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PASADENA, Calif. − Sitting hunched over in the chair next to his locker, Alabama safety Caleb Downs kept giving the same answer to each question.
What changed the last drive and in overtime? “We didn’t finish as a team.”
Was there anything Michigan did differently? “We didn’t finish as a team,” Downs said again. “Alabama didn’t finish as a team.”
Asked about what was going through his head postgame, his answer didn’t change.
“We didn’t finish as a team,” Downs said, getting choked up as he finished the sentence.
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) and offensive lineman Tyler Booker (52) walk off the field after a loss to Michigan in their College Football Playoff semifinal at the 2024 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
Michigan, having not scored all of the second half, managed to drive 75 yards on eight plays to tie the score with 1:34 left. That forced overtime, and the Wolverines drove 25 yards in two plays and scored again.
That proved to be enough as the Alabama offense failed to score when it got its turn in overtime. So, the No. 4 Crimson Tide lost the Rose Bowl 27-20 to No. 1 Michigan. The Wolverines will play in the national championship game while the season comes to an end for Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
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“I can’t even think right now,” defensive back Malachi Moore said postgame. “I’m not going to lie. It just feels all surreal man. It’s tough. It’s tough. It’s tough.”
It’s a bit baffling, considering the defense had done so well with second-half adjustments. Alabama had given up only 44 yards over the first four drives after halftime. And two of those resulted in three-and-outs. The only second-half drive that wasn’t a punt was a missed field goal after the Wolverines had a short field following quarterback Jalen…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/happened-alabamas-defense-rose-bowl-043739561.html
Author : USA TODAY Sports
Publish date : 2024-01-02 04:37:39
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