Rapid Reaction: Alabama roars back from slow start, defeats Oklahoma to advance in CFP
By Andrew Olson
Published:
At the 10:51 mark of the 2nd quarter, Oklahoma had 17 points and Alabama only had 12 yards. At the 4:30 mark in the 3rd quarter, Oklahoma had 17 points when Alabama had 27 points. In a thriller, Alabama leaves Norman marching on to the Rose Bowl after downing the Sooners 34-24 with a comeback for the ages.
Statistically, Oklahoma dominated the first half. OU out-gained the Tide 236 to 100 in total yards. Alabama was 1-of-6 on 3rd down to Oklahoma’s 5-of-10. But on the scoreboard, it was 17–17 thanks in large part to a blocked punt and a pick-6 by Zabien Brown.
The 3rd quarter was all Alabama. Those 15 minutes went 10-0 in the Crimson Tide’s favor, as Alabama opened up a 27-17 lead, stunning to all who had watched the Sooners dominate the 1st quarter. OU’s offense mustered only 27 yards of offense as the Sooners appeared lifeless in a collapse for the ages.
Oklahoma was not dead, but it was too little too late. The Sooners managed a 4th-quarter score to cut it to 27-24, but the OU defense that had been so dominant all year was unable to get the necessary stop. Alabama’s Germie Bernard made a highlight catch that may be remembered by the Tide faithful as the play of the night to help set up a rushing score that made it 34-24, the game’s final score.
With 232 passing yards, Ty Simpson now has 3,500 in 2025, moving ahead of Blake Sims for the fourth-best single-season mark on Alabama’s all-time list. John Mateer threw for 307 yards, finishing his season with 2,885 yards. Oklahoma hasn’t had a 3,000-yard passer since joining the SEC.
Simpson threw for 2 touchdowns, connecting with Lotzeir Brooks both times. On a night of only 28 net rushing yards, Daniel Hill managed a rushing score for the 3rd offensive TD. Brown’s dramatic pick-6 accounted for the other Tide TD.
The final box score reads in Oklahoma’s favor when it comes to total yards, passing yards, rushing yards, 3rd downs, total plays and time of possession, but it doesn’t matter with the final score favoring the Tide. For the Sooners, it’s more Playoff heartbreak as they’re now 0-5 in CFP games. Like the Georgia game years ago, OU was on the wrong end of a comeback from down 17 points.
Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama squad moves on to the quarterfinal round, where it will face No. 1 Indiana in Pasadena on New Year’s Day.
Alabama 34, Oklahoma 24
Here’s the box score (use the dropdown menu to select team or player stats), followed by the complete play-by-play:
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
