Michigan football closed out the year the same way it rung it in: a fourth down stop by its defense to beat Alabama.
Deja vu? Open for discussion.
Behind run heavy day from its offense and three caused turnovers by its defense, Michigan (8-5) knocked off No. 11 Alabama (9-4) in the ReliaQuest Bowl 19-13 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday.
REQUIRED READING: Michigan defense suffocates Alabama for 19-13 upset in 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl
The Wolverines led from the jump Tuesday against the Crimson Tide, thanks to three first quarter field goals from kicker Dominic Zvada and a 13 yard touchdown pass from Davis Warren to Fredrick Moore.
On a day where its two top running backs, Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings, opted out of the game as they declared for the NFL draft, freshman running back Jordan Marshall ran for a career-high 100 yards on 23 carries.
Wink Martindale’s defense created havoc all against Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, who finished with three combined turnovers on the afternoon (one interception and two fumbles) despite throwing for nearly 200 yards and a touchdown.
As previously reported by the Detroit Free Press, the Wolverines became the first program in history to defeat the Crimson Tide twice in a calendar year. The other win against Alabama, of course, came in the 2024 Rose Bowl that sent Michigan to the CFP national championship game.
The Wolverines end an up-and-down Year 1 of the Sherrone Moore era in Ann Arbor on a high note with back-to-back ranked wins against Ohio State and Alabama.
College football reacts to Michigan beating Alabama in ReliaQuest Bowl
Here’s a snippet of reactions on social media following the Wolverines upset over the Crimson Tide in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Tuesday:
Michigan’s down year:
– Beat MSU
– Beat Ohio State
– Beat Alabama
– Sign the #1 HS QB
– Top 10 recruiting classNot bad for a down year following a natty. pic.twitter.com/yGm1l6wrzl
— Frontrunner Corner (@WolverineCorner) December 31, 2024
Like I said at Michigan we don’t care about low class Bowl Games. BUT how many times do we have to see Michigan beat the piss out of the Alabama’s and Ohio States of the world before we just accept Michigan is the bully of the college football world. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/SjIuY6fgfK
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) December 31, 2024
This Michigan team, with almost no passing game, ended its season beating Ohio State and Alabama.
Incredible.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 31, 2024
That was a very funny football game and it’s about 10 times funnier that Michigan won it barely trying to do anything on offense for three quarters
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 31, 2024
Indiana beat Michigan, unlike Alabama, and Indiana played Ohio State closer than Tennessee did.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 31, 2024
Michigan may have just had its best eight-win season ever, capping it off with wins over Ohio State and Alabama.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) December 31, 2024
Michigan beat Alabama and Ohio State with forward passing turned off.
National champs loading
— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) December 31, 2024
Vegas thought Alabama would beat Michigan by a lot. But that’s why you play the games.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) December 31, 2024
Michigan is going to finish a pretty bad season by beating Ohio State and Alabama in succession, and without throwing for 100 yards in either game. Wild.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) December 31, 2024
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Social media reacts to Michigan’s win over Alabama in ReliaQuest Bowl
