Alabama football is headed back to the National Championship after defeating Notre Dame 31-14 in the Rose Bowl.
The Crimson Tide’s defense limited Notre Dame’s offense to two touchdowns. This is the fifth time Alabama’s defense has held an opponent to 14 points or less this season.
Steve Sarkisian and Alabama’s offense look like their normal self throughout the game. The Tide’s offense finished the night with 437 total yards. Mac Jones led the way with four passing touchdowns and 297 passing yards on 25 completions.
DeVonta Smith may have locked up the Heisman with his three-touchdown performance. The Louisiana native also had 130 receiving yards against the fighting Irish. Najee Harris led all Alabama rushers with 125 rushing yards on 15 attempts.
DeMarcco Hellams led Alabama on defense with nine tackles and a sack. Hellams was followed by Will Anderson and Christian Barmore. Barmore had a sack of his own and Christian Harris pulled down the Tide’s only interception.
Smith and Jones got Alabama on the board first with a 26-yard hookup. After forcing a Notre Dame punt, a 19-yard pass from Jones to Jahleel Billingsley put Alabama up 14-0 with 4:19 left in the first quarter. The Fighting Irish were able to answer Alabama’s scores with a rushing touchdown from Kyren Williams on 4th & goal to cut the Tide’s lead to seven.
It did not take long for the Tide to stretch their lead back to 14. Smith capped off a drive that lasted two minutes and 26 seconds with a 34-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. The Irish attempted to get on the board late in the second quarter but were unable to do so after missing a 51-yard field goal attempt.
Notre Dame looked as if they had found some life when they forced an Alabama punt to start the second half. Unfortunately, Ian Book threw an interception to Harris on the following drive. This opened the door for Smith to score his third touchdown of the night to put Alabama up 28-7.
Will Reichard extended Alabama’s lead to 24 with a 41-yard field goal to remain perfect on the season in the fourth quarter. After an Irish failed fourth-down attempt, Alabama and Notre Dame traded punts. Ian Book ran in a one-yard touchdown to make the score late in the game to make the score 31-14.
Alabama will play the winner of the Sugar Bowl in the National Championship on Jan. 11 in Miami, Florida.
