UPDATE: In a thrilling turnaround, No. 9 Alabama defeated No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24 on Friday night, rallying from a staggering 17-point deficit in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The Crimson Tide will now face unbeaten top seed Indiana in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2024.
Alabama’s Ty Simpson showcased remarkable resilience, throwing for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman Lotzeir Brooks, who had yet to score in the regular season, emerged as a standout with two touchdowns and a season-high 79 yards on five receptions. This victory marks Alabama’s first playoff appearance under new head coach Kalen DeBoer.
The game, held in Norman, Oklahoma, saw Alabama initially struggle as they fell behind 17-0. However, a pivotal interception by Zabien Brown returned 50 yards for a touchdown changed the momentum, tying the game late in the second quarter. Alabama responded with a flurry of points, scoring the next 27 points to secure their victory.
“We played mistake-free ball and stayed focused after struggling early,” said DeBoer after the game.
Oklahoma’s John Mateer threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns but faced critical setbacks, including a costly interception that proved detrimental. Despite Deion Burks catching a 37-yard touchdown pass to make it 27-24 in the fourth quarter, the Sooners could not capitalize on their chances.
As the clock wound down, Oklahoma’s Tate Sandell, the Lou Groza Award winner, missed two crucial field goals, ending his streak of consecutive makes at 24. The Sooners, despite a strong start, ended their season at 10-3.
This matchup was the third encounter between Alabama and Oklahoma in just over a year, with Oklahoma previously winning both prior games. The stakes were high as both teams sought to prove themselves in the playoffs.
Next, all eyes will be on Alabama as they prepare for the formidable challenge posed by Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The upcoming game at the Rose Bowl promises to be a clash of titans as the Crimson Tide aim to continue their momentum.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as Alabama sets its sights on playoff glory!
