Michigan defense pressures Milroe all day, Wolverines beat No. 11 Alabama 19-13 in ReliaQuest Bowl

Tampa, Florida-Tampa, Florida (AP) Michigan concluded its first season under Sherrone Moore with a victory, setting the tone for a promising future, just one year after capturing the national championship.

Following Jim Harbaugh’s departure for the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers last winter, Moore took over as head coach of the Wolverines. He described Tuesday’s ReliaQuest Bowl victory over Alabama, which ended 19–13, as a collective effort that portends well for the Wolverines going forward.

“We’ve got a great culture and great kids,” Moore stated. “No two persons ever win a game together. It will always be a team sport.

TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 31: At Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on December 31, 2024, Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore celebrates with the trophy following the team’s 19–13 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl.

Jalen Milroe was sacked five times by Michigan’s defense, which also forced three turnovers from the Alabama quarterback. Jordan Marshall, the ReliaQuest Bowl MVP, helped the Wolverines control time of possession by rushing for 100 yards on 23 carries.

With back-to-back upsets over rival Ohio State and Alabama, Michigan (8-5) ended the season on a three-game winning streak, led by four field goals from Dominic Zvada and a touchdown pass to Fredrick Moore in the first half from Davis Warren.

“We were 5-5 and then we won some games, but it s not the standard,” Marshall stated. “We re going to be better than this next year.”

For the second consecutive year, Alabama lost at Michigan to conclude their season. At last season’s Rose Bowl, the Wolverines and the Crimson Tide (9-4, No. 11 CFP) faced off in a College Football Playoff semifinal. Michigan prevailed en route to winning the national championship.

Alabama’s run of 16 straight seasons with double-digit victories came to an end Tuesday. Nick Saban, the seven-time national champion coach who retired after the previous season, left the streak to Kalen DeBoer.

“It’s terrible every time you have something like this in the locker room. Reflecting on his first season with the Crimson Tide, DeBoer stated, “I think there are a lot of things that you take from it.”

“So to me, it s a success if we move forward and we take advantage of the lessons (learned this season), even though we don t want to learn those lessons sometimes, because they re hard,” DeBoer stated. “We re going to learn from those lessons, move forward and be better next year because of it.”

Milroe dismissed a terrible first quarter that was played nearly entirely in Alabama territory while there was a lot of rain, which caused many fans at Raymond James Stadium to run for cover. After driving to the Michigan 15, the Crimson Tide had a chance to win it in the final seconds but gave up the ball on downs.

On three of Alabama’s first four drives, Milroe threw an interception and lost two fumbles. Milroe was fired for an 11-yard loss at the Crimson Tide 44 on fourth-and-4, and the fourth possession again ended miserably.

However, Michigan managed to convert the errors into just 16 points, leading 16-0 with to field goals of 45, 30, and 21 yards and Warren’s touchdown pass to Moore.

Milroe cut into Alabama s deficit with a 25-yard TD pass to Robbie Ouzts, then ran for 41 yards and threw to Germie Bernard for 40 on back-to-back plays to set up Graham Nicholson s 24-yard field goal just before halftime.

Michigan defense made the narrow halftime lead stand until Zvada s 37-yard field goal put the Wolverines up 19-10 midway through the fourth quarter. Alabama countered with Nicholson s 51-yarder to make it a one score game again with 4:38 to go.

Milroe finished 16 of 32 passing for 192 yards, one TD and an interception.

Warren was 9 of 12 for 73 yards without an interception before limping off the field after being sacked early in the third quarter. Alex Orji finished up at quarterback for the Wolverines.

Takeaways

Michigan pressured Milroe all day long, and the Crimson Tide never fully recovered from the quarterback s early mistakes.

Up next

Michigan: Opens next season on Aug. 30 at home vs. New Mexico following a highly anticipated competition for the starting quarterback job. The nation sNo. 1 high school recruit, Bryce Underwood, practiced with the Wolverines for the ReliaQuest Bowl and was on the sideline Tuesday as an early enrollee. The competition also will include Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene.

Alabama: The Crimson Tide opens their second season under DeBoer on the road on Aug. 30 at Florida State. One question heading into the offseason is who will take the first snap at quarterback. Milroe hasn t said if he ll enter the NFL draft or return to school.

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