PASADENA, CALF. — A goal line stand by the Michigan defense on fourth-and-goal capped off a thrilling comeback win and the Wolverines defeated the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide 27-20 in overtime in the College Football Playoff semifinals on Monday night.
Michigan (13-0) will now head to Houston for the National Championship game on Jan. 8. They will face the winner of the other semifinal matchup between the No. 2 Washington Huskies and No. 3 Texas Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl.
Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy finished the game 17 of 27 passing for 221 and three touchdown passes and earned offensive player of the game honors.
In overtime, Blake Corum scored on a 17-yard touchdown run on Michigan's first possession, running through several tacklers and spinning his way into the end zone to give Michigan a 27-20 lead.
Corum's overtime score broke the all-time touchdown record for Michigan running backs. The senior carried the ball 19 times for 83 yards and scored Michigan's first touchdown on an 8-yard reception to tie the game at 7-7 with 4:23 left in the opening quarter.
On Alabama's possession, Jalen Milroe ran a counter play on second down for 16 yards to set up first and goal. Michigan's defense responded by stuffing two straight runs to force a third-and-goal from the 14. Milroe hit Jermaine Burton on a comeback route to the 3.
On fourth-and-goal, Milroe attempted a quarterback draw, but was stuffed by the interior of Michigan's front seven for no gain.
Alabama looked as though they had the game well in hand after Will Reichard banged a 52-yard field goal between the pipes to give the Crimson Tide a 20-13 lead with 4:52 remaining.
But McCarthy and the Wolverines would answer.
Facing a fourth-and-two, McCarthy found Corum in the flat for a 27 yard gain. However, a block in the back penalty would negate some of the play, but the Wolverines still converted for the first down.
After a 16 yard run by McCarthy, Roman Wilson made a leaping grab and ran the ball down the Alabama 5.
On second-and-goal, McCarthy hit Wilson again on a 4-yard dump pass to cap off the 75-yard drive. James Turner kicked the extra point to make it 20-20 with 1:34 remaining.
Milroe and Alabama got the ball back and managed one first down, but were forced to punt and give the ball back to the Wolverines with 44 seconds remaining.
But Michigan muffed the punt and found themselves on their own 1. Instead of having a chance to mount one final drive, Michigan managed to run the clock out and send the game into overtime.
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