NORMAN, Okla. — Ty Simpson handed for 232 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 9 seed Alabama rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24 on Friday night time within the first spherical of the Faculty Soccer Playoff.
“I simply couldn’t be extra pleased with these guys,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer stated. “Resiliency. It’s been sort of a theme all season lengthy, but it surely confirmed up tonight on the highway. Down 17, coming again the best way we did only one rating at a time — simply actually stayed the course.”
Alabama freshman Lotzeir Brooks, who didn’t rating a landing within the common season, scored two and had season highs of 5 catches and 79 yards.
It was the third assembly between the colleges in 13 months. Oklahoma defeated Alabama 24-3 final November at dwelling, then beat the Crimson Tide 23-21 final month on the highway.
DeBoer claimed his first playoff victory for the Crimson Tide since arriving from Washington two years in the past. Alabama (11-3) superior to play No. 1 seed Indiana and Heisman Trophy successful quarterback Fernando Mendoza in a quarterfinal sport on the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.
Oklahoma’s John Mateer handed for 307 yards and two touchdowns, however he threw a pricey interception that Alabama’s Zabien Brown returned 50 yards for a landing within the second quarter. Deion Burks had seven catches for 107 yards and a rating for the Sooners (10-3).
“It was a extremely good sport that had some actually nice moments for the Sooners,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables stated. “And clearly, some actually ill-timed moments as properly, teaching, taking part in, the issues that they’ve helped us achieve success all yr lengthy. Tonight, once we wanted it probably the most, we simply didn’t have what it takes.”
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (15) works within the pocket towards Oklahoma throughout the first half within the first spherical of an NCAA Faculty Soccer Playoff, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Norman, Okla. Credit score: AP/Nate Billings
Oklahoma’s Tate Sandell, the Lou Groza Award winner for the nation’s greatest kicker, tied an FBS single-season file for many made discipline targets of fifty or extra yards along with his eighth. He drilled a 51-yarder right into a stiff wind to provide the Sooners a 10-0 lead late within the first quarter, his twenty fourth consecutive made discipline objective.
The Sooners outgained the Crimson Tide 118 yards to 12 within the opening interval, and the domination continued into the second quarter. Mateer’s 6-yard landing cross to Isaiah Sategna pushed Oklahoma’s result in 17-0.
Alabama, which went three-and-out on its first three possessions, lastly obtained its offense going halfway by way of the second quarter when Simpson hit Brooks for a 10-yard rating to trim Oklahoma’s result in 17-7. Later within the quarter, Brown’s interception return tied the rating at 17.
Brooks caught a 30-yard landing cross from Simpson early within the third quarter to provide Alabama its first lead. The Crimson Tide took a 27-17 benefit on a 40-yard discipline objective by Conor Talty, ending a run of 27 straight factors for Alabama.
Alabama extensive receiver Lotzeir Brooks (17) makes a landing catch towards Oklahoma throughout the second half within the first spherical of an NCAA Faculty Soccer Playoff, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Norman, Okla. Credit score: AP/Alonzo Adams
“There wasn’t a doubt in my thoughts in any respect,” Simpson stated. “I imply, the blokes that we’ve, the gamers, the coaches. Like, 17 nothing, I imply, it’s nothing to us. Give us the ball, we’ll go down, do what we do.”
Burks caught a 37-yard landing cross from Mateer two performs into the fourth quarter to chop Alabama’s result in 27-24.
With Alabama up 34-24, Sandell missed from 36 yards with just below three minutes remaining to finish his streak. He missed once more from 51 yards out with just a little over a minute to play.
Not particular
Sandell’s missed discipline targets weren’t the one particular groups struggles the Sooners had.
All-SEC punter Grayson Miller dropped a snap within the second quarter, and his delayed punt was blocked by Tim Keenan III, organising the Crimson Tide deep in Oklahoma territory. Talty made a discipline objective to chop Oklahoma’s result in 17-10.
Many Males
Oklahoma obtained a short lived increase from 50 Cent.
The rapper carried out his 2003 hit “Many Males (Want Demise)” between the third and fourth quarters. The Sooners have used it as a hype track in current weeks. Two performs later, Mateer linked with Burks for a landing.
The takeaway
Alabama: The Crimson Tide performed mistake-free ball and stayed centered after struggling early. They scored the following 27 factors after falling behind 17-0.
Oklahoma: Mateer has been mistake inclined this season. He performed a comparatively clear sport, however the second-quarter interception was a backbreaker and turned the momentum.
