College Football

The Best Reactions From Michigan’s Stunning Upset Win Over Alabama In The ReliaQuest Bowl

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Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on Get to know Jeff Hawkins better

Sports Editor

Published31 Dec 2024

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Meeting for the second time in a major college football bowl game during the 2024 calendar year, Michigan and Alabama met again Tuesday, but on an undercard. 

Last Jan. 1, the two programs met in the Rose Bowl, which also served as a College Football Playoff semifinal matchup. The Wolverines clinched that victory over the Crimson Tide on a fourth-down stop. 

On a smaller stage Tuesday, a nearly identical situation developed during the ReliaQuest Bowl and Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe failed to deliver after the offense struggled early in the 19-13 loss to the Wolverines on Tuesday. At one point in the second quarter, Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada compiled 10 points, while Alabama generated minus-11 yards of offense. 

The Crimson Tide finished the season 9-4 with three losses coming to teams with a combined 21-18 record. The Wolverines, who won their final three games, ended 8-6. 

X (Twitter) fans react to the Crimson Tide playing like they were overmatched by Michigan’s mostly second-unit defense and still believing they should have been among the CFP’s 12-team playoff … 

 The defending national champions, Michigan finished with a confetti shower – again – but on a smaller scale … 

Zvada opened the scoring … 

Following a 30-yarder, Zvada, who will return in 2025, connected on two early field goals. The series started on Alabama’s 19-yard line. Michigan decided against going for a fourth-and-three play and settled for three points …

Alabama’s troubles continued. While the players struggled to keep their second-quarter footing on the soggy Raymond James Stadium field, the Wolverines scored their lone first-half touchdown … 

 Bad start for ‘Bama … 

Midway through the second quarter, the Crimson Tide compiled more turnovers (3) than total yards (2). They finally converted on their seventh series, scoring on Milroe’s 25-yard TD to Robbie Ouzts with 4:06 left in the first half … 

Despite playing one of the worst quarters and a half in program history, the Crimson Tide converted a late field goal to pull to within 16-10. ‘Bama, which faced a third-and-one play deep inside its territory and appeared complacent to run out the clock, benefitted from Michigan calling a timeout with 37 seconds remaining and two big plays … 

After the teams swapped fourth-quarter field goals, Alabama’s defense forced a three-and-out with 2:18 to go. On the possible final drive of Milroe’s college career, the potential NFL first-round draft pick failed to deliver on fourth down – again …  

 One college football fan enjoyed his – and Michigan’s – moment, the game-clinching, fourth-down stop … 

 Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer may endure a long offseason … 

 Michigan coach Sharrone Moore, on the other hand, could embrace the time before freshman QB Bryce Underwood takes the field for spring practice … 

Final score: Michigan 19, Alabama 13 … 

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Jeff Hawkins
Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on Get to know Jeff Hawkins better

Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on All posts by Jeff Hawkins