It was yet another absolute classic Rose Bowl on Monday night as No. 1 Michigan battled back in the fourth quarter to ultimately prevail 27-20 over No. 4 Alabama in overtime to conclude a dramatic showdown in Pasadena, California. The Wolverines fought back from a 7-point fourth-quarter deficit to tie the game with 1:34 left to play, scored just two plays into the overtime period and stoned Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe on fourth-and-goal to advance to the CFP National Championship game.
Michigan will now have a chance to win its first national title in 26 years.
Trailing 20-13 late in the fourth quarter, Michigan was led down the field by QB J.J. McCarthy, who ultimately connected with wide receiver Roman Wilson on a 3-yard touchdown pass to knot the contest. The Wolverines got a quick defensive stop on the ensuing possession but ultimately skirted disaster as a muffed punt left them with the ball at the 1-yard line. Michigan got out of the end zone to keel out the clock and conclude regulation.
In overtime, the player who has scored more rushing touchdowns this season than any other player in Michigan history did what he does best. Blake Corum only needed two carries in the overtime period, the second being a 17-yard touchdown -- his 25th of the season -- that gave the Wolverines a 27-20 lead.
Alabama nearly responded when Milroe took off on a QB draw to set up a first-and-goal, but the Tide couldn't finish the drive. After Milroe hit Jermaine Burton on third down just short of the goal line, Bama called another QB draw with Milroe taking a consistently errant snap only to find himself with nowhere to go.
Michigan entered 0-2 in CFP play with semifinal losses to Georgia and TCU over each of the last two seasons. Coach Jim Harbaugh was focused on reversing that trend and did so by handing opposing coach Nick Saban his first semifinal loss since 2014 with Alabama entering the contest having won six straight such games.
Keep on reading for a complete set of takeaways from the 2024 Rose Bowl semifinal.