U-M Posts Big First Quarter, Holds on Late to Defeat No. 11 ...

Site: Tampa, Fla. (Raymond James Stadium)Event: ReliaQuest BowlScore: Michigan 19, #11 Alabama 13Records: U-M (8-5), Alabama (9-4)Attendance: 51,439Next U-M Event: Season Completed

TAMPA, Fla. -- The University of Michigan football team wrapped up its 2024 season with a 19-13 victory over No. 11-ranked Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Tuesday (Dec. 31) at Raymond James Stadium. The Wolverines put together a valiant defensive performance to hold on in dramatic fashion for a second straight season in a bowl game against the Crimson Tide.

Down six with 2:18 remaining, Alabama marched downfield, working into the red zone for only the third time in the contest. U-M held pat, pressuring Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe and forcing a turnover on downs to secure the season-closing victory.

Michigan forced a season-high three turnovers in the first quarter, an opening frame in which the Wolverines held Alabama to -2 total yards and opened to a 16-0 lead. Despite being outscored over the remainder of the contest, the Maize and Blue defense helped it hold on, shutting out the Crimson Tide in the second half and allowing only 97 total yards.

Jordan Marshall led the team offensively in the contest, rushing the ball 23 times for a career-high 100 yards, while Fredrick Moore posted three catches (two first downs, one touchdown) totaling 37 yards. Key to the victory was Michigan's control of the clock, possessing the ball 16 minutes more than Alabama.

The Wolverines opened quickly, forcing two fumbles, one interception and a turnover on downs within the game's first 13 minutes. These led to short-field opportunities and an early 16-0 U-M lead.

Derrick Moore's fourth-down sack on Alabama's first drive forced a turnover on downs and a 45-yard Dominic Zvada field goal to open the game. On the first play following the kickoff, Moore came up with a recovery on a fumbled Alabama snap. This set up the Wolverines at the Crimson Tide's 19-yard line, before marking off three straight rushes in the game's early pouring rain and a 30-yard Zvada field goal.

With Alabama back in possession offensively, Wesley Walker intercepted his first pass as a Wolverine along the Crimson Tide sideline and returned it to the 16-yard line to set up the U-M offense with another red-zone opportunity. This time, the Wolverines capitalized with six points as Warren connected with Moore for a 13-yard touchdown and Zvada added the extra point to increase the U-M lead to 13-0.

The early defensive onslaught continued as Aamir Hall forced a sack-fumble on the next Alabama possession, recovered by Cameron Brandt and returned five yards to the Crimson Tide 11-yard line. Zvada converted on his third field goal of the first quarter (21 yards) to move the Wolverines ahead 16-0 with 2:04 remaining in the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Michigan possess the ball for 9:34, but the defense allowed two scores including a 25-yard passing touchdown and a 24-yard field goal stemming from a 90-yard drive within the final minute of the first half to close the U-M lead to 16-10.

Following a back-and-forth scoreless third quarter, the Wolverines forced a turnover on downs on a Brandyn Hillman pass breakup in the fourth. U-M marched nine plays for 47 yards, leading to Zvada's fourth field goal (37 yards) to take a nine-point lead, 19-10, with 7:21 remaining in the contest.

Alabama narrowed its deficit to six points with a field goal with 4:38 remaining in the game. The Crimson Tide came up short on their final drive, as the Wolverines managed a stop in the red zone on fourth down to secure the 19-13 victory.

Michigan closed the season with three straight victories, including two against ranked opponents (Ohio State, Alabama) to finish the 2024 campaign with an 8-5 record.