Alabama football couldn’t dig itself out of the hole it dug in the first quarter against Michigan on Tuesday.
The Crimson Tide, who found itself down 16-0 after the first quarter, held the Wolverines to only three points in the final three quarters but ultimately fell 19-13 in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida.
REQUIRED READING:Alabama, Jalen Milroe suffer disastrous first quarter vs Michigan in ReliaQuest Bowl
Alabama had three turnovers in four plays at one point in the first quarter, in which Michigan gained possession inside the Crimson Tide‘s 30-yard line each time. Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe threw an interception and fumbled twice in the first quarter, which ultimately was the difference on Tuesday.
Alabama was the better team in the second half, but it couldn’t move the ball consistently enough to come back from its early deficit. It finished with 260 total yards, compared to Michigan’s 190.
The Crimson Tide (9-4) finish the 2024 season with four losses, the first time it reached that total since 2007, when it lost six games in Nick Saban’s first season. It’s a tough loss for Alabama, as Michigan was playing without most of its top players, who opted out to prepare for the 2025 NFL draft.
The game was Milroe’s last in an Alabama uniform, and it appears first-year coach Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide has some questions to answer this offseason.
Follow along below for highlights from Alabama’s loss to Michigan on Tuesday:
REQUIRED READING:Jalen Milroe NFL decision looms large as Alabama football preps for 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl
Milroe’s pass on fourth down is incomplete, and Alabama turns the ball over on downs.
Michigan is going to hold on for a 19-13 ReliaQuest Bowl win in a game where Alabama finished with six turnovers, three of which came on downs.
Alabama has drove down to Michigan’s red zone, however, it faces a fourth-down try with 56 seconds remaining.
The Crimson Tide, trailing 19-13, has to convert here.
Alabama forces a much-needed three-and-out before Ryan Williams fields a punt on the Crimson Tide’s own 6-yard line and returns it for a 38-yard gain.
Alabama takes over on its own 44-yard line with 2:18 left in the fourth quarter, needing a score to win this one.
Alabama continues to struggle to move the ball offensively, however, is able to get into field-goal range for Graham Nicholson, who hits a 51-yarder to make Alabama’s deficit 19-13.
It was a must-have kick for Alabama, as it’s now down only a possession with 4:38 to go in the fourth quarter.
Michigan caps off a nine-play, 47-yard drive with a 37-yard field goal after running the ball on each play.
Alabama finds itself down 19-10 with 7:21 left in the fourth quarter, and almost certainly needs points on this drive.
ESPN broadcast reports Warren will miss the rest of the game with a right knee injury. Warren was shown on the sideline in street clothes with crutches and an ice wrap around his knee.
The Crimson Tide gain one first down before eventually going for it on fourth-and-7, but it can’t convert, turning the ball over on downs.
Milroe found Jaylen Mbakwe on the fourth-and-7 try, but Mbakwe couldn’t haul in the pass in bounds.
True freshman cornerback Zabien Brown comes up with a big play, as he intercepts Orji on third-and-13 with 22 seconds left before the fourth quarter.
Alabama hopes the play can give it some momentum before the final period with a 16-10 deficit.
Alabama forces a punt, then runs four plays before punting itself.
Both teams struggling to find offensive success in the third quarter.
Alabama forces a punt after the sideline interference penalty but can’t capitalize on the stop as it runs four plays before punting itself.
Michigan regains the ball on its 20-yard line following Burnip’s 61-yard kick.
James Smith sacks Davis Warren for a 13-yard loss on third down, but Michigan gets an automatic first down after a sideline interference penalty, where multiple team members stepped onto the field following Warren’s injury.
Warren was injured on the play, with backup Alex Orji, who’s in the transfer portal, coming in for the Wolverines.
Alabama has a huge drive before halftime, as Milroe scrambles for a 41-yard gain before finding Germie Bernard for a 40-yard catch with under a minute remaining.
Alabama then spikes the ball and has two chances at the end zone, but can’t score, resulting in a 24-yard field goal by Graham Nicholson.
