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The No.1 Alabama is back in the National College Football Playoff Championship for the fifth time in six seasons after completely outscoring No.4 Notre-Dame 31-14 in the 2021 Rose Bowl semi-final on Friday. The Crimson Tide led by no less than 24 points in the fourth quarter before the Fighting Irish scored in the last minute of the game.
All season, the Tide fielded one of the best offenses in the country with quarterback Mac Jones and wide receiver DeVonta Smith ending the year as Heisman Trophy finalists and three other players (running back Najee Harris, tackle Alex Leatherwood and injured center Landon Dickerson) earn AP All-America first-team honors. This unit lived up to the hype even against one of the best defenses in the country, totaling 437 yards at 7.9 yards per game.
Jones was effective in guiding the group completing 25 of 30 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns, while Smith showed why the betting markets picked him as the favorite to win the Heisman with his 130 yards and three touchdowns on seven receptions. Smith, named the Rose Bowl’s offensive MVP, is a craftsman as a road runner and has consistently won individual battles against Notre Dame defenders. Even when the game didn’t require anything special on the court, Smith does impact with yards after the catch, like that 26-yard touchdown on a screen pass.
Smith’s entire touchdown reel could keep us entertained for hours, but the game we’ll be talking about for years is Najee Harris’s hurdle on a 53-yard rush in the first quarter. Harris finished the game with 125 yards on 15 carries.
The play is amazing from the rise the 230 pound achieves to the way it maintains the stride as its feet return to the turf. But what’s even better is how the obstacle responds to a request from football star Megan Rapinoe. Harris discussed her admiration for Rapinoe at a matchweek press conference and she responded with appreciation and a request for an obstacle. Less than 15 minutes after the game, Harris crossed the hurdle.
Notre Dame seemed to have a great response to a 14-0 first hole with a 15-game, 75-yard touchdown that took 8:03 off the clock and ended with a score on fourth. The Irish were methodical and efficient, but all seemed in vain when Alabama took the ball 84 yards the other way for a touchdown on a practice that lasted less than three minutes. In fact, the first three practices in Alabama all ended with touchdowns and combined took less time than Notre Dame’s single touchdown until the end of the fourth quarter.
The Irish also threatened to score once again in the final game of the game after recovering a kick in play, but Tide held back a pass from QB Ian Book in the end zone. Book completed 27 of 39 passes for 229 yards with an interception, but also compiled 55 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
While the post-game stats didn’t monstrously favor Alabama, who led Notre Dame just 437-375 overall, the Tide was in firm control throughout the game and was never in danger of defeat.
They will play for the CFP National Championship for the fifth time in the event’s seven-year history, while the Irish have fallen to 0-7 in BCS or New Year’s Six bowl games since 1998 and have been outscored on average 23 points. in these games.
Alabama will look to win their third national title in six seasons and the sixth since 2009 under coach Nick Saban.
CBS Sports has been with you throughout updating this story with the latest from the Rose Bowl. Keep it locked here for takeout from the Alabama vs. Notre Dame game.
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