Michigan uses goal-line stand to top Alabama in OT for thrilling CFP semifinal win
PASADENA, Calif. The Rose Bowl on Monday evening defied axioms of life and college football alike.
The first: that cheaters never win.
The second: that Alabama always wins.
Michigan laid waste to those as it advanced to the national title game amid the cloud of a sign-stealing scandal, defeating the Crimson Tide 27-20 in an overtime epic that crackled and shook until the goalposts came down along with maize and blue confetti.
It ultimately added up to the programs greatest victory since it last won a national championship in 1997.
The Wolverines will face Washington in the title game this coming Monday in Houston.
Its unreal, brother, wideout Roman Wilson said in a joyous Michigan locker room. This is everything I ever dreamed of since I committed to the University of Michigan and since I started playing football.
7Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates his team’s Rose Bowl win over Alabama on Monday. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConWhere Michigan had lost a shootout of a semifinal last year in the Fiesta Bowl, it succeeded this time around in dramatic fashion, with J.J. McCarthy leading a late scoring drive to tie the game before the Wolverines won in overtime on a dramatic stand from the 3-yard line.
Were so together, so connected, coach Jim Harbaugh said. We were going to overcome anything that was inside this stadium.
After Alabama took a 20-13 lead with 4:41 to go, McCarthy took Michigan on an eight-play, 75-yard drive over the next 3:05.
7Tyler Booker #52 and Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide react after losing to the Michigan Wolverines 27-20 in overtime during the CFP Semifinal Getty ImagesThat drive, which featured a fourth-and-2 conversion from the Wolverines own 33 and a soaring Wilson catch, finished as McCarthy flipped the ball to Wilson in the flat for a touchdown, tying the game at 20.
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That was enough to force overtime after Michigan had blown a 13-10 lead entering the fourth quarter.
We didnt play our best football. We werent playing mistake-free football. We had a lot of mistakes, left guard Trevor Keegan said. Shoot, we didnt really deserve to win. But our guys pulled through and just played for each other.
It took the Wolverines just two plays to get into the end zone on their first possession of the extra period, with Blake Corum bouncing off tacklers on his way to runs of eight and 17 yards to hand Michigan a 27-20 lead.
All it needed to do then was produce a stop.
It would come down to fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line after Jalen Milroes pass to Jermaine Burton got the Tide into scoring territory from the 14-yard line.
7Alabama running back Jase McClellan (2) celebrates his rushing touchdown during the second half in the Rose Bowl on Monday. AP
7 Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Roman Wilson (1) scores a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter in the 2024 Rose Bowl. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConAfter a low snap, Milroe ran straight into the teeth of the defensive line handing the Wolverines a coveted, dramatic and long-awaited victory.
We knew what they were gonna try and do, defensive tackle Mason Graham told The Post. We knew they were gonna try and live or die by their quarterback. Thats what they did and we were ready for it.
The Wolverines had the better of the game early, but it only translated to a 13-10 lead entering the fourth. That was when Alabama woke up.
7Washington and Michigan will meet for the national championship on Monday in Houston.
7Wolverines wide receiver Roman Wilson (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConThe Tide started to impose their will on an eight-play 55-yard drive that traversed the third and fourth quarters.
Justice Haynes and Milroe compiled runs of nine, eight, 10 and 18 yards as the Tide churned their way down the field, culminating in a 3-yard walk-in score for Jase McClellan to put Alabama ahead 17-13.
Michigans hopes looked all but lost after it failed to capitalize on Milroes fumble, with James Turner missing a 49-yard field goal that would have cut the deficit to one.
7Josh Wallace #12 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Getty ImagesBut after the Wolverines held Alabama to a 52-yard field goal of its own which Will Reichard converted to make it 20-13 they had the ball and a chance to tie the game with 4:41 left.
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Then came McCarthy, Corum and a defensive stand etched in forever.
Then came Michigan, toppling mighty Alabama and moving one step away from a pinnacle its reached just once since 1948.
Michigan has done so amid one of the most tumultuous seasons in recent memory a self-induced ringer complete with multiple NCAA investigations, sign-stealing allegations, the firing of its linebackers coach and multiple suspensions of coach Jim Harbaugh to go with the annual rumors of an NFL departure.
And that might only make it sweeter if the Wolverines can finish off a title.
It just shows how locked in these young men, Jim, our coaching staff have managed it, athletic director Warde Manuel told The Post. Its just a great feeling.
Theres no vindication. We have one more game left. But Im so proud of these young men and Jim and the coaching staff.
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