Alabama Blows Out Michigan State 38-0

The #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (13-1) embarrassed #3 Michigan State (12-2) on a national stage Thursday night, thrashing the Spartans 38-0 in Arlington en route to yet another national championship appearance. Jake Coker played the game of his life, completing 25 of 30 passes for 286 yards and a pair of well-placed touchdown passes to Calvin Ridley. “I just think past year when we came to this game, we were happy just to take part in the game”, University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban said. And the last thing I want to do is look at the down side and say our last game as Spartans, we lost. The #1-ranked Clemson Tigers and the #2-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide dominated in their respective semifinal games to advance to the CFP Championship Game in Glendale, Arizona, on Monday, January 11.

Alabama Coach Nick Saban called Crimson Tide’s 38-0 Cotton Bowl win over Michigan State a team win with big plays. The freshman Ridley was brilliant, streaking by defenders on deep throws and outfighting them on jump balls. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley caught eight balls for 138 yards and two scores, both coming during a third-quarter barrage.

The Tide defense continued to step up as Allen found Cook again with under a minute remaining for the sac…and after the Spartans drove down the field into the redzone, Cook passed toward the end zone and it was intercepted by Cyrus Jones at the 1.

Heisman Trophy victor Derrick Henry had two touchdowns and 75 yards rushing. Teams such as Ohio State, Auburn, Mississippi and Texas A&M have given the Crimson Tide trouble; more traditional offenses seem to play into Alabama’s hands.

It still wasn’t as impressive as what Alabama did in a 38-0 win over Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl.

Henry will run for 125 yards and two touchdowns, while Coker will continue with his accurate passing and throw for 260 yards and two more touchdowns. The Heisman finalist also ran for 145 yards on 24 carries, scoring the Tigers’ first touchdown on a 5-yard run. “I thought we had it, and I thought we would come back out there with the intensity we needed after the first half”, McDowell said.

Alabama did what Alabama does and were bigger, stronger and faster than the Spartans.

Baker Mayfield was 26 of 41 for 311 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. “I don’t know if it was a focus thing, we just didn’t finish”. On the field they wore T-shirts that read, “WON & NOT DONE” – with the ampersand replaced by a stylized Alabama “A”. “It seemed like they were running plays that we knew what they were going to do”.

The celebration at that point was pretty tame on the Alabama sideline. Serving at first on an interim basis, he got the job permanently after leading Clemson to bowl eligibility. Michigan State’s chance to go into the half with something positive was snatched by Jones.

Standing 6-6 and weighing 242 pounds, it’s hard to imagine O.J. Howard becoming a forgotten man. But the Alabama tight end did towards the end of the season.

Connor Cook, Michigan State quarterback: “It’s just been so fun”.

Ala – C.Jones 57 punt return (Griffith kick), 3:24.

RUSHING-MSU, Di. Terry 1-14, M.London 5-11, LJ.Scott 6-8, Burbridge 3-8, Dl. The defense did the rest, shutting down Baker Mayfield and a Sooners offense that was averaging 52 points over its previous seven games.