Michigan squanders massive takeaway with offensive, special teams blunders
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Michigan had a great chance to regain momentum in the Rose Bowl. However, a huge takeaway was wasted with the Wolverines failing to get points.
After Alabama re-took the lead and got the ball back, Jalen Milroe was looking to get more points for the Crimson Tide with a shot to pull away. However, he coughed the ball up while stumbling and trying to gain yardage on the outside.
The Wolverines recovered and were put in a golden spot to regain the lead with a short field in front of them:
JALEN MILROE FUMBLES AND MICHIGAN RECOVERS ?
?: ESPN | #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/ILLsa1W1mI
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2024
Unfortunately, a flea-flicker attempt on 2nd-and-10 by Michigan was doomed from the start. Alabama’s rush busted through the line and hurried Blake Corum’s lateral. The ball bounced the turf and it was all JJ McCarthy could do to get on top of the ball.
— wow that was crazy (@CowardlyDoggo) January 2, 2024
On 3rd-and-long, Michigan avoided trying to get a huge pickup and the first down. Instead, they picked up some yardage to try for a more manageable field goal, but the ensuing attempt was hooked wide left by James Turner.
— wow that was crazy (@CowardlyDoggo) January 2, 2024
It’s the latest in a string of special teams blunders by the Wolverines and keeps Alabama in control at 17-13 as we go past the midway mark of the fourth quarter. Can the Crimson Tide take advantage after Michigan’s miscues?
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