Alabama has done a nice job stifling Michigan in the second quarter, holding the Wolverines scoreless with 67 total yards in the quarter.
Michigan downs the punt on Alabama’s 4-yard line with 58 seconds remaining.
Alabama gets on the board, as it caps off a four-play, 71-yard drive with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Milroe to tight end Robbie Ouzts.
Alabama trails 16-7 with 4:06 left in the half.
Alabama regains possession after forcing the three-and-out. Crimson Tide still down 16-0 with 5:54 before halftime.
Milroe is sacked for an 8-yard loss on first down before throwing a pair of incompletions on second and third down.
Michigan takes back over on its over 29-yard line after the 52-yard punt by James Burnip.
Alabama forces a punt and takes over on its own 16-yard line after Ryan Williams fields the punt but is hit as he catches it.
The Crimson Tide need to get some offense going.
Through five possessions, Alabama has -1 yards of offense.
The Crimson Tide is forced to punt and give Michigan the ball back on the Wolverines’ 20-yard line.
The Crimson Tide do more damage control on defense, holding Michigan to a field goal despite the Wolverines starting on Alabama’s 6-yard line.
Alabama finds itself down 16-0 before the end of the first quarter and will need to gather itself to have a chance going forward.
First play of Alabama’s next possession, Milroe drops back to pass and is sacked and fumbled, with Michigan recovering once again.
The Crimson Tide now has three turnovers on its last four offensive plays. Michigan takes over on Alabama’s 6-yard line and has started each of its drives so far deep in Alabama territory.
Warren throws a 1-on-1 pass to the pylon, which Frederick Moore comes down with to give Michigan a 13-0 lead with 4:15 to go in the first quarter.
Freshman Zabien Brown was in on the coverage.
A bad start gets worse for Alabama, as Milroe throws an interception deep inside the Crimson Tide’s own territory.
Michigan takes over on Alabama’s 16-yard line.
Alabama forces a three-and-out, but Michigan hits the 30-yard field goal to take a 6-0 lead.
The Crimson Tide has done a nice job keeping the Wolverines’ offense at bay, despite Michigan’s strong field position on its two possessions.
With heavy rain breaking out in Tampa, Milroe can’t handle the snap out of the shotgun and fumbles the ball, which is recovered by Michigan.
Wolverines with a chance to go up 10-0 here, as they take over on Alabama’s 19-yard line.
Michigan takes advantage of its strong field position, getting stopped on third down but converting a 45-yard field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.
Alabama opts to go for it on fourth-and-4, but Michigan dials up the pressure and sacks Milroe for a turnover on downs.
Michigan and quarterback Davis Warren take over for their first possession of the game with rain starting to pour down in Tampa.
The Crimson Tide will take possession first, with Jalen Milroe and Co. looking to start the game off on a high note.
Left tackle Kadyn Proctor is expected to suit up for the Crimson Tide Saturday against the Wolverines, and play through a shoulder injury that has hampered him this season.
As a non-CFP game, the ReliaQuest Bowl will have its opt-outs. Star cornerback Will Johnson, defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, defensive end Josaiah Stewart, tight end Colston Loveland, running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards and left tackle Myles Hinton are out for the Wolverines. Alabama, meanwhile, will not have opt-outs for the game.
Alabama and Michigan are both at Raymond James Stadium preparing for an 11 a.m. kickoff of last year’s Rose Bowl rematch. Will the Crimson Tide come out on top in a grudge match? Or will the Wolverines build on their historic win over Ohio State?
Alabama-Michigan is set to kick off at 11 a.m. CT on Tuesday, Dec. 31, from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Alabama-Michigan will air live on ESPN, with streaming options available on the ESPN app or Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
This section will be updated.
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, Dec. 29
This section will be updated.
AccuWeather projects the high temperature to be 78 degrees on Tuesday, with a 66% chance of precipitation, but only 0.07 inches of rain predicted.
Here’s a look at Alabama’s 2024 football schedule, including final scores:
* Denotes SEC game
Here’s a look at Michigan’s 2024 schedule, including final scores:
* Denotes Big Ten game
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