On Dec. 20, 2025 in Norman, Oklahoma, No. 9 seed Alabama rallied from a 17-point hole to defeat No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24 in the College Football Playoff first round. Quarterback Ty Simpson threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns while freshman Lotzeir Brooks—scoreless during the regular season—found the end zone twice and posted season highs in catches (five) and receiving yards (79). A second-quarter 50-yard interception return by Alabama’s Zabien Brown flipped the momentum and helped the Crimson Tide erase an early deficit. With the victory Alabama (11-3) advances to a Rose Bowl quarterfinal on Jan. 1 against No. 1 seed Indiana and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.
Key Takeaways
- Alabama overcame a 17-0 deficit to win 34-24; the comeback unfolded between the second and third quarters.
- Ty Simpson finished with 232 passing yards and two touchdown passes; both scoring throws went to Lotzeir Brooks.
- Lotzeir Brooks, a freshman, recorded five catches for a season-high 79 yards and two touchdowns after not scoring in the regular season.
- Oklahoma QB John Mateer passed for 307 yards and two touchdowns; Deion Burks caught seven passes for 107 yards and one score.
- Alabama’s Zabien Brown returned an interception 50 yards for a second-quarter touchdown that tied the game at 17.
- Kicker Tate Sandell drilled a 51-yard field goal into a stiff wind earlier in the game but later missed field goals of 36 and 51 yards, ending a 24-consecutive made streak for long FGs.
- The win sends Alabama (11-3) to the Rose Bowl to face No. 1 Indiana and Heisman Trophy-winning QB Fernando Mendoza on Jan. 1.
Background
The two programs met three times in 13 months: Oklahoma beat Alabama 24-3 in Norman in November 2024 and edged the Crimson Tide 23-21 in Tuscaloosa last month, making this meeting the rubber match in quick succession. Alabama is in its first College Football Playoff since coach Kalen DeBoer, who arrived from Washington two years ago, took over the program. The matchup carried extra narrative weight because both teams entered with winning expectations—Alabama at 11-3 and Oklahoma at 10-3—and both rosters feature NFL-caliber skill players and established coaching staffs.
Special teams were a storyline entering the game: Oklahoma’s Tate Sandell, winner of the Lou Groza Award, had been especially reliable on long attempts this season, tying the FBS single-season mark for makes of 50 yards or more before tonight. Conversely, Alabama’s offense had struggled early in the game, going three-and-out on its first three possessions, a slow start that echoed some midseason offensive inconsistencies under a new coaching regime.
Main Event
Oklahoma opened the scoring when Sandell booted a 51-yard field goal late in the first quarter, giving the Sooners a 10-0 edge after they dominated the early yardage battle. Mateer’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna III in the second quarter extended the lead to 17-0. Alabama’s offense, idle through three possessions, finally generated life when Simpson connected with Brooks on a 10-yard touchdown to make it 17-7 midway through the second quarter.
Momentum swung before halftime when Mateer threw an interception that Zabien Brown returned 50 yards for a touchdown, tying the score at 17 and punctuating a sudden shift in field position and confidence. Early in the third quarter Simpson found Brooks again on a 30-yard scoring pass that gave Alabama its first lead of the night. A 40-yard field goal by Conor Talty pushed the lead to 27-17 later in the quarter.
Oklahoma answered to open the fourth quarter when Deion Burks caught a 37-yard touchdown from Mateer and trimmed the margin to 27-24. Oklahoma had opportunities in the closing minutes but missed two critical field goals: a 36-yarder with under three minutes remaining and a 51-yarder with 1:18 left, both by Sandell, which eliminated chances for a comeback. Alabama added insurance points in the late stages to finish at 34-24.
Analysis & Implications
Alabama’s comeback highlights how a single turnover-return can alter a high-stakes postseason game. Brown’s 50-yard interception return not only erased a multi-score deficit but also reversed Oklahoma’s field-position advantage and forced the Sooners to play from a reactive posture. For Alabama, the win validates adjustments made by the coaching staff in-game and demonstrates improved situational defense under pressure.
For Oklahoma, the loss underscores a paradox: strong yardage totals and an effective vertical passing attack (Mateer 307 yards) but failure to convert special-teams consistency into a late-game edge. Sandell’s earlier long field goal showed his range, but the two late misses—one from 36 yards and one from 51 yards—were decisive. The misses will likely prompt coaches to review kick-selection and late-game special-teams strategy.
Looking ahead to the Rose Bowl quarterfinal, Alabama faces Indiana and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, a matchup that will test Alabama’s pass defense and secondary depth. If Alabama’s offense can sustain drives earlier than it did against Oklahoma’s opening defense, the Tide will put pressure on Indiana’s defense in ways that could flip typical game scripts in the CFP bracket. The win also bolsters DeBoer’s resume in postseason play, which matters for program momentum and recruiting narratives.
Comparison & Data
| Stat | Alabama | Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Final record (postgame) | 11-3 | 10-3 |
| Passing yards (starter) | Ty Simpson — 232 | John Mateer — 307 |
| Top receiver | Lotzeir Brooks — 5 catches, 79 yards, 2 TDs | Deion Burks — 7 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD |
| Notable special teams | Conor Talty — 40-yd FG | Tate Sandell — 51-yd FG; missed 36-yd & 51-yd attempts late |
The table shows how Oklahoma accumulated more passing yards but Alabama converted a key turnover into points and produced a more timely scoring sequence. Alabama’s scoring burst across the second and third quarters changed win probability dramatically; Oklahoma’s yardage advantage early did not translate into a sustainable scoring margin.
Reactions & Quotes
Alabama’s head coach praised the team’s composure after a sluggish start and credited the defense for a game-changing takeaway.
Kalen DeBoer (paraphrased from postgame remarks)
Oklahoma staff acknowledged missed opportunities on special teams and said the late misses will be reviewed in detail.
Oklahoma special teams coach / staff (paraphrased)
Freshman Lotzeir Brooks was noted for seizing a rare chance to impact a playoff game after a quiet regular season.
Team media notes / postgame interviews (paraphrased)
Unconfirmed
- Whether Sandell was dealing with any underlying physical issue that contributed to the two late missed field goals has not been confirmed by team medical staff.
- Any internal lineup or disciplinary changes for Oklahoma or Alabama ahead of the Rose Bowl quarterfinal have not been announced and remain unconfirmed.
Bottom Line
Alabama’s 34-24 victory over Oklahoma was defined by a momentum-shifting interception return, timely play by freshman receiver Lotzeir Brooks and the Tide’s ability to capitalize in the second half. Statistical advantages for Oklahoma—most notably John Mateer’s 307 passing yards—did not prevent a loss because Oklahoma failed to convert yardage into decisive late-game points and missed two critical field-goal attempts.
As Alabama prepares to face No. 1 Indiana and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, the matchup will test Alabama’s secondary and ability to sustain early drives. For Oklahoma, the season ends with questions about late-game execution and special-teams reliability that the staff will need to address in the offseason.