2010 BCS National Championship Game
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Citi
BCS National Championship Game
was the finale of the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season
, and was played between the Texas Longhorns and the Alabama Crimson Tide
. It was hosted by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association
at the Rose Bowl Stadium
in Pasadena, California
, January 7, 2010. It was the 12th BCS national championship game, and the second consecutive year the champion of the Southeastern Conference
(SEC) was matched against the champion of the Big 12 Conference
.
The game was the ninth meeting of Texas and Alabama, though the first since the 1982 Cotton Bowl Classic
. Prior to the game, Texas led the all-time series with a 7-0-1 record, with the first meeting in 1902.
The match-up was the third game in which the Tournament of Roses hosted the BCS National Championship game in Pasadena, and the fifth time, overall, that it has hosted a #1 versus #2 match-up. However, this was the first time the Tournament of Roses hosted the game as a separate event from the Rose Bowl Game
. They had previously hosted BCS Championship games in the 2006
and 2002
Rose Bowls, and pre-BCS #1 versus #2 match-ups in the 1969
and 1963
Rose Bowls.
ABC
televised the game, as well as the Rose Bowl
; Fox televised the remainder of the BCS. The match-up was the final BCS game to air on broadcast television, with cable network ESPN
taking over all Bowl Championship Series telecasts starting in 2011. Following the game in June, Citi decided to end the sponsorship of any future Rose Bowl games, including the National Championship game.
performed America the Beautiful
prior to the teams taking the field, while Flea
, Josh Groban
performed the Star-Spangled Banner. United States Air Force Academy
parachute jumpers, Wings of Blue
, dropped in before the National Anthem and 4 F-18 Super Hornets flew over at the conclusion. Keith Jackson
, the now-retired, legendary, long-time ABC Sports college football play-by-play announcer, performed the coin toss. Jackson was inducted into the Rose Bowl Game's Hall of Fame in 1999.
The two teams that played in this game had won a combined 11 poll-era national championships. Texas had won four, most recently in 2005, and Alabama had won seven, most recently in 1992. Texas had participated in three previous BCS Bowl games and was only one of two teams who were undefeated and had played in at least three BCS Bowls. Alabama had played in two previous BCS Bowl games, 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl
and 2000 FedEx Orange Bowl
losing both.
Texas was leading the all-time series with Alabama by a 7-0-1 count (2-0 in Austin, 2-0 in Dallas, 1-0 in Miami, 1-0 in New Orleans, 1-0 in Tuscaloosa, 0-0-1 in Houston).
was sacked for a loss. Alabama subsequently attempted a fake punt, but the pass was intercepted by Longhorn Blake Gideon. Texas' next four plays yielded 24 yards via a combination of passing and running plays, putting Texas in position to score the game's first touchdown.
At this point, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy
(2008 & 2009 Heisman Trophy runner up) was knocked out of the game on the Longhorns' fifth play from scrimmage. On a planned QB run play, McCoy was hit by sophomore Alabama Defensive Lineman Marcell Dareus
, pinching a nerve in McCoy's throwing shoulder and leaving him unable to feel the sensation of the ball against his hand and thus unable to throw the ball accurately. McCoy was replaced by true freshman Garrett Gilbert
, who was ineffective in the first half. However, in the second half, senior WR Jordan Shipley
would help QB Gilbert's cause by grabbing two touchdowns against Alabama.
With McCoy out of the game and Texas' hopes dwindling, Alabama attacked Texas from both sides of the ball. While Gilbert was able to lead Texas to a field goal on his first drive and another on his second drive (after a recovered short kick-off, but not a designed onside kick
), Texas would not generate any more points in the first half. Several of Gilbert's passes were off-target, and several others were dropped by Texas receivers.
On the other hand, Alabama started working their offense and defense. Alabama's offensive line was able to create holes in the Texas defense where ever they were needed. Behind the superior offensive line, Alabama running back Mark Ingram
moved almost at will against a Texas defense. The power offense resulted in Alabama taking a lead it would never relinquish on the first play of the second quarter. Mark Ingram
Scampered into the end zone for a touchdown behind the block of 360-pound defensive lineman Terrance Cody, who was routinely used by Alabama as a blocker when Alabama was close to the goal-line.
