Alabama Smothering Cincinnati Halfway Through Cotton Bowl Semi-Final

Alabama received the opening kickoff and went right to work. The Tide started with a ground-and-pound attack, rushing ten consecutive times to get into a goal-to-go situation. Then it was Bryce Young capping off the 11 play 75-yard drive with an 8-yard TD pass to Slade Bolden.

Cincinnati would respond on their opening possession. They converted on consecutive 3rd downs, and Desmond Ridder connected with Tyler Scott for 22 yards to set up a 1st and goal. However, this is where the Tide defense stiffened up, and the Bearcats would have to settle for a 33-yard field goal from Cole Smith.

On the Tides’ ensuing possession, they would again methodically march down the field, wearing out the Cincy defense. This time, however, after getting down to the three-yard line, the drive stalled out, and they had to settle for a 20-yard field goal from Will Reichard. It sailed through. However, a false start on the offense would force a retry from 26-yards, which he also sailed right through the uprights.

After this, both teams seemed to settle down, exchanging three-and-outs on the following three possessions. Bama would get back rolling on their fourth possession of the game. However, a promising drive came up empty after a missed field goal from Reichard sailed wide left.

Cincinnati continued to sputter on offense, with a 3rd straight three-and-out.

Young would then add his second passing TD to the stat line with a 44-yard dime to Ja’Core Brooks, who dove in at the left pylon for the score. This made it 17-3 Alabama with 1:27 left to play in the half.

The Bearcats wouldn’t muster anything on their final possession as Ridder was sacked at midfield as time expired while looking for a hail mary to end the half.

At the end of the first half, it was all Alabama. The Tide outgained the Bearcats 302-76, with 60 of Cincy’s yards coming on their first possession. Bama wore down the defensive front, with 172 yards on the ground.

 

Written by: Adrian Beecher

Image Credit: Kim Montuoro

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