UPDATE: In a thrilling comeback, No. 9 seed Alabama surged back from a 17-point deficit to defeat No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24 in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Friday night. The Crimson Tide will now face unbeaten No. 1 seed Indiana in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2024.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson showcased his skills with 232 passing yards and two touchdowns, leading his team to an impressive turnaround. Freshman Lotzeir Brooks, who had not scored a touchdown all season, made a remarkable impact with five catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns of his own.
The game marked the third meeting between Alabama and Oklahoma in just over a year, with the Sooners winning both previous matchups. However, this time, Alabama’s resilience shone through as they scored 27 unanswered points after falling behind.
Oklahoma started strong, with quarterback John Mateer throwing for 307 yards and two touchdowns. However, a critical interception thrown by Mateer was returned 50 yards for a touchdown by Alabama’s Zabien Brown, tying the game late in the second quarter. The Sooners’ Deion Burks contributed with seven receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown.
Oklahoma’s Tate Sandell, the Lou Groza Award winner, initially gave the Sooners a commanding lead with a 51-yard field goal, tying an FBS record for most field goals of 50 yards or more in a season. However, he faced adversity late in the game, missing two critical field goals that could have changed the game’s outcome.
Alabama’s comeback began with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Simpson to Brooks, narrowing the gap to 17-7. The Crimson Tide quickly turned the tide, with Brooks catching a 30-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter, marking Alabama’s first lead of the game at 21-17.
As the game progressed, Alabama’s defense held firm, while Oklahoma struggled to capitalize on their opportunities. The Sooners managed to score again with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Mateer to Burks, but Alabama’s lead proved insurmountable.
The victory is a significant milestone for Alabama, marking their first playoff appearance under head coach Kalen DeBoer since he took over two years ago. The Crimson Tide improved their record to 11-3 and are set for a high-stakes clash against Indiana and their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
WHAT’S NEXT: Fans are eagerly anticipating the Rose Bowl matchup, which promises to be an electrifying showdown. Alabama will aim to build on their momentum, while Indiana looks to maintain their unbeaten streak. Stay tuned for more updates as the playoff picture continues to unfold.
