Michigan Shuts Down Milroe, Crimson Tide in ReliaQuest Bowl

Photo by Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

TAMPA, Fla.—The Michigan Wolverines (8-5) defeated the No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide (9-4) in the ReliaQuest Bowl, 19-13, on Dec. 31.

These two teams played on the first day of 2024 in the Rose Bowl and now, they end 2024 playing each other in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The game came down to the final two minutes as the Tide approached the red zone. The best player on the field on this day was Michigan's kicker Dominic Zvada who hit four crucial kicks in the game.

Game Summary

The Crimson Tide got the ball first and the Michigan defense showed up. After just one first down, the Tide turned the ball over on downs, ending the drive with star quarterback Jalen Milroe getting sacked. The Wolverines took the great field position and got a field goal after a backward pass-gone wrong.

More things went wrong for the Tide as Milroe fumbled the handoff to running back Jam Miller and the Wolverines jumped on it in Alabama territory. The Wolverines rushed it three times, but never managed to punch it into the end zone. Zvada hit his second kick of the day, making it 6-0.

Things began to compact as Milroe threw an interception and the Wolverines got the ball at the Crimson Tide 16-yard line. Quarterback Davis Warren found receiver Frederick Moore for a 13-yard touchdown pass. After that, the first play on the Alabama drive resulted in yet another Tide turnover. Milroe was hit again and the ball was recovered by the Wolverines. A Zvada chip shot made it 16-0 in the first quarter. The Tide ended the first quarter with -2 yards total.

The Tide's Turning Point

At the end of the first half, Milroe led the Crimson Tide on two quick scoring drives that allowed them to get back in the game. Milroe found tight end Robbie Ouzts for 25-yard touchdown catch, ending Alabama's scoring drought. On the second drive, Milroe rushed for 41 yards and then found receiver Germie Bernard to get the Tide to the 6-yard line. They were forced to kick a field goal. The kick was good, making it 16-10 at half in favor of the Wolverines.

Photo by Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

In the fourth quarter, the Wolverines had a turning point of their own. Zvada made yet another field goal to put Michigan up 19-10. However, the Tide scored a quick field goal of their own with just under five minutes remaining. The Wolverines forced yet another turnover-on-downs to win the game.

What It Means

For Michigan, they head into the offseason with heads held high. They beat Alabama to start and close the year. Head coach Sherrone Moore will use this heading into this recruiting season. The Wolverines need to fill several holes on both sides of the ball. However, they have beaten two top blue bloods who have seen regular College Football Playoff success.

For Alabama, this will bring about many questions, not only on the players, but from the players. This is the first season that the Crimson Tide have won less then 10 wins since 2007. That was the first season that Nick Saban was the head coach. The question now becomes if coach Kalen DeBoer has the same success that coach Saban did, post-2007.