šŸ“” Michigan LB: Alabamaā€™s final TD was ā€˜slap in the faceā€™ - AL.com

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bama News
  • Start date Start date
B

Bama News


With the clock ticking down under 30 seconds and Alabama comfortably up two scores, a decision faced the play callers.

Take a knee or run another play with the Citrus Bowl win over Michigan already in hand. The Crimson Tide huddle looked to the sideline and the play was called. Najee Harris did the rest -- pounding it two yards up the gut for a touchdown with 26 seconds left.

Final score: Alabama 35, Michigan 16.

Playing with something to prove, the Tide used all 60 minutes on Wednesday afternoon in Orlando. That didnā€™t necessarily sit well on the Michigan side of Camping World Stadium.

ā€œIt was kind of a smack in the face,ā€ middle linebacker Cameron McGrone told reporters after the game. ā€œBut it is what it is. Itā€™s football, weā€™ve got to be ready all times, and we werenā€™t ready that play.ā€

The ESPN booth, which included former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, expressed some degree of surprise that Nick Saban opted for the play over taking a knee.

There didnā€™t seem to be any hesitation on the Alabama sideline. Tight end Miller Forristall didnā€™t remember any talk of a kneel down.

ā€œNo, pretty sure we just signaled it in,ā€ Forristall said. ā€œAnd we were like, ā€˜All right, letā€™s go.ā€™ We were ready to put it in the end zone.ā€

Receiver DeVonta Smith felt the same way.

ā€œNo, we were just trying to milk the clock and run some time off,ā€ he said.

Alabama finished the season 11-2 with the win over the 9-4 Wolverines of the Big Ten.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top Bottom