Alabama Football Wins National Championship, Beating Texas, 37-21

January 8, 2010

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The No. 1 ranked Alabama football team beat No. 2 Texas in the BCS National Championship game, played in the Rose Bowl Thursday, 37-21, winning the 13th national title in school history and first since 1992. With the win, head coach Nick Saban becomes the fifth coach to bring a national championship to the Capstone.

“Our message to the team at halftime was that it’s a 60-minute game,” Saban said. “I’m proud of the way we hung in there and bounced back at the end of the game.”

The Crimson Tide defense ended any hopes of a Longhorns comeback when Eryk Anders forced a fumble out of the hands of Texas quarterback Garret Gilbert with 3:08 remaining in the game.

Alabama would force two more turnovers and score two touchdowns to seal the 2009 national championship.

After Texas jumped out to a 6-0 lead on a pair of field goals in the first quarter, the Crimson Tide took the lead when sophomore Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram scored on a two-yard rush, putting Alabama up 7-6 with 14:18 remaining in the second quarter.

trent2.jpgFreshman Trent Richardson (pictured), a graduate of Escambia High School in Pensacola, joined in on the ground attack when he busted a 49-yard touchdown run at the 7:59 mark in the second quarter. The long touchdown run stretched Alabama’s lead to 14-7.

Senior Leigh Tiffin would extend the Tide’s lead further connecting on a 26-yard attempt. Two plays later Marcell Dareus intercepted Gilbert’s shovel pass and returned it 28 yards for an Alabama touchdown. The 10-point swing gave the Crimson Tide a 24-6 lead heading into the half.

With Texas’ offense scoring 11 unanswered points in the second half and pulling within 24-21, Anders swung into action, forcing a fumble at the three-yard line with Courntey Upshaw recovering for the Tide.

ingram.jpgIngram (pictured) capitlized on the turnover, scoring on a one-yard touchdown run three plays later, putting Alabama up 31-21.

Senior Javier Arenas came up with his second interception of the night with 1:55 remaining in the game. Richardson turned the turnover into points once again, scoring a touchdown on a two-yard run. Tiffin missed the extra point attempt, making the score 37-21.

With the win Alabama head coach Nick Saban becomes the first head coach in major college football history to win a national championship at two different schools, also winning the BCS national championship in 2003 at LSU.

Saban also becomes the second head coach to win two BCS national championships, joining Urban Meyer of Florida.

The victory in Pasadena comes 84 years after Alabama won its first national championship in the 1926 Rose Bowl game and makes this the fifth Alabama team to end their national championship campaign at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Alabama officials are tentatively planning a national championship celebration for Saturday, Jan. 16. More details will be available on RollTide.com in the coming days.

Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

34 Responses to “Alabama Football Wins National Championship, Beating Texas, 37-21”

  1. William on January 9th, 2010 6:49 pm
  2. AL on January 9th, 2010 6:39 pm

    My favorite part was McCoy’s post game interview. Google. it…. that is a classy young man.

  3. Chad on January 9th, 2010 9:33 am

    We’re BACKKKKKKKKKKKKKK – all you Bama haters, get use to it. Saben’s relentless recruiting and attention to detail with everyhing he touches will produce a few more before he is done. Saben’s philosphy on getting the whole program to buy into the process is why we have glory days ahead.

    ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Chad

  4. SW on January 9th, 2010 5:45 am

    That’s why they play the games, isn’t it?

    IF the pitcher hadn’t thrown that ball the batter hit out of the park for the winning run…or that batter hadn’t struck out…or…

    IF my favorite NASCAR driver hadn’t blown that engine…or hadn’t gotten wrecked…

    IF that basketball player hadn’t missed that one shot…or if that foul hadn’t occurred…

    We will never know ‘what if’; all we know is ‘what is.’

    Your team wins; your team loses. That’s sports. Enjoy it for what it is. In the bigger picture, it really affects your life how?

    The comment by ‘Hero’ keeps it in perspective doesn’t it?

  5. cag on January 9th, 2010 1:44 am

    ok 1st off, colt doesnt play defence , so that means he couldnt stop our offence. and ok he got hurt, but he was 2 yards away from the inzone and couldnt get it in there. he had two chances right off the start to get some points and both times just field goals, so i dont want to here it was a “what if” bowl… and that top rush defence let two people make over 100 yards each and 2 touchdowns.

