Alabama storms back to beat Oklahoma, advances in CFP first round
Crimson Tide erase 17-0 deficit, rally for 34-24 win to set up showdown with top-ranked Indiana
Alabama overcame a 17-0 deficit to defeat Oklahoma 34-24 in the College Football Playoff first round, advancing to the second round.
Oklahoma jumped out to a 17-0 lead, but the Crimson Tide answered with 10 straight points and tied the game before halftime on a 50-yard interception return by Zavien Brown.
Alabama carried that momentum into the second half, scoring the first 10 points of the third quarter to take a 27-17 lead, a drive highlighted by a circus catch by Germie Bernard that set up a short rushing score by Daniel Hill.
Oklahoma answered with a 37-yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Mateer to Deion Burks, trimming the deficit to four.
Alabama then steadied and closed out the game with a late, clock-draining drive led by quarterback Ty Simpson, finishing with a short rushing score by Hill to push the final margin to 34-24.
The win preserved one of college football’s oldest streaks: no team has beaten the Crimson Tide twice in a single season since 1893.
Alabama will move on to face top-ranked Indiana in the CFP’s second round.