Alabama struggles in ReliaQuest Bowl, falling to Michigan 19-13

Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore (8) recovers a fumble by Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) during the first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe was sacked five times and suffered three turnovers as the No. 11 Crimson Tide fell to unranked Michigan 19-13 in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida.

Alabama’s season ended with a loss to Michigan for the second year in a row. The Wolverines and the Crimson Tide met in a College Football Playoff semifinal at last season’s Rose Bowl, with Michigan winning on the way to capturing the national championship.

The loss ended Alabama’s string of 16 consecutive seasons with double-digit wins. The Crimson Tide finishes the season with a 9-4 record in head coach Kalen DeBoer’s first season.

Milroe shrugged off a disastrous first quarter that was played almost exclusively in Alabama territory during heavy rain that sent many in the crowd at Raymond James Stadium scurrying for cover.

The Crimson Tide had a chance to win it in the closing minutes but turned the ball over on downs after driving to the Michigan 15.

Milroe lost two fumbles and threw an interception on three of Alabama’s first four drives. The fourth possession ended badly, too, with Milroe being sacked for an 11-yard loss at the Crimson Tide 44 on fourth-and-4.

Michigan, however, was able to turn the blunders into only 16 points — a touchdown pass and field goals of 45, 30 and 21 yards for a 16-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

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’s defense made the narrow halftime lead stand until a 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.

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

The Crimson Tide opens its second season under DeBoer on the road Aug. 30 at Florida State. One question mark heading into the offseason is who will take the first snap at quarterback. Milroe hasn’t declared if he’ll enter the NFL draft or return to school.

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