  6. jennifer williams on January 8th, 2010 9:16 pm

    Stop crying over McCoy. He was not so hurt that he could not raise his arm when they scored. A captain goes down with the ship, not the NFL checkbook. He could not fix himself to tell the lie about how injured he was. He was on the side line laughing with Vince Young until the camera came on him. He probably was saying, “I am not going back out there, they hittin out there.” His father went in the locker room and said do not mess up your career, remember Alabama player Prothro who got hurt in the last play and ruined his career. I have seen players with pads on everywhere when they really wanted to help their team win. Shefield was excellent, made me say, McCoy who. If McCoy was in, they still would have lost. If a frog had wings it would not bump its butt every time it jumps. McCoy did not even go out and try to take another snap in the game. Quitter in my eyes. Ingram was injured but when his team needed him he was there, injury and all. I am from Tuscaloosa. ROLL TIDE. ROLL SEC. ROLL Heisman winner Ingram, ROLL offensive MVP Ingram. HOW SWEET IT IS!!!!!!!
    Alabama and I wii see you next year at the championship game when you will have more what ifs and another quitter like McCoy excuse. McCoy gave them an excuse to say why the lost. QUITTER! Way to go Shefield!!!! Heshook the fear off and played like a captain. THANK YOU to all the SOLDIERS protecting our freedom. My brother and I are retired soldiers. We have 13 service members in our family. GO USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  7. Buddy on January 8th, 2010 6:24 pm

    If Colt McCoy had played it would have been a different winner

  8. rolling tide in cantonment on January 8th, 2010 2:58 pm

    Florida fans move on show better sportsman ship. Alabama won everything that there was to offer. The S E C has the best players but Bama has the best team this year and next year. It takes a great coach to be a great leader and lead a team to wins like these. Foot ball is a team sport every job is important. Roll tide I am proud of yall!!!

  9. Bama fan68 on January 8th, 2010 2:13 pm

    The game was great last night. Bama did what they set out to do. I hate that the Texas qb got hurt, but, he has a $30million chance w/the NFL, why blow it on college ball? He’s going to be just fine! Now Gilbert, he got the chance to show his true colors and he did a very good job. No doubt! I really don’t think that the qb getting hurt was the reason Texas lost. It’s just something for all the non-believers to blame it on. Alabama has a great team and great coaches and that’s why they are the National Champs! So, with that being said, ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!

  10. Don on January 8th, 2010 1:52 pm

    I’ll give credit for Alabama football with the win! But, I kinder doubt or question about the win when McCoy from Texas wasn’t playing after the injury. Alabama didn’t play the best team at that time.

  11. Angi on January 8th, 2010 1:14 pm

    WTG BAMA! ROLL TIDE!!! HIP HIP HOORAY…

  12. Get off that soapbox! on January 8th, 2010 1:11 pm

    We messed with Texas!
    Roll Tide Roll!

  13. Bill2 on January 8th, 2010 12:34 pm

    to Micah Boise could have played fla if they had lost a game too. Then it would have been the loser bowl . Roll Tide !!!!

  14. interested reader on January 8th, 2010 11:55 am

    SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO! SABAN AND THE TEAM GOT THE JOB DONE ! LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL TIDE! ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY!

  15. The Real Hero's on January 8th, 2010 11:49 am

    As we all sit here today in a safe and comfortable place having fun bantering back and forth about a college football game. Let’s all remember that there are young men and women the same age of those who “played” on a football field last night voluntarily laying their life on the line on a battelfield so we can enjoy such insignifigant things. Those young Americans understand what Hero and Elite really mean. They do it for the love of their country and not for the love of a dollar. Their team is comprised of Tigers, Tide, Longhorns etc…… who stand as one. Without their Victory no one would be kissing any crystal. Have fun with he “Game” that their sacrafices make possible. Have fun with it but keep it in perspective. GO USA!

  16. ?? on January 8th, 2010 10:51 am

    Most of you sound like blubbering idiots. Nick Saban is one of the elite coaches in all of football. No, Texas was not killing Alabama before Mccoy went down seeing as how he only made it to the second series. 6-0? Doesn’t seem like much to me since they put up 37. To be quite honest Gilbert probably did better than Mccoy would have because it made the defense relax a little.

  17. rocky on January 8th, 2010 10:51 am

    Good job bama Coach Saban and players

  18. anon on January 8th, 2010 9:42 am

    Why don’t ya’ll just shut up and leave coach saban alone…I don’t see any of you idiots applying for the job of coach..obviously he’s done a good job if he won the darn sec championship.

  19. AUDREY on January 8th, 2010 9:38 am

    GOOD JOB TEAM! AND I MEAN TEAM ONLY!

