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In a dramatic College Football Playoff opening-round matchup, the Alabama Crimson Tide erased a 17-point deficit to defeat the Oklahoma Sooners 34–24 on Friday night in Norman, Oklahoma.
Quarterback Ty Simpson led the comeback, throwing for 232 yards and two touchdowns, as Alabama advanced in the expanded playoff format.
Early Oklahoma Dominance Sets The Tone
Oklahoma came out aggressively, controlling the opening quarter on both sides of the ball.
- John Mateer passed for 307 yards and two touchdowns
- Deion Burks recorded seven receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown
- Kicker Tate Sandell, the Lou Groza Award winner, drilled a 51-yard field goal into strong wind conditions
The Sooners built a 10–0 first-quarter lead and extended it to 17–0 early in the second quarter after Mateer found Isaiah Sategna for a 6-yard touchdown.
Oklahoma outgained Alabama 118–12 in the first quarter alone.
Turning Point: Alabama Finds Momentum
After three straight three-and-out possessions, Alabama finally ignited its offense midway through the second quarter.
Freshman wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks, who had not scored during the regular season, caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Simpson to make it 17–7.
Moments later, Alabama’s Zabien Brown intercepted Mateer and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at halftime.
That defensive score proved to be a massive momentum shift.
Second-Half Surge By The Crimson Tide
Alabama carried its momentum into the third quarter.
- Brooks struck again with a 30-yard touchdown reception, giving Alabama its first lead
- Conor Talty added a 40-yard field goal, pushing the advantage to 27–17
The Crimson Tide scored 27 unanswered points after trailing by 17, showcasing discipline and composure.
Missed Opportunities Seal Oklahoma’s Fate
Oklahoma attempted a late rally when Burks caught a 37-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, trimming the score to 27–24. However, missed chances proved costly:
- Sandell missed a 36-yard field goal with under three minutes remaining
- He later missed again from 51 yards, snapping his streak of 24 consecutive made field goals
Alabama closed the game with a late touchdown to secure the 34–24 victory.
What The Win Means For Alabama?
This marked Alabama’s first College Football Playoff appearance under head coach Kalen DeBoer, who joined the program from Washington two years ago.
With the win, Alabama (11–3) advances to face the Indiana Hoosiers and Heisman Trophy–winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza in a quarterfinal matchup at the Rose Bowl on January 1.
What It Means For Oklahoma?
Despite a strong start and solid individual performances, Oklahoma (10–3) couldn’t recover from the second-quarter interception return.
While Mateer limited mistakes overall, that single turnover shifted the game’s trajectory.
Alabama’s 34–24 comeback win over Oklahoma highlighted resilience, defensive playmaking, and timely offense.
Overcoming a 17-point deficit in a playoff environment underscores why the Crimson Tide remain one of college football’s most dangerous postseason teams.
With momentum on their side, Alabama now turns its focus to a high-stakes quarterfinal clash at the Rose Bowl.
FAQs
Who was the standout player for Alabama in the comeback win?
Ty Simpson threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, while freshman Lotzeir Brooks scored two receiving touchdowns.
What was the key turning point of the game?
Zabien Brown’s 50-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the second quarter tied the game and shifted momentum.
Who will Alabama play next in the College Football Playoff?
Alabama will face Indiana and quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the Rose Bowl on January 1.