They say one play can change the pace and outcome of a game, and for the Crimson Tide, it was the case. For 15 minutes, it looked like Oklahoma was going to continue the trend of the home team dominating the postseason, but Bama cut a 17-point deficit. They scored 27 unanswered and would never let Oklahoma reclaim the lead. Alabama would win 34-24. Here’s a recap of the biggest comeback in playoff history.
CFP First Round Recap
Oklahoma’s Early Success
The Sooners started the game on a high note, forcing a three-and-out on Alabama’s first drive. Oklahoma would capitalize on the good field position, scoring on an eight-yard run from John Mateer. On the next drive, they would force Bama to punt again, this time from their own 14. The Sooners would once again use the good field position, making a 51-yard field goal. The Tide for the third drive in a row would go three and out, punting again. Oklahoma would once again find the end zone, this time on an eight-play 63-yard drive, ending it with a seven-yard touchdown to Isaiah Sategna.
By this point, Oklahoma had more points than Alabama had total yards on offense. They were far more dominant on both lines of scrimmage, moving Alabama players with ease. Nevertheless, Alabama used Oklahoma’s word against them, “Hard to Kill.”
Just Like That
After three disappointing drives, the Tide finally moved the chains on a 29-yard pass to the freshman Lotzier Brooks. Six plays later, they found themselves on 4th & 2 on Oklahoma’s 10. With a need for points, Ty Simpson and Tide gambled and found Brooks for a score. From that play, Alabama had all the momentum in the remainder of the first half. Oklahoma’s next drive was an instant three-and-out and a blocked punt by Tim Keenan II. They would end up making a field goal, cutting it to seven. Four plays later, Alabama cornerback Zabien Brown baited Mateer, intercepting him and taking it back for six. A 17-point lead was now eviscerated in minutes.
Oklahoma would once again look to punt before halftime, but would luck out due to a sideline penalty by Bama. At the end of the half, the score was tied at 17, with the Tide getting the ball, looking to build a lead off their momentum.
A Crimson Third Quarter
After both teams quickly went three-and-out on their first drives of the half, Alabama quickly built its own lead. On three plays, Alabama found Brooks deep for a 30-yard strike in the corner of the end zone. After another three-and-out, which consisted of two sacks. The Tide would use the next four-and-a-half minutes, kicking a 40-yard field goal, giving them a 10-point lead. By the end of the third, Alabama had flipped the script in the score and the intensity, dominating the line.
Looking to Climb Back
Oklahoma came right out of the break from their own 48-yard line, knowing it was now or never. They would score two plays after the break on a 37-yard pass to Deion Burks. A three-point game, Bama responded fast, finding Isaiah Horton for 37 yards down the sideline. Even with that strike, Oklahoma’s defensive line found a way to push Bama back, forcing a punt. Still, Oklahoma struggled to find consistency on offense, punting it right back. The Tide once again made a quick strike, finding Germaine Bernard on a contested 24-yard pass. This time, Simpson and the offense weren’t pushed back, giving them back a 10-point lead on a Daniel Hill six-yard run.
Last Ditch Effort
With less than six minutes left and another three-and-out, Oklahoma’s time to mount a comeback was running thin. Oklahoma would get the ball back with just under five minutes. Mateer and the offense would go down all the way to Alabama’s 18 with no timeouts. Down ten, the Sooners’ most reliable player, Tate Sandell, who hadn’t missed since week two and had recently been awarded the Lou Grouza award, was sent out to make it a one-score game again. Sandell would go up and shockingly miss for the second time all season. With that, Oklahoma’s chase for a comeback was over, along with their Rose Bowl and title hopes.
What’s Next
What felt like a repeat of the first matchup for Alabama, starting slow and sloppy in the first quarter, was quickly dismissed in the second. Oklahoma, this time, was the team that made mistakes on special teams and found themselves on the other end of a pick-six. Now the Tide are off to Pasadena, California, to face the number-one team in the nation, Indiana. For Oklahoma, a question looms: Who is the next quarterback for the Sooners?
Stay tuned for updates on future College Football Playoff games, including the three tomorrow.
Main Image: BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