  20. AUDREY on January 8th, 2010 9:36 am

    ALABAMA COACH DIDNT EARN THE TROPHY, HE HAS NOTHING GOOD TO SAY WHEN IT COMES TO HIS TEAM. IF YOUR NOT HAPPY WITH COACHING ALABAMA, LEAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  21. yes on January 8th, 2010 9:36 am

    RTR!!!

  22. Country Boy From Bratt on January 8th, 2010 9:28 am

    ROLL TIDE. THE TIDE IS BACK ON TOP!!!!!!

  23. robert on January 8th, 2010 9:07 am

    Gilbert did a fantastic job last night he has nothing to hang his head about. to only have taken four snaps all year and play as well as he did he deserves the credit for that.

  24. bama54 on January 8th, 2010 8:49 am

    For Bill, I to was thinking like you until my wife said she felt sorry for the Texas freshman qb. I then realized this is football and it would have been ok if “our” Alabama qb had gotten hurt, people would just say it is just football and it is what it is. I hate to see any one get hurt, espcially a talent like McCoy who is a play maker, but the freshman qb (back-up) would not be the back-up if he was not ready to play, and like you said he almost got the job done. I remember at the begining of the season when we lost two (2) play makers and we just played with what have, and not one said it wasn’t fair. The Bama team did not play well the second half, and CNS said the team at half time thought the game was won and did not play as well, but when the game got close, the defense turn it up a knotch and that all that matters. I would have rather win the game the way we did instead of wakening up finding out the “true freshman Quarterback beat us). Roll Tide Roll!!!

  25. Anna on January 8th, 2010 8:43 am

    To Bill….. The trophy may not be what is tarnished. It may be your outlook on it.. Texas did come out strong and pulled ahead basically due to trick plays and luck on their side.. And Colt McCoy did get hurt, which was very sad for him. I though am VERY glad Bama won. I knew it wouldn’t be a walk away game as a lot of other people also knew. But in the end, when the trophy was handed over, it did not have an inscription saying, Bama won only because…. It says Alabama Crimson Tide 2009 National Champions!! NUFF SAID!! ROLL TIDE ROLL !!!

  26. SouthernBelle on January 8th, 2010 8:41 am

    Roll Tide!!!!!!

  27. bill on January 8th, 2010 8:27 am

    Not one word about the injury to the Texas QB or how Texas was beating them like a redheaded stepchild until that injury. How about how Alabama managed to Hang On when that untested freshman brought Texas back to within a Field Goal, with a chance to possibly win the game. I really am a Bama fan but wanted them to a) beat Texas decisively and b) Beat their best not untried players.

    I know that’s football and it’s part of the game but that crystal trophy is a little tarnished in my eyes.

  28. Wild Bill on January 8th, 2010 8:18 am

    Who knew crow would taste just like chicken …..?

    : – )

    Congrats to the bama football team, ya’ll got it done!

    I still think Nick Saban is a PUTZ though…………

  29. Michele on January 8th, 2010 8:00 am

    Go cry somewhere else Michah, Floriduh had their chance and blew it! For 2 years we have put up with the Florida faithful and the ones just jumping on the bandwagon gloat and act like they were Gods, well guess what Alabama stopped that this year didn’t they!! Wish in one hand and do something else in the other, see which on fills up first!

    Alabama proved beyond a shadow of a doubt they were it this season, yes there were tight games and near misses, but that is what make ball exciting. As a faithful and devoted Bama fan I am so proud of them, and would be just a proud
    had they of lost!!

    Congrats to the 13 graduating Senior on bringing home #13!! ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!

  30. Alabma Fan!!!!!!! on January 8th, 2010 7:38 am

    ROLL TIDE ROLL!!! HA HA TEXAS!!! ALABAMA RULES!!! :-)

  31. V on January 8th, 2010 7:03 am

    Undefeated season,SEC champs,Heisman winner,BCS champion!!! What more can we say! ROLL TIDE ROLL!

  32. Connie on January 8th, 2010 6:28 am

    ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!! =]

  33. Sharon Bowman on January 8th, 2010 4:25 am

    Roll Tide Roll !!!!! This is big!

  34. Micah on January 8th, 2010 2:58 am

    Another disappointing title game. Proof that the BCS program fails to put the best teams in the championship. Both teams made major mistakes before the end of the first quarter. The rest of the game was just tough to watch with few pass plays and few large running gains.

    Wish Boise had’ve played Florida. That would have been a better game.