Alabama Overcomes 17-Point Deficit to Beat Oklahoma 34-24 in CFP First Round
Alabama staged a dramatic comeback from a 17-point deficit to defeat Oklahoma 34-24 in the College Football Playoff (CFP) first round. The victory advances Alabama to the Rose Bowl where they will face No. 1 seed Indiana and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.
Quarterback Ty Simpson led Alabama with 232 passing yards and two touchdowns. Freshman Lotzeir Brooks contributed significantly with two touchdowns and five receptions totaling 79 yards. On the Oklahoma side, quarterback John Mateer threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, Zabien Brown scored a touchdown on a 50-yard interception return in the second quarter.
Tate Sandell tied an FBS single-season record by making eight field goals of 50 yards or more after converting a 51-yard field goal during the game. However, his streak ended after missing attempts from 36 and 51 yards later in the match. A pivotal moment came when Oklahoma's punt snap by Grayson Miller was dropped, leading to a block by Tim Keenan III and a subsequent 40-yard field goal by Conor Talty for Alabama.
This matchup marked the third meeting in 13 months between Alabama and Oklahoma, with Oklahoma having won previous encounters 24-3 at home last November and 23-21 on the road last month. Alabama's head coach Kalen DeBoer celebrated his first playoff victory with the Crimson Tide since joining from Washington two years ago.
Entertainment was highlighted by a performance from 50 Cent, who sang "Many Men (Wish Death)" between the third and fourth quarters, energizing the Sooners' fanbase during the game.