Alabama took control of the game mid-way through the second quarter and Alabama's offensive line blew a huge hole in the Texas defense that allowed freshman running back Trent Richardson
to shoot straight down the middle of the field for a 48-yard touchdown run. The Point-after made the game 14-6 in favor of the Crimson Tide. McElroy would be sacked 4 times by the Texas defense in the first half, but with Ingram and Richardson both gaining yards steadily on the ground, Alabama rarely needed to pass.
The last few minutes was dominated by the Alabama defense. Javier Arenas
intercepted Gilbert to end one drive and Marcell Dareus
intercepted another. Alabama's Leigh Tiffin
would add a field goal after Arenas' interception. After the ensuing kickoff, Dareus, a defensive lineman, intercepted Gilbert with 12 seconds left in the half on a bobbled "shovel pass" and the 300-pounder returned the interception for a touchdown, with the point after giving Alabama a 24-6 lead going into halftime.
In the second half, the Texas combination of Gilbert and Shipley, and a Longhorns defense that shut down Alabama in the second half brought the Longhorns within 3 points of Alabama with six minutes to play in the game 24-21. However, Crimson Tide's defense's first sack (by Erik Anders) led to a fumble recovery by Courtney Upshaw
at the Texas 3-yard line that tipped the momentum back to the Crimson Tide. After the recovery, Alabama's Mark Ingram
would add his 2nd touchdown
of the night and enable Saban's team to extend its lead to 31–21. Alabama's defense would grab a pair of interceptions from the true freshman Gilbert and the Crimson Tide's offense would add another touchdown from Trent Richardson
for a 37-21 final. Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban
won his second BCS Championship, the only coach to do so with two different programs. Alabama also became the third team in Division I FBS history to finish a season 14–0, after Ohio State in 2002
and Boise State
three days earlier
.
The other pivotal play was late in the 4th quarter. Texas had closed the Alabama lead to 24-21 on the strength of two touchdown passes caught by Senior WR Jordan Shipley and a #2 ranked defense that had held Alabama scoreless in the second half, and had just taken possession deep in their own end with 3:04 left to play. Alabama defender Eryk Anders made his team's first sack, tackling Gilbert hard enough to force a fumble, which was recovered by Courtney Upshaw
at the Texas 3-yard line. On the following drive, with 2:01 to go in the 4th quarter, Alabama's Mark Ingram scored a touchdown to extend the Crimson Tide's lead to 31–21.
After the ensuing kickoff, Texas' QB showed his inexperience against a great Alabama defense. On the second play of that drive, DB Javier Arenas
of The Crimson Tide grabbed his 6th interception of the season, electing to "down" the ball rather than return it. Alabama's true freshman running back, Trent Richardson
, gained 27 yards in 3 plays to score, building Alabama's lead to 37-21 with 47 seconds to play.
Texas' final drive also ended with an interception which bounced off of several players before ending up in the grasp of Alabama reserve defensive back Tyrone King, a senior who saw little playing time in his career. Alabama QB Greg McElroy
would take a knee to drain the last 0:36 off the clock, handing Alabama its first BCS championship, 8th national title since 1960, and first ever win over Texas.
Coming into the game, Texas had the top rated rushing defense in college football. However, Alabama's Heisman Trophy
winner Mark Ingram
rushed 22 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns, while back-up running back True Freshman Trent Richardson
contributed an additional 109 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy was 6-for-11 for 58 yards and no touchdowns, taking five sacks in the process. Texas' freshman quarterback, Garrett Gilbert, passed for 186 yards and two touchdowns, but also lost a fumble and tossed four interceptions, two of which bounced off Texas receivers.
! rowspan=2|Quarter !! rowspan=2|Time !! colspan=2|Drive !! rowspan=2|Team
! rowspan=2|Scoring information !! colspan=2|Score>
| 9:11 > 10 plays, 36 yards
3:50
18–yard field goal
! 3 !! 0 4 plays, 5 yards
1:07
! 6 !! 0
| 14:18 > 7 plays, 57 yards
3:24
2–yard run, Leigh Tiffin
kick good
! 6 !! 7 2 plays, 49 yards
0:45
49–yard run, Leigh Tiffin
kick good
! 6 !! 14 6 plays, 20 yards
1:51
26–yard field goal
! 6 !! 17—
28–yard interception return, Leigh Tiffin
kick good
! 6 !! 24
| 1:31 > 5 plays, 59 yards
1:44
44–yard reception from Garrett Gilbert
, Hunter Lawrence kick good
! 13 !! 24
| 6:15 > 10 plays, 65 yards
4:58
! 21 !! 24 3 plays, 3 yards
1:01
1–yard run, Leigh Tiffin
kick good
! 21 !! 31 3 plays, 27 yards
1:01
2–yard run, Leigh Tiffin
kick no good
! 21 !! 37
! 21 !! 37>
Citigroup
Citigroup Inc. or Citi is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Citigroup was formed from one of the world's largest mergers in history by combining the banking giant Citicorp and financial conglomerate...
