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Quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates after the Wolverines beat Alabama to earn a berth in the US College Football Playoff championship game (Sean M. Haffey)
Undefeated Michigan and unbeaten Washington will meet next Monday in the US College Football Playoff championship game after capturing dramatic semi-final thrillers on Monday.
Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy threw three touchdown passes and Blake Corum ran for the winning overtime touchdown as the Wolverines beat Alabama 27-20 in the Rose Bowl at Pasadena, California.
“We were going to overcome anything that was inside this stadium,” said Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, whose team lost in the semis the past two seasons.
In next Monday’s final at Houston, the Wolverines will face the Washington Huskies, who outlasted Texas 37-31 in the Sugar Bowl at New Orleans, stretching their two-season win streak to 21 games.
Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. completed 29-of-38 passes for 430 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
“The guy was on a mission,” Huskies coach Kalen deBoer said. “Each and every drive he made the plays to help us win.”
Dillon Johnson ran for 49 yards and two touchdowns before getting hurt in the final seconds, an injury that prevented Washington from running out the clock, giving Texas a final chance.
“You’ve just got to move on when tough breaks come your way and not let negative thoughts get in your head,” deBoer said. “I’m just proud of the way the guys were out there just battling.”
The Longhorns drove to the Huskies 12-yard line before a last-second pass fell incomplete.
“It was amazing,” Penix said. “We just find a way to win and that’s what we did today. It was a great one.
“Our goal was to win a national championship. Now we have the chance to do it.”
The contests featured some of the top prospects for April’s NFL Draft.
Both Rose Bowl rivals were…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-beats-alabama-us-college-023016994.html
Author : AFP
Publish date : 2024-01-02 06:44:30
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