Wide receiver Tyler Morris #8 of the Michigan Wolverines dives for the touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines scrambles for yardage against he Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines reacts with quarterback J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines after a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled for a loss of yards by defensive back Rod Moore #9 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Alabama Crimson Tide fans take selfies in front of the stadium prior to the 110th Rose Bowl game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Alabama Crimson Tide in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Bricia Martinez of Michigan takes a selfie prior to the 110th Rose Bowl game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Alabama Crimson Tide in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
A family member holds a picture of Judy and Ronny Swann in front of the stadium as Ronny passed away and Judy was unable to be at the game prior to the 110th Rose Bowl game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Alabama Crimson Tide in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Michigan Wolverines fans Matt and Jenna Bailey of New Mexico and went to Ohio State, but is a Michigan Wolverines fan takes a selfie in front of the stadium prior to the 110th Rose Bowl game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Alabama Crimson Tide in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
A family member holds a picture of Alabama Crimson Tide fans Judy and Ronny Swann in front of the stadium as Ronny passed away and Judy was unable to be at the game prior to the 110th Rose Bowl game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Alabama Crimson Tide in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Semaj Morgan #82 of the Michigan Wolverines muffs a punt by Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game Alabama Crimson Tide recovers the ball in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Semaj Morgan #82 of the Michigan Wolverines catches a pass for yardage over defensive back Terrion Arnold #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles past linebacker Michael Barrett #23 of the Michigan Wolverines for a first down in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive lineman Kris Jenkins #94 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after sacking quarterback Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive back Prince Butler #48 of the Alabama Crimson Tide recovers a fumble by wide receiver Semaj Morgan (not pictured) of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines scrambles for yardage against he Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Tight end Colston Loveland #18 of the Michigan Wolverines is upended against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Tight end Colston Loveland #18 of the Michigan Wolverines catches a pass for first down over defensive back Jaylen Key #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled for a loss of yards by defensive back Rod Moore #9 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Jase McClellan #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs past defensive end Jaylen Harrell #32 of the Michigan Wolverines for a touchdown in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Tyler Morris #8 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with teammate tight end Colston Loveland #18 of the Michigan Wolverines after a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines passes against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Semaj Morgan #82 of the Michigan Wolverines catches a pass for yardage and is thrown to the ground by defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide after a Michigan Wolverines touchdown in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive back Mike Sainristil #0 of the Michigan Wolverines tackles quarterback Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide for a loss of yards in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tripped up by defensive back Rod Moore #9 of the Michigan Wolverines for a first down in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines passes for first down over linebacker Dallas Turner #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Michigan wide receiver Tyler Morris, 8, scores on a 38-yard touchdown in the second quarter as Alabama’s Jaylen Key, 6, defends to give the Wolverines a 13-7 lead during the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. The Michigan Wolverines play the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2024 College Football Semifinal. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Wide receiver Semaj Morgan #82 of the Michigan Wolverines is tackled by linebacker Jihaad Campbell #30 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Tight end Colston Loveland #18 of the Michigan Wolverines is upended against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Michigan Wolverines fan reacts against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Semaj Morgan #82 of the Michigan Wolverines catches a pass for yardage and is thrown to the ground by defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines runs for a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
PASADENA —No. 1 Michigan football relied on a stifling defense throughout the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game, and it has head coach Jim Harbaugh one step closer to a national title after a 27-20 overtime win on Monday night.
Trailing 27-20, No. 4 Alabama (12-2) crept to the 3-yard line in overtime and Jalen Milroe took off on a run up the middle on a quarterback keeper, but the Wolverines (14-0) halted him to secure the win.
Michigan running back Blake Corum bounced off of Alabama defenders as he stomped his way into the end zone for Michigan’s 17-yard overtime touchdown.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy completed 17 of 27 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions and Corum rushed for 83 yards and one touchdown. Servite graduate Mason Graham had a big tackle for a loss on second down on Alabama’s final possession in overtime and was named Defensive Player of the Game.
Alabama running back Jase McClellan collected 87 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and quarterback Jalen Milroe was 16 of 23 for 116 yards.
There was drama from the first play of the game when Michigan’s McCarthy threw what was initially ruled an interception, but Caleb Downs’ pick was reviewed and ruled an incomplete pass. McCarthy threw a second straight incomplete pass and the Wolverines were forced to punt.
The Wolverines defense found itself on the field for two straight possessions after Alabama recovered a fumbled punt. The Tide scored on the ensuing drive on Jase McLellan’s 34-yard touchdown run.
Michigan put together a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive that culminated in a touchdown with 4:23 left in the first quarter. Semaj Morgan ran for 6 yards and a first down to set the Wolverines up at the 8-yard line, and on the next play, McCarthy made a 5-yard pass to his left to Blake Corum, who bolted another 5 yards to tie the game at 7-7.
Jalen Milroe was sacked twice to open the second quarter — first by Michael Barrett and then by Junior Colson. The Wolverines’ defense sacked Milroe six times in the game.
Michigan used a double-pass play that threaded together Corum, McCarthy and Roman Wilson to get a first down and scored two plays later when McCarthy threw a 38-yard touchdown to Tyler Morris.
A bad snap kept Michigan from converting its extra-point attempt, but the Wolverines had a 13-7 advantage.
Alabama struggled to get any form of passing game going as it faced unrelenting pressure from the Michigan defense. Will Reichard got some points on the board for the Tide when he hit a 50-yard field goal with seven seconds until halftime.
Neither team reached the end zone in scoreless third quarter and Alabama’s offensive woes continued. A bad snap caused a loss of 7 yards on the Tide’s first possession of the frame, then Milroe fumbled and recovered the ball for another loss of 6 yards.
The fourth quarter got off to a much better start for Alabama with a 3-yard touchdown run by McLellan and a 17-13 advantage just 30 seconds into the quarter.
Michigan forced Alabama to fumble and reached the 39-yard line on its ensuing possession, but missed a 49-yard field goal. Reichard kicked a 52-yard field goal with less than five minutes left in the game to extend Alabama’s lead to 20-13.
The game was tied again with 1:34 remaining on the clock. McCarthy sent a 29-yard pass to Roman Wilson to get Michigan to the 5-yard line. Blake Corum gained one yard on the ground to use up a few seconds, then McCarthy and Wilson connected again for a four-yard touchdown.
Michigan will play the winner of the Sugar Bowl game between Washington and Texas in the National Championship Game.