BCS National Championship Game
BCS National Championship Game
The BCS National Championship Game, or BCS National Championship, is the final bowl game of the annual Bowl Championship Series and is intended by the organizers of the BCS to determine the U.S. national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision...
was the finale of the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season
2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on September 2, 2009, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Pasadena, California on January 7, 2010, featuring the...
, and was played between the Texas Longhorns and the Alabama Crimson Tide
2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 77th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 18th within the SEC Western Division...
. It was hosted by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association
Pasadena Tournament of Roses
Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, created by the efforts of Charles Frederick Holder and Francis F. Rowland, is the non-profit organization that has annually produced the New Year's Day Tournament of Roses Parade since 1895 and the Rose Bowl Game, since 1902...
at the Rose Bowl Stadium
Rose Bowl (stadium)
The Rose Bowl is an outdoor athletic stadium in Pasadena, California, U.S., in Los Angeles County. The stadium is the site of the annual college football bowl game, the Rose Bowl, held on New Year's Day. In 1982, it became the home field of the UCLA Bruins college football team of the Pac-12...
in Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, January 7, 2010. It was the 12th BCS national championship game, and the second consecutive year the champion of the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
(SEC) was matched against the champion of the Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
.
The game was the ninth meeting of Texas and Alabama, though the first since the 1982 Cotton Bowl Classic
1982 Cotton Bowl Classic
The 1982 Cotton Bowl Classic was a post-season college football game played on January 1, 1982. It pitted the #6 Texas Longhorns against the #3 Alabama Crimson Tide...
. Prior to the game, Texas led the all-time series with a 7-0-1 record, with the first meeting in 1902.
The match-up was the third game in which the Tournament of Roses hosted the BCS National Championship game in Pasadena, and the fifth time, overall, that it has hosted a #1 versus #2 match-up. However, this was the first time the Tournament of Roses hosted the game as a separate event from the Rose Bowl Game
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
. They had previously hosted BCS Championship games in the 2006
2006 Rose Bowl
The 2006 Rose Bowl Game, played on January 4, 2006, was a football game that served as the national championship of the 2005-2006 Bowl Championship Series...
and 2002
2002 Rose Bowl
The 2002 Rose Bowl, played on January 3, 2002, was a college football bowl game. It was the 88th Rose Bowl game and was the BCS National Championship Game of the 2001 college football season...
Rose Bowls, and pre-BCS #1 versus #2 match-ups in the 1969
1969 Rose Bowl
The 1969 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1969. It was the 55th Rose Bowl Game. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the USC Trojans, 27–16. Rex Kern, the Ohio State quarterback, was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game....
and 1963
1963 Rose Bowl
The 1963 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1963 at the end of the 1962 college football season. It was the 49th Rose Bowl Game. The USC Trojans defeated the Wisconsin Badgers, 42–37...
Rose Bowls.
ABC
ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
televised the game, as well as the Rose Bowl
2010 Rose Bowl
The 2010 Rose Bowl, the 96th edition of the annual game, was a college football bowl game played on Friday, January 1, 2010 at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. It featured the Ohio State Buckeyes against the Oregon Ducks...
; Fox televised the remainder of the BCS. The match-up was the final BCS game to air on broadcast television, with cable network ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
taking over all Bowl Championship Series telecasts starting in 2011. Following the game in June, Citi decided to end the sponsorship of any future Rose Bowl games, including the National Championship game.
Pregame ceremonies
Audra McDonaldAudra McDonald
Audra Ann McDonald is an American actress and singer. She currently stars in the ABC television drama Private Practice as Dr. Naomi Bennett. She has appeared on the stage in both musicals and dramas, such as Ragtime and A Raisin in the Sun...
performed America the Beautiful
America the Beautiful
"America the Beautiful" is an American patriotic song. The lyrics were written by Katharine Lee Bates and the music composed by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward....
prior to the teams taking the field, while Flea
Flea (musician)
Michael Peter Balzary , better known by his stage name Flea, is an Australian-American musician and occasional actor. He is best known as the bassist, co-founding member, and one of the composers of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers...
