UPDATE: In a thrilling comeback, the No. 9 seed Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners 34-24 in the first round of the College Football Playoff, overcoming a staggering 17-point deficit. This dramatic victory, achieved on the night of December 29, 2023, sends Alabama into the quarterfinals against the unbeaten top seed, Indiana, and their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2024.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson shone brightly, throwing for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman Lotzeir Brooks made a significant impact, scoring two touchdowns and achieving season highs with five receptions for 79 yards. This marks a turnaround for Alabama, who had struggled against Oklahoma in their previous two matchups, including a 24-3 defeat last November and a narrow 23-21 loss last month.
Despite a rocky start, where Alabama fell behind 17-0, the team rallied with impressive momentum. Oklahoma’s quarterback John Mateer threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns but suffered a critical blow with a late second-quarter interception. Alabama’s Zabien Brown returned the interception 50 yards for a touchdown, leveling the score at 17-17 before halftime.
Oklahoma had initially dominated, with Mateer connecting with Isaiah Sategna for a 6-yard touchdown and Tate Sandell, the Lou Groza Award winner, kicking a 51-yard field goal to establish a commanding lead. Sandell tied an FBS record with his 24th consecutive field goal.
Alabama quickly shifted the tide in the second half, with Simpson finding Brooks for a 30-yard touchdown early in the third quarter, taking the lead 24-17. The Crimson Tide extended their advantage with a 40-yard field goal from Conor Talty.
Oklahoma responded with a touchdown from Mateer to Deion Burks, bringing the score to 27-24, but the Sooners missed crucial field goals late in the game, allowing Alabama to secure the victory.
“Alabama played mistake-free ball and stayed focused after struggling early,” said Coach Kalen DeBoer following the game. “We scored the next 27 points after falling behind 17-0.”
This victory not only marks Alabama’s first playoff appearance under Coach DeBoer but also sets the stage for an exciting matchup against Indiana. Fans will be eager to see if Alabama can continue their momentum into the Rose Bowl and challenge for a national title.
As this story develops, stay tuned for updates on Alabama’s path forward and their upcoming clash with Indiana. The excitement surrounding the College Football Playoff is just heating up!
