The Tide Turns in Norman: Alabama Erases 17-Point Deficit to Advance

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NORMAN, OK — In a game that mirrored the chaotic, high-stakes nature of the new 12-team era, #9 Alabama proved why they are never truly out of a fight. Falling into a deep 17-0 hole early in the second quarter, the Crimson Tide responded with a staggering 27 unanswered points to stun #8 Oklahoma 34-24 on Friday night.

The victory at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium not only avenges Alabama’s regular-season loss to the Sooners but also punches their ticket to the Rose Bowl for a Quarterfinal matchup against #1 Indiana on New Year’s Day.

The Great Collapse

For the first 20 minutes, the “Palace on the Prairie” was a nightmare for the visitors. Oklahoma’s defense stifled Alabama, holding them to just 12 yards of offense in the first quarter.

The Surge: Lou Groza winner Tate Sandell drilled a 51-yard field goal into a stiff wind, followed by a John Mateer touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna to put the Sooners up 17-0.
The Turning Point: The momentum shifted on a disastrous special teams blunder by Oklahoma. Punter Grayson Miller dropped a snap, leading to a blocked punt by Tim Keenan III. Alabama capitalized with a field goal, finally breaking the seal.

Zabien Brown’s Game-Changer

While the offense found its rhythm, it was the defense that leveled the playing field. Late in the second quarter, Alabama cornerback Zabien Brown jumped a John Mateer pass and raced 50 yards for a pick-six. The play silenced the record crowd of 83,550 and sent the game into halftime tied at 17-17.

Lotzeir Brooks: The Postseason Breakout

Freshman wideout Lotzeir Brooks, who did not record a single touchdown during the regular season, chose the biggest stage to have his breakout party.

The First: Brooks caught a 10-yard touchdown on 4th-and-2 to start the rally.
The Dagger: Early in the third quarter, he hauled in a 30-yard bomb from Ty Simpson to give Alabama its first lead of the night.
Brooks finished with five catches for 79 yards and two scores, becoming the unlikely hero of the Tide’s postseason opener.

By the Numbers

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Alabama	0	17	10	7	34
Oklahoma	10	7	0	7	24

Ty Simpson finished the night 18-of-29 for 232 yards and two touchdowns, showing remarkable poise after a three-and-out start on the Tide’s first three possessions. On the other side, Oklahoma’s Tate Sandell saw his streak of 24 consecutive field goals end with a missed 36-yarder late in the fourth quarter that would have made it a one-score game.

The Road to a Natty Continues

Kalen DeBoer secures his first playoff win as the head man in Tuscaloosa, silencing critics who questioned Alabama’s inclusion as a three-loss team. They now prepare for a titanic clash in Pasadena against the undefeated Hoosiers and a chance to see if they are still championship material.