, Josh Groban
Josh Groban
Joshua Winslow "Josh" Groban is an American singer-songwriter, musician, actor, and record producer. His four solo albums have been certified at least multi-platinum, and in 2007, he was charted as the number-one best selling artist in the United States with over 21 million records in that country...
performed the Star-Spangled Banner. United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
parachute jumpers, Wings of Blue
Wings of Blue
The 98th Flying Training Squadron is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Education and Training Command 306th Flying Training Group. It is stationed at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado....
, dropped in before the National Anthem and 4 F-18 Super Hornets flew over at the conclusion. Keith Jackson
Keith Jackson
Keith Jackson is an American sportscaster, known for his long career with ABC Sports , his coverage of college football , his style of folksy, down-to-earth commentary, and his distinctive voice, with its deep cadence, and operatic tone considered "like Edward R...
, the now-retired, legendary, long-time ABC Sports college football play-by-play announcer, performed the coin toss. Jackson was inducted into the Rose Bowl Game's Hall of Fame in 1999.
Teams
Texas wore its white jerseys and was situated on the east sideline, and Alabama wore its crimson jerseys and used the west bench at the Rose Bowl stadium.The two teams that played in this game had won a combined 11 poll-era national championships. Texas had won four, most recently in 2005, and Alabama had won seven, most recently in 1992. Texas had participated in three previous BCS Bowl games and was only one of two teams who were undefeated and had played in at least three BCS Bowls. Alabama had played in two previous BCS Bowl games, 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl
2009 Sugar Bowl
The 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl was the 75th annual edition of the annual college football bowl game that is part of the 2008–09 bowl season of the Bowl Championship Series 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
and 2000 FedEx Orange Bowl
2000 Orange Bowl
The 2000 FedEx Orange Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Michigan Wolverines on January 1, 2000, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Michigan defeated Alabama 35-34 in an overtime battle...
losing both.
Texas was leading the all-time series with Alabama by a 7-0-1 count (2-0 in Austin, 2-0 in Dallas, 1-0 in Miami, 1-0 in New Orleans, 1-0 in Tuscaloosa, 0-0-1 in Houston).
Game summary
Alabama won the coin toss and elected to receive the kickoff. On their first drive, Alabama was not able to earn a first down, and quarterback Greg McElroyGreg McElroy
Gregory McElroy, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama....
was sacked for a loss. Alabama subsequently attempted a fake punt, but the pass was intercepted by Longhorn Blake Gideon. Texas' next four plays yielded 24 yards via a combination of passing and running plays, putting Texas in position to score the game's first touchdown.
At this point, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy
Colt McCoy
Daniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
(2008 & 2009 Heisman Trophy runner up) was knocked out of the game on the Longhorns' fifth play from scrimmage. On a planned QB run play, McCoy was hit by sophomore Alabama Defensive Lineman Marcell Dareus
Marcell Dareus
-Buffalo Bills:Dareus was selected with the 3rd overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills on April 28, 2011. On April 29, the day after the first round, the Bills announced that Dareus would wear jersey number 99. On July, 29, 2011, Dareus signed a 4 year deal with the Bills worth...
, pinching a nerve in McCoy's throwing shoulder and leaving him unable to feel the sensation of the ball against his hand and thus unable to throw the ball accurately. McCoy was replaced by true freshman Garrett Gilbert
Garrett Gilbert
Garrett Gilbert is a current quarterback for the SMU Mustangs college football team. Gilbert was regarded as one of the best high school quarterbacks of his class and was named the 2008 Offensive Player of the Year by USA Today....
, who was ineffective in the first half. However, in the second half, senior WR Jordan Shipley
Jordan Shipley
Jordan Shipley is an American football player who currently plays wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League . He was drafted by Cincinnati in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
would help QB Gilbert's cause by grabbing two touchdowns against Alabama.
With McCoy out of the game and Texas' hopes dwindling, Alabama attacked Texas from both sides of the ball. While Gilbert was able to lead Texas to a field goal on his first drive and another on his second drive (after a recovered short kick-off, but not a designed onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
), Texas would not generate any more points in the first half. Several of Gilbert's passes were off-target, and several others were dropped by Texas receivers.
