UPDATE: In a thrilling turn of events, No. 9 seed Alabama rallied from a staggering 17-point deficit to defeat No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24 Friday night in the first round of the College Football Playoff. This dramatic victory secures Alabama’s spot against No. 1 Indiana and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in the quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2024.
The game saw Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson throw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing resilience after falling behind early. Freshman Lotzeir Brooks, who had struggled throughout the regular season, made a remarkable impact with two touchdowns and a season-high 79 receiving yards.
Oklahoma’s quarterback John Mateer threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns, but a critical interception returned 50 yards for a touchdown by Alabama’s Zabien Brown shifted the momentum late in the second quarter.
The match began with Oklahoma dominating, as they quickly established a 10-0 lead with a 51-yard field goal from Tate Sandell, who tied an FBS record for the most field goals of 50 or more yards in a season. They extended their lead to 17-0 with a touchdown pass from Mateer to Isaiah Sategna.
However, Alabama’s offense ignited midway through the second quarter, responding with a touchdown from Simpson to Brooks, narrowing the gap to 17-7. The interception return by Brown tied the game at 17-17, marking a pivotal moment in the match.
As the third quarter unfolded, Alabama surged ahead with an early touchdown pass from Simpson to Brooks and a 40-yard field goal by Conor Talty, pushing the score to 27-17. Despite a late touchdown from Oklahoma’s Burks, Alabama maintained their lead, with Oklahoma’s attempts to close the gap thwarted by missed field goals from Sandell.
“This team showed incredible focus and determination,” said Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer. “After a rocky start, we found our rhythm and never looked back.”
The Crimson Tide’s comeback is a testament to their resilience, as they scored 27 unanswered points following their initial struggles. Alabama, now at 11-3, looks to capitalize on this momentum as they prepare to face Indiana in a high-stakes playoff matchup.
As the football world turns its eyes to the Rose Bowl, fans can expect a thrilling showdown as Alabama aims to continue their playoff journey against one of the season’s top teams. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
