Blake Corum’s 17-yard run in overtime powered No. 1 Michigan past No. 4 Alabama 27-20 and sent the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night.
Corum broke several tackles on the game-winning run in overtime, which represented the second-ever CFP game that needed more time after regulation.
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Neither team mustered much offense to start the second half. They combined for 99 total yards on the third quarter, with Alabama responsible for 72 of them.
The Crimson Tide (12-2, 8-0 Southeastern Conference) took a 17-13 lead to give Michigan its first second-half deficit of the season. Jase McClellan ran in his second score of the game from 3 yards out 30 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Michigan (14-0, 9-0 Big Ten Conference) was forced to a three and out, and punter Tommy Doman booted the ball 41 yards away back to Alabama.
With the Crimson Tide moving down the field, Jalen Milroe looked to use his legs. Two plays later, disaster ensued.
Milroe lost possession of the football and fumbled near the far sideline, and Michigan’s Quentin Johnson recovered the ball.
J.J. McCarthy and the Wolverines lined up on 2nd and 10 the next drive. McCarthy handed the football to Corum, who tried to toss it back to McCarthy for a flea flicker.
The ball fell in front of McCarthy who landed on it, and the Wolverines offense stalled. Kicker Jaylen Harrell missed a 49-yard field goal, and the Crimson Tide held onto their 17-13 lead with 10:30 left to play.
Alabama kicker Will Reichard drilled a 52-yard field goal to give the Crimson Tide some insurance. They led 20-13 with 4:41 remaining.
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Roman Wilson played a critical role in Michigan’s next drive. He was called for an illegal block after the Wolverines already converted, and it resulted in the ball spotted at the 50-yard line.
Wilson redeemed himself and caught a tipped pass for 29 yards two plays later. He caught the game-tying touchdown from 4 yards away to knot the game at 20 points apiece with 1:34 left to play.
Alabama mustered 18 yards on the next drive, then lined up to punt. James Burnip punted the ball 51 yards downfield, and Michigan returner Jake Thaw muffed the ball near the goal line.
Thaw recovered the ball at the 1-yard line, and Michigan chose to send the game to overtime with two runs up the middle.
The Crimson Tide won the toss in overtime but elected to defer.
Corum took the first handoff of overtime and ran eight yards, then found the end zone on his game-sealing touchdown run.
Corum had 83 rushing yards and averaged 4.4 yards per carry. He also brought in his first receiving touchdown of the season and had 35 receiving yards.
McCarthy finished 17-of-27 for 221 yards and three touchdowns.
Michigan punt returner Semaj Morgan muffed his return less than four minutes into the first quarter and Alabama took over possession at the Wolverines 44-yard line recovered by Quandarrius Robinson.
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The Crimson Tide capitalized on their extra possession and McClellan broke off a 34-yard touchdown run. Alabama led 7-0 after the first six minutes.
Corum and the Wolverines answered back in their next drive. He caught an 8-yard touchdown following conversions on 2nd and 8 and 4th and 1 during the series.
In a gritty second quarter, both teams rushed averaged 2.3 yards per carry or worse. The Wolverines, however, averaged 7.2 yards per play to Alabama’s 3.9.
Michigan took a 13-7 lead after Tyler Morris brought in a 38-yard touchdown that he used yards after the catch to punch in. The point after attempt failed, and it capped an eight-play, 83-yard drive that lasted 4:37.
Michigan outgained Alabama 351 yards to 288.
Milro went 16-of-23 for 116 passing yards.
McClellan totaled 87 rush yards and two touchdowns.
