Alabama wins national championship

PASADENA, Calif. — “Finish.”

The mantra that drove Alabama through last spring, through summer camp and through a perfect season echoed fully when the Crimson Tide needed to make plays in the BCS National Championship Game.

They closed the first half by scoring 10 points in the last 30 seconds. And when short-handed Texas gamely scratched back to make it a game in the fourth quarter, the Crimson Tide added 13 points in the last 2:05 to win 37-21 Thursday night at the Rose Bowl.

“We had a goal at the beginning of the year,” center William Vlachos said before leaving the field. “Championshp teams are defined by how they finish and what they accomplish.”

It’s Alabama’s 13th national crown — by the school’s count — and its first since the 1992 season.

It was also the school’s first victory in nine tries against the Longhorns — and Alabama quarterback and Texas native Greg McElroy knew it.

“I couldn’t write the script any better,” said the junior quarterback. “If you’d have told us we’d have been here two years ago I would have absolutely not believed you.”

There were other milestones. Alabama coach Nick Saban became the first head coach at college football’s top level to win national titles at two schools since the 1930s.

“I’ve never been prouder of a group of guys for their resiliency, their buy-in, their hard work, the blood, sweat and tears that they put forth to accomplish what they accomplished this season,” Saban said.

Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram was the game’s most valuable offensive player, rushing for 116 yards on 22 carries.

Backup running back Trent Richardson was also tough. He gained 109 yards on 19 carries and also scored two touchdowns.

“It feels real good, especially this being my freshman season,” Richarsdon said.

It wasn’t nearly as easy as the final score indicated.

In fact, Texas rallied in the second half and pulled within a field goal, 24-21, with 6:15 left in the game.

Gilbert showed great courage in relief of All-American quarterback Colt McCoy, who was knocked out of the game on Texas’ fifth offensive snap by Marcell Dareus.

Dareus, named the defensive player of the game, turned in its highlight moment when he intercepted a shovel pass, got away from quarterback Garrett Gilbert, spun away from pursuit and rambled 28 yards for a touchdown with just three seconds left in the first half.

That capped a final-minute flurry that stretched a 14-6 Alabama lead to 24-6 at halftime.

“I really didn’t try to hit him that hard,” Dareus said of the hit that stopped McCoy at the line of scrimmage. It sent him to the sidelines with an injured right shoulder. “I didn’t try to hurt him. It’s just a part of the game.”

Gilbert finished 15-for-40 passing. Most of those completions were to Jordan Shipley, the Longhorns’ All-American receiver. Shipley caught a 44-yard touchdown pass early in the second half. His 28-yard touchdown reception — and a two-point conversion pass from Gilbert to Dan Buckner — got Texas close with 6:15 left in the game.

The Longhorns got the ball back at their 7-yard line following a P.J. Fitzgerald punt with 3:14 left.

“Sometimes you need to step up,” All-American middle linebacker Rolando McClain said. “But in the end it comes down to playing your type of football and playing your game.”

Alabama’s game throughout the season has been defense.

A holding penalty gave Texas a first down on the 17. But Eryk Anders sacked Garrett and Courtney Upshaw recovered at the Texas 3-yard line.
Alabama sealed the victory three plays later, when Ingram scored on a 1-yard run behind Terrence Cody, who lined up at fullback.

The Tide then intercepted Gilbert twice in the final two minutes. The first of those set up Richardson’s 2-yard touchdown with 47 seconds left — drawing boos from Texas fans accusing Alabama of running up the score.

Vlachos said they weren’t backing off.

“Being on the goal line is something I’ll never forget,” the center said. “The fourth quarter of the national championship game, you ain’t thinking about nothing but a win. You’re not worried about being tired, you’re not worried about anything, it’s just go, go, go. We put it on our backs tonight.”