Alabama defeated Cincinnati in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl CFP Semifinal Game to advance to National Championship Game against Georgia. Let’s take a look at the game highlights.
Game Fourteen – Cotton Bowl #BamaFactor #RollTide pic.twitter.com/XBTria2m9R
— Alabama Football 🥋 (@AlabamaFTBL) January 4, 2022
Scoring Summary:
Alabama scored first, capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive with an 8-yard pass from Bryce Young to Slade Bolden. Will Reichard’s kick made the score Alabama 7 – Cincinnati 0.
Cincinnati answered with a promising drive of its own before settling for a 33-yard field goal by Cole Smith. Alabama 7 – Cincinnati 3.
Alabama matched that with one of its own early in the second quarter. Will Reichard’s 26-yarder putting Alabama up by a score of 10-3.
Bryce Young connected with Ja’Corey Brooks on a 44-yard pass and run with just 1:36 left in the half. The score ended the half with Alabama on top by a score of 17-3.
Cincinnati received the opening kickoff of the second half and drove 56 yards on 11 plays. Smith converted on a 37-yard field goal to make the score Alabama 17 – Cincinnati 6. The Bearcats would get no closer.
The Crimson Tide finished the scoring with two fourth quarter scores. Young led Bama on a 9-play 70-yard drive that culminated on a 9-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Latu. Reichard’s kick put Alabama on top by a score of 21-6.
Reichard closed the scoring with a 43-yard field goal with 6:20 left on the clock. Alabama 24 – Cincinnati 6.
Bryce Young completed 17 of 28 passes for 181 yards, 3 TD’s and 1 interception, as Alabama focused more on the running game against the Bearcat’s 3-3-5 defensive scheme.
Brian Robinson led all rushers with 204 yards (an Alabama bowl game record) on 26 carries.
The Alabama defense held Cincinnati to just 218 total yards.
The National Championship Game is next. Alabama will once again face the Georgia Bulldogs, who defeated Michigan in the Orange Bowl Semifinal by a score of 34-11.
