NORMAN, Okla. — In a thrilling College Football Playoff first round matchup, Alabama emerged victorious over Oklahoma, coming back from a 17-point deficit to secure a 34-24 win on Friday night. Quarterback Ty Simpson threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, leading his team to a stunning turnaround.
“I just couldn”t be more proud of these guys,” said Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer. “Resiliency has been a theme all season, and it showed tonight on the road. Down 17, we came back one score at a time, just really stayed the course.”
Freshman Lotzeir Brooks, who had not scored during the regular season, made a significant impact with two touchdowns, alongside season highs of five receptions and 79 yards. This game marked the third meeting between the two teams within a year, with Oklahoma having previously defeated Alabama 24-3 at home last November and edging them 23-21 last month.
DeBoer”s victory marked his first playoff win since joining Alabama from Washington two years ago. With this win, Alabama (11-3) will face top-seeded Indiana and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza in the quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl on January 1.
Oklahoma”s John Mateer passed for 307 yards and two touchdowns but threw a pivotal interception that led to a 50-yard return for a touchdown by Alabama”s Zabien Brown in the second quarter. Receiver Deion Burks had an impressive game for the Sooners (10-3), catching seven passes for 107 yards and a touchdown.
“It was a really good game with some great moments for the Sooners,” said Oklahoma coach Brent Venables. “However, we had some ill-timed mistakes, both in coaching and playing, that hindered our success when we needed it most.”
Oklahoma”s Tate Sandell, the Lou Groza Award winner for the nation”s best kicker, tied an FBS record for the most field goals of 50 yards or more in a single season with his eighth. He converted a 51-yard field goal into a strong wind, giving Oklahoma a 10-0 lead late in the first quarter and marking his 24th consecutive made field goal.
In the first quarter, Oklahoma outgained Alabama significantly, 118 yards to 12. The Sooners continued their momentum into the second quarter, with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Mateer to Isaiah Sategna extending their lead to 17-0.
After struggling to move the ball early, Alabama finally found their rhythm midway through the second quarter when Simpson connected with Brooks for a 10-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 17-7. Later in the quarter, Brown”s interception return for a touchdown leveled the score at 17.
Brooks then caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Simpson early in the third quarter, giving Alabama its first lead at 24-17. A 40-yard field goal by Conor Talty extended the Crimson Tide”s run to 27 unanswered points.
“There wasn”t a doubt in my mind at all,” Simpson stated. “With the players and coaches we have, being down 17-0 was nothing to us. Just give us the ball, and we will do what we do.”
Burks scored on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Mateer just two plays into the fourth quarter, closing Alabama”s lead to 27-24. With Alabama ahead 34-24, Sandell missed a field goal attempt from 36 yards, ending his streak, and later missed again from 51 yards with just over a minute left in the game.
Oklahoma faced additional struggles on special teams, including a mishap by All-SEC punter Grayson Miller, who dropped a snap in the second quarter, leading to a blocked punt by Tim Keenan III that gave Alabama favorable field position. Talty capitalized on this opportunity, scoring a field goal to reduce the deficit to 17-10.
As a surprise entertainment boost, rapper 50 Cent performed his hit “Many Men (Wish Death)” during a break between the third and fourth quarters, a song that has become a recent hype anthem for the Sooners. Just two plays later, Mateer connected with Burks for a touchdown.
The game showcased Alabama”s ability to play error-free football and maintain focus despite a rocky start, scoring 27 consecutive points following the early 17-0 deficit. For Oklahoma, Mateer has had issues with mistakes this season; while he managed a relatively clean game overall, the interception proved crucial in shifting momentum.