On the other hand, Alabama started working their offense and defense. Alabama's offensive line was able to create holes in the Texas defense where ever they were needed. Behind the superior offensive line, Alabama running back Mark Ingram
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
moved almost at will against a Texas defense. The power offense resulted in Alabama taking a lead it would never relinquish on the first play of the second quarter. Mark Ingram
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
Scampered into the end zone for a touchdown behind the block of 360-pound defensive lineman Terrance Cody, who was routinely used by Alabama as a blocker when Alabama was close to the goal-line.
Alabama took control of the game mid-way through the second quarter and Alabama's offensive line blew a huge hole in the Texas defense that allowed freshman running back Trent Richardson
Trent Richardson
Trent Richardson is an American football running back. He is in his junior year at the University of Alabama. As a true freshman with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2009 he helped lead the Tide to an undefeated 14-0 season including a victory in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.-High school...
to shoot straight down the middle of the field for a 48-yard touchdown run. The Point-after made the game 14-6 in favor of the Crimson Tide. McElroy would be sacked 4 times by the Texas defense in the first half, but with Ingram and Richardson both gaining yards steadily on the ground, Alabama rarely needed to pass.
The last few minutes was dominated by the Alabama defense. Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
intercepted Gilbert to end one drive and Marcell Dareus
Marcell Dareus
-Buffalo Bills:Dareus was selected with the 3rd overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills on April 28, 2011. On April 29, the day after the first round, the Bills announced that Dareus would wear jersey number 99. On July, 29, 2011, Dareus signed a 4 year deal with the Bills worth...
intercepted another. Alabama's Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
would add a field goal after Arenas' interception. After the ensuing kickoff, Dareus, a defensive lineman, intercepted Gilbert with 12 seconds left in the half on a bobbled "shovel pass" and the 300-pounder returned the interception for a touchdown, with the point after giving Alabama a 24-6 lead going into halftime.
In the second half, the Texas combination of Gilbert and Shipley, and a Longhorns defense that shut down Alabama in the second half brought the Longhorns within 3 points of Alabama with six minutes to play in the game 24-21. However, Crimson Tide's defense's first sack (by Erik Anders) led to a fumble recovery by Courtney Upshaw
Courtney Upshaw
Courtney Upshaw is an American football linebacker for the University of Alabama. Upshaw is considered one of the best pass-rushing outside linebackers of his class and a potential first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft....
at the Texas 3-yard line that tipped the momentum back to the Crimson Tide. After the recovery, Alabama's Mark Ingram
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
would add his 2nd touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
of the night and enable Saban's team to extend its lead to 31–21. Alabama's defense would grab a pair of interceptions from the true freshman Gilbert and the Crimson Tide's offense would add another touchdown from Trent Richardson
Trent Richardson
Trent Richardson is an American football running back. He is in his junior year at the University of Alabama. As a true freshman with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2009 he helped lead the Tide to an undefeated 14-0 season including a victory in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.-High school...
for a 37-21 final. Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban
Nick Saban
Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
won his second BCS Championship, the only coach to do so with two different programs. Alabama also became the third team in Division I FBS history to finish a season 14–0, after Ohio State in 2002
2002 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was the national champion of the 2002 college football season. The team was the first in Division I-A history to finish its season at 14–0, and the second to win 14 games, following BYU's 14–1 season in 1996...
and Boise State
2009 Boise State Broncos football team
The 2009 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2009 college football season. The Broncos played their home games at Bronco Stadium, most famous for its blue artificial turf surface, often referred to as the "smurf-turf"...
three days earlier
2010 Fiesta Bowl
The 2010 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game between the #4 TCU Horned Frogs, champions of the Mountain West Conference, and the #6 Boise State Broncos, champions of the Western Athletic Conference. The game was played Monday, January 4, 2010, at University of...
.
Pivotal plays
After the McCoy knockout early in the game (which is a pivotal play in its own right), the two most pivotal plays of the game came at the ends of the halves. With only 15 seconds to go until halftime and Alabama leading 17–6, Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert tossed a shovel pass into a crowd of Texas and Alabama linemen which bounced off the hands of Texas running back DJ Monroe. Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus, the same player who had knocked McCoy out of the game, gathered it in and powered 28 yards for a touchdown to give Alabama a 24-6 lead at halftime.The other pivotal play was late in the 4th quarter. Texas had closed the Alabama lead to 24-21 on the strength of two touchdown passes caught by Senior WR Jordan Shipley and a #2 ranked defense that had held Alabama scoreless in the second half, and had just taken possession deep in their own end with 3:04 left to play. Alabama defender Eryk Anders made his team's first sack, tackling Gilbert hard enough to force a fumble, which was recovered by Courtney Upshaw
Courtney Upshaw
Courtney Upshaw is an American football linebacker for the University of Alabama. Upshaw is considered one of the best pass-rushing outside linebackers of his class and a potential first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft....
at the Texas 3-yard line. On the following drive, with 2:01 to go in the 4th quarter, Alabama's Mark Ingram scored a touchdown to extend the Crimson Tide's lead to 31–21.
