Michigan’s three takeaways, five sacks on Jalen Milroe help Wolverines defeat Alabama in ReliaQuest Bowl

The Wolverines ended 2024 the same way they started the year — taking down Alabama that came down to to the end of the game o a defensive stand on fourth down. Michigan defeated the Tide in the ReliaQuest Bowl to end the season on a huge high note:

For a second straight game, the Michigan Wolverines won outright as a massive underdog. After winning in Columbus last month, Michigan went to Tampa, Florida and took down the Alabama Crimson Tide , 19-13, in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines head into the offseason on a huge high note.

Here’s how Michigan’s last game of the 2024 season went down.

First Quarter

The Tide began the game with the ball and after picking up one first down, Alabama quickly faced a fourth down situation. Much like in the Rose Bowl — six times, to be exact — Jalen Milroe was sacked. Derrick Moore, who recently announced he is returning to Michigan next season, was the one who got to Milroe to force the turnover on downs.

After two runs by freshman Jordan Marshall, Michigan quarterback Davis Warren converted on third down by finding freshman tight end Hogan Hansen after being flushed out of the pocket by the Bama pass rush. A trick play gone wrong set Michigan way behind the sticks, which eventually forced a Dominic Zvada 45-yard field goal to put the Wolverines on top. Michigan 3, Alabama 0

With the rain pouring in Tampa, Milroe fumbled on the first snap of Alabama’s next drive, which was recovered by Moore. After three straight run plays, Zvada nailed a 30-yard field goal to extend Michigan’s early lead. Michigan 6, Alabama 0

Just two plays into Alabama’s ensuing drive, Milroe made another huge mistake — throwing a pass right into the vicinity of safety Wesley Walker, who tipped it to himself for the pick.

On third down, Warren completed the pass to wide receiver Fred Moore for the 13-yard touchdown. Michigan 13, Alabama 0

Inexplicably, Milroe turned the ball over AGAIN on the very first play of the drive. Cornerback Aamir Hall forced the fumble and defensive lineman Cameron Brandt picked it up and got it down to the Alabama six yard line. Unfortunately, Michigan was only able to get down to the three yard line before converting an easy 21-yard field goal for Zvada. Michigan 16, Alabama 0

Bama had the ball at its own 34 facing a third-and-11 heading into the second quarter.

End of Q1: Michigan 16, Alabama 0

Second Quarter

After a false start, the Tide only picked up one yard on a Milroe rush on third-and-16. Alabama punted, and after a drive that took up five minute of game time, Michigan punted it right back to the Tide. Hudson Hollenbeck — who is now Michigan’s starting punter with Tommy Doman in the portal — booted it 40 yards down to Alabama’s 16 yard line.

After the Tide picked up a first down, Moore got to Milroe for his second sack of the game, marking his first multi-sack game of his career. That set Bama behind the sticks and eventually forced a punt on fourth-and-18.

Michigan went three-and-out and immediately gave up its first big play of the day on defense, with Rico Scott picking up 28 yards on the carry. Just a few plays later, Milroe tossed a 25-yard touchdown to tight end Robbie Ouzts. The drive only lasted 4:06 of game time. Michigan 16, Alabama 7

After milking the clock to 58 seconds left, Hollenbeck had a great punt and got it all the way down to the Alabama four yard line. On third-and-one — after Michigan elected to take a timeout — Milroe ran 41 yards all the way to the Michigan 46 with 28 seconds left. Milroe then threw a 40-yard pass to Jermie Bernard to get to the Michigan six. Wink Martindale’s defense stepped up in the red zone, forcing a fourth-down 24-yard field goal. Michigan 16, Alabama 10

HALFTIME: Michigan 16, Alabama 10

Third Quarter

Michigan started the second half with the ball, and after picking up a first down, Warren was sacked and was removed from the game due to the injury. Alex Orji replaced Warren and the Wolverines lost a yard on three straight rush plays after the injury. Hollenbeck’s punt went into the end zone for the touchback.

On Alabama’s ensuing position, Milroe was sacked once again — this one was the fourth of the game for Michigan, with safety Brandyn Hillman getting this one. That negative play helped Michigan’s defense get off the field, as Alabama was forced to punt yet again.

After a really nice run by Marshall that picked up a first down, Michigan shot itself in the foot with a face mask penalty by tight end Hogan Hansen. That eventually led to a fourth-and-15 punt by Hollenbeck.

Michigan’s defense stepped up once again, sacking Milroe on third down to give Michigan’s offense another shot to extend the lead. Unfortunately, Orji threw a third-down interception to set up Alabama with great field position and all the momentum.

End of 3Q: Michigan 16, Alabama 10

Fourth Quarter

Alabama wasn’t able to do anything with that field position, as the Tide were unable to convert on fourth-and-seven at the Michigan 34. Marshall took a handoff 24 yards to the Bama 40 yard line, and Orji used his legs to get another 10 yards. Michigan ended up settling for a 37-yard field goal by Zvada to get a two-possession lead. Michigan 19, Alabama 10

With Alabama down two possessions and in desperate need of some points, the Tide got just that. They quickly got within field goal range — in large part thanks to a gift from the refs in the form of a roughing the passer on Jaishawn Barham — and converted a 51-yarder. Michigan 19, Alabama 13

Being conservative, the Wolverines ran the clock down as much as possible, getting it all the way down to 2:34 before punting. Ryan Williams returned a booming punt 38 yards to the Tide 44 yard line.

But like it has all game long, the Michigan defense rose to the occasion. After getting all the way down to the 15 yard line, the Wolverines forced four straight Milroe incompletions to take down the Tide.

Final: Michigan 19, Alabama 13

Michigan Stat Leaders

• QB Davis Warren: 9-of-12, 73 yards, 1 TD
• RB Jordan Marshall: 23 carries, 100 yards
• WR Fred Moore: 3 catches, 37 yards, 1 TD
• DE Derrick Moore: Four tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, one fumble recovery
• CB Aamir Hall: Nine tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one pass breakup, one forced fumble

Alabama Stat Leaders

• QB Jalen Milroe: 16-of-32, 192 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• WR Germie Bernard: 4 catches, 80 yards

And with that, the long offseason begins. We won’t see Michigan football again until the spring game (TBD day/time), and then in Week 1 of the 2025 season on Saturday, Aug. 30 against New Mexico State at the Big House.