TAMPA, Fla. – No. 11/11/11 Alabama football fell in a hole early and was unable to finish the comeback, falling 19-13 to the Michigan Wolverines in the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on Tuesday. The Crimson Tide seemed to be driving for a potential game-winning touchdown in the final seconds but could not find the endzone deep in Wolverines’ territory on the game’s final drive. Jalen Milroe finished the afternoon 16-of-32 through the air, tallying 192 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Germie Bernard led all UA receivers with 80 yards on four catches, while Robbie Outzs hauled in a 25-yard touchdown catch to mark his lone reception.
Defensively, the Tide held the Wolverines to just 190 total yards of offense and 2.9 average yards per play in the loss. Jihaad Campbell managed 11 total stops, while Justin Jefferson and Bray Hubbard each recorded nine tackles. Zabien Brown also notched his third interception of the season, which finished tied for the team lead (Hubbard).
Head coach Kalen DeBoer closed his first season at Alabama with nine wins, tying him with Frank Thomas (1931) for the most victories by a first-year head coach in program history
The Tide’s opening four possessions included two fumbles, an interception and a turnover on downs, resulting in 16 points for the Wolverines
For the game, Alabama’s defense allowed 2.9 yards per play (66 total plays) and 2.3 yards per rush, however, Michigan dominated time of possession (38:12 compared to 21:48) and finished 4-4 in redzone opportunities
With 11 total tackles, Jihaad Campbell finished the 2024 campaign having recorded 10-plus stops in five of 13 games
James Smith’s quarterback sack in the third quarter was the first sack of his collegiate career
Robbie Ouzts’ touchdown reception in the second quarter was his second receiving score of the year, creating a new single season career high
Daniel Hill’s three-yard reception in the fourth quarter was the first catch of the running back’s career
How It Happened
First Quarter
8:15 – UM | Following an Alabama turnover on downs, Michigan opened the scoring with a 45-yard field goal (3-0, Michigan).
5:52 – UM | A Crimson Tide fumble set up the Wolverines deep in Alabama territory, eventually converting a 30-yard field goal (6-0, Michigan).
4:15 – UM | An Alabama interception once again gave Michigan a short field, as the Wolverines found the end zone with a 13-yard touchdown pass (13-0, Michigan).
2:04 – UM | The Crimson Tide’s second fumble of the quarter paved the way for a 21-yard Wolverines field goal (16-0, Michigan).
Second Quarter
4:06 – UA | Alabama closed a quick four-play, 71-yard drive, as Jalen Milroe found Robbie Ouzts for a 25-yard touchdown pass (16-7, Michigan).
0:04 – UA | With 58 seconds remaining in the first half, Alabama covered 90 yards in 54 seconds, allowing Graham Nicholson to convert a 24-yard field goal just before halftime (16-10, Michigan).
Fourth Quarter
7:21 – UM | The Wolverines concluded a nine-play, 47-yard drive with a 37-yard field goal to create a two-score lead (19-10, Michigan)
4:38 – UA | Graham Nicholson’s second field goal of the day, a 51-yard kick, ended an eight play, 42-yard drive to cut the lead to one score (19-13, Michigan)
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