For the second straight year, Alabama faltered on fourth down in the red zone, this time sealing a 19-13 defeat to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Tuesday. Trailing by six, Alabama reached Michigan’s 15-yard line with just over a minute remaining, but four consecutive incompletions from quarterback Jalen Milroe dashed their hopes of a comeback.
The Wolverines extended their lead to two scores earlier in the fourth quarter with a 37-yard field goal, making it 19-10. Alabama quickly responded with Graham Nicholson’s career-long 51-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 19-13, but it was as close as they would get.
Alabama’s struggles began early, as turnovers plagued the Crimson Tide in the first quarter. Milroe was responsible for three turnovers—two fumbles and an interception—on three of Alabama’s first four drives. Michigan capitalized on the short fields to build a 16-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The Tide’s defense kept the game within reach, limiting Michigan to field goals on three of those possessions and holding the Wolverines to just 190 total yards, the fewest in ReliaQuest Bowl history. Linebacker Jihaad Campbell led the way with 11 tackles despite missing the fourth quarter due to injury.
Offensively, Alabama found a rhythm in the second quarter. Freshman wide receiver Rico Scott sparked a drive with a 28-yard run, and Milroe connected with Robbie Ouzts for a touchdown to cut the lead to 16-7. A late second-quarter field goal made it 16-10 at halftime, but Alabama’s offense faltered in the second half.
The loss ends Alabama’s season with a 9-4 record under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, marking the end of a 16-year streak of 10-win seasons.
