UPDATE: In a thrilling comeback, the No. 9 seed Alabama stunned No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24 in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Friday night, overcoming a daunting 17-point deficit.
Alabama’s Ty Simpson shone with 232 passing yards and two touchdowns, while freshman Lotzeir Brooks scored twice, marking a standout performance with five catches for 79 yards. This victory propels Alabama (11-3) into a quarterfinal showdown against unbeaten No. 1 Indiana, led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, at the Rose Bowl on January 1.
The Crimson Tide’s resilience was on full display after falling behind 17-0 early in the game. Oklahoma’s John Mateer threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns but suffered a critical interception returned by Alabama’s Zabien Brown for a 50-yard touchdown that tied the game just before halftime.
“We just kept our focus and played mistake-free football,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer stated post-game.
Oklahoma began strong, with Tate Sandell kicking a 51-yard field goal to give the Sooners a 10-0 lead, tying an FBS record for most field goals of 50 or more yards in a single season. However, the tide turned as Alabama adjusted its strategy to rally back.
After a slow start, Simpson connected with Brooks for a 10-yard touchdown, igniting Alabama’s scoring streak. Brown’s interception return energised the team, allowing them to shift momentum and take the lead with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Simpson to Brooks early in the third quarter.
Despite Oklahoma’s attempts to regain control, including a 37-yard touchdown pass from Mateer to Deion Burks that narrowed the score to 27-24, missed opportunities plagued the Sooners. Sandell, previously flawless, missed two critical field goals, sealing Oklahoma’s fate at 10-3 for the season.
This significant victory marks Alabama’s first playoff appearance under Coach DeBoer, setting the stage for a high-stakes clash against Indiana, which remains undefeated this season. All eyes will be on this matchup as fans anticipate a thrilling contest at the Rose Bowl.
Stay tuned for more updates as Alabama prepares for this pivotal game!