After the ensuing kickoff, Texas' QB showed his inexperience against a great Alabama defense. On the second play of that drive, DB Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
of The Crimson Tide grabbed his 6th interception of the season, electing to "down" the ball rather than return it. Alabama's true freshman running back, Trent Richardson
Trent Richardson
Trent Richardson is an American football running back. He is in his junior year at the University of Alabama. As a true freshman with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2009 he helped lead the Tide to an undefeated 14-0 season including a victory in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.-High school...
, gained 27 yards in 3 plays to score, building Alabama's lead to 37-21 with 47 seconds to play.
Texas' final drive also ended with an interception which bounced off of several players before ending up in the grasp of Alabama reserve defensive back Tyrone King, a senior who saw little playing time in his career. Alabama QB Greg McElroy
Greg McElroy
Gregory McElroy, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama....
would take a knee to drain the last 0:36 off the clock, handing Alabama its first BCS championship, 8th national title since 1960, and first ever win over Texas.
Coming into the game, Texas had the top rated rushing defense in college football. However, Alabama's Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner Mark Ingram
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
rushed 22 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns, while back-up running back True Freshman Trent Richardson
Trent Richardson
Trent Richardson is an American football running back. He is in his junior year at the University of Alabama. As a true freshman with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2009 he helped lead the Tide to an undefeated 14-0 season including a victory in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.-High school...
contributed an additional 109 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy was 6-for-11 for 58 yards and no touchdowns, taking five sacks in the process. Texas' freshman quarterback, Garrett Gilbert, passed for 186 yards and two touchdowns, but also lost a fumble and tossed four interceptions, two of which bounced off Texas receivers.
Scoring summary
! rowspan=2|Scoring information !! colspan=2|Score>
| 9:11 >
Hunter Lawrence
Hunter Lawrence Tried out for the job of placekicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at the University of Texas at Austin.-High school career:...
18–yard field goal
! 3 !! 0
! 6 !! 0
| 14:18 >
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
2–yard run, Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
kick good
! 6 !! 7
Trent Richardson
Trent Richardson is an American football running back. He is in his junior year at the University of Alabama. As a true freshman with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2009 he helped lead the Tide to an undefeated 14-0 season including a victory in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.-High school...
49–yard run, Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
kick good
! 6 !! 14
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
26–yard field goal
! 6 !! 17
Marcell Dareus
-Buffalo Bills:Dareus was selected with the 3rd overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills on April 28, 2011. On April 29, the day after the first round, the Bills announced that Dareus would wear jersey number 99. On July, 29, 2011, Dareus signed a 4 year deal with the Bills worth...
28–yard interception return, Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
kick good
! 6 !! 24
| 1:31 >
Jordan Shipley
Jordan Shipley is an American football player who currently plays wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League . He was drafted by Cincinnati in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
44–yard reception from Garrett Gilbert
Garrett Gilbert
Garrett Gilbert is a current quarterback for the SMU Mustangs college football team. Gilbert was regarded as one of the best high school quarterbacks of his class and was named the 2008 Offensive Player of the Year by USA Today....
, Hunter Lawrence kick good
! 13 !! 24
| 6:15 >
! 21 !! 24
Mark Ingram, Jr.
Mark Ingram, Jr. is a running back for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is the son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, Sr....
1–yard run, Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
kick good
! 21 !! 31
Trent Richardson
Trent Richardson is an American football running back. He is in his junior year at the University of Alabama. As a true freshman with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2009 he helped lead the Tide to an undefeated 14-0 season including a victory in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.-High school...
2–yard run, Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
kick no good
! 21 !! 37
! 21 !! 37>
Statistics
| Statistics | Texas | Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 15 | 16 |
| Rushes-yards (net) | 28-81 | 51-205 |
| Passing yards (net) | 195 | 58 |
| Passes, Att-Comp-Int | 42-17-4 | 12-6-1 |
| Total offense, plays - yards | 70-276 | 63-263 |
| Time of Possession | 26:21 | 33:39 |