It wasn’t pretty from start to finish.
On the first play of the game, quarterback JJ McCarthy seemingly threw an interception to an Alabama defender only for the replay to overrule the call. The top-ranked Wolverines caught a break, but soon punted the ball away. While the defense held the Crimson Tide to a three-and-out, Michigan muffed the punt allowing the Tide to recover and eventually score the first touchdown — a 34-yard run from Jase McClellan.
Despite the opening sequence, Michigan battled back to force the first of two College Football Playoff semifinal games on the day into overtime and ultimately won, 27-20.
The win marks Michigan’s first Rose Bowl victory since January 1, 1998 — the last time the Wolverines won the national championship. Monday’s victory over No. 4 Alabama pits the Wolverines against No. 2 Washington at NRG Stadium in Houston for the championship on January 8.
While Alabama took the early lead at 9:41 in the first quarter, Blake Corum found pay dirt himself on an 8-yard sprint.
Michigan took the lead with 3:49 left in the half when McCarthy connected with Tyler Morris for a 38-yard score. Michigan, however, missed the extra point to hold a 13-7 advantage. Alabama kicker Will Reichard notched a 50-yard field goal with seven seconds left to bring the Tide closer, 13-10.
Both sides were held scoreless through the third quarter, with Alabama gaining momentum in the final frame. McClellan, again, scored for the Tide on a 3-yard run 30 seconds into the fourth. With 4:41 remaining, Alabama pushed their lead to 20-13.
Michigan found itself coming from behind but powered through, as McCarthy found Roman Wilson for a 4-yard score to even the tally.
The Wolverines managed to stall the Tide offense, forcing a punt with around a minute left in regulation. Despite receiver Jake Thaw signaling the fair catch deep with the expectation it would enter the endzone, he made a play for it once it hit the ground and was tackled at the 1-yard line. Michigan closed out regulation narrowly avoiding giving up the safety.
Michigan received the ball first in overtime and scored on a 17-yard sprint from Corum. The defense held strong and stalled Alabama, which made a poor snap on the final play that forced quarterback Jalen Milroe to run it up the middle to no success.
The Wolverines’ special teams unit was faulty all game, causing errors on two punts (first and fourth quarters) while kicker Jake Turner missed a 49-yard field goal and the PAT.
Michigan put up 351 yards of total offense, as McCarthy finished 17-of-27 for 221 yards and three touchdowns. Corum finished with 83 yards on 19 carries. Wilson had four receptions for 73 yards.
Defensively, Michigan finished with seven sacks against Alabama, including five in the first half alone.
In the other semifinal game on Monday, the Sugar Bowl, No. 2 Washington held strong against a late rally from third-ranked Texas to win, 37-31.
With the Wolverines and Huskies vying for the national title on Monday, it marks the first time the SEC is unrepresented in the national championship during the playoff era.
