Alabama rallies from 17-point hole to stop Oklahoma in CFP opener.
NORMAN, Okla. — Ty Simpson threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns as No. 9 seed Alabama erased a 17-point deficit to defeat No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24 on Friday night in the opening round of the College Football Playoff.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these guys,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. “Resiliency has been a theme all season, and it showed tonight on the road. Down 17, they just stayed the course.”
Freshman Lotzeir Brooks delivered a breakout performance for the Crimson Tide, scoring two touchdowns after failing to find the end zone during the regular season. He finished with season highs of five receptions for 79 yards.
The game marked the third meeting between the programs in the past 13 months. Oklahoma had won the previous two matchups, including a 24-3 victory last November in Norman and a 23-21 win last month in Tuscaloosa.
The victory gave DeBoer his first playoff win with Alabama since taking over from Washington two years ago. The Crimson Tide (11-3) advanced to face No. 1 seed Indiana and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza in a Rose Bowl quarterfinal on Jan. 1.
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer passed for 307 yards and two touchdowns, but a costly second-quarter interception proved pivotal. Alabama defensive back Zabien Brown returned the pick 50 yards for a touchdown, swinging momentum in the Tide’s favor. Deion Burks led the Sooners (10-3) with seven catches for 107 yards and a score.
“It was a really good game with some great moments for us,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said. “But there were also some ill-timed moments. When we needed it most, we didn’t do enough.”
Sooners kicker Tate Sandell, the Lou Groza Award winner, tied an FBS single-season record with his eighth made field goal of 50 yards or longer, drilling a 51-yarder into a stiff wind late in the first quarter to extend Oklahoma’s early lead.
Despite being outgained early, Alabama’s resilience and timely plays fueled a comeback that ended Oklahoma’s playoff run.
