smith, 8 yards in the air, gain of 4.

17. Incomplete, hopped it to Ridley going down the sideline, 23 yards in the air

18. Complete, screen to Robert Foster, no gain

Second quarter: 6-for-9, 70 yards, 1 TD

19. Incomplete to Foster, stepping up under pressure, strike thrown 28 yards but Foster comes down out of bounds.

Third quarter: 0-for-1, 0 yards

Michael Casagrande is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande.