Bowl roundup: Georgia, Alabama set up all-SEC final
— The Sports Xchange —
PASADENA, Calif. — Lorenzo Carter’s block of an Austin Seibert field-goal attempt in double-overtime set the stage for Sony Michel’s game-winning, 27-yard touchdown run, and No. 3 Georgia outlasted No. 2 Oklahoma 54-48 in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl.
Michel — the Offensive Player of the Game — rushed for 181 yards, scored three touchdowns on the ground and a fourth receiving, and gained redemption for an earlier miscue in the first overtime game in Rose Bowl history.
Georgia (13-1) will play Southeastern Conference East rival Alabama for the College Football National Championship on Jan. 8 in Atlanta.
The Bulldogs fell behind 45-38 when Oklahoma defensive back Steven Parker scooped up a Michel fumble, walked a tightrope and ran the ball 46 yards for a touchdown.
Running back Nick Chubb scored the second of his two rushing touchdowns for Georgia on a 2-yard direct snap to force overtime at 45-45. Chubb contributed 145 yards rushing to the Bulldogs’ 502 total yards of offense. Oklahoma (12-2) got 201 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Rodney Anderson.
No. 4 Alabama 24, No. 1 Clemson 6
NEW ORLEANS — Nose guard Da’Ron Payne and linebacker Mack Wilson intercepted passes on back-to-back possessions in the third quarter, keying a ferocious second-half defensive assault that produced a pair of touchdowns in a 13-second span to power No. 4 Alabama past No. 1 Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
After Payne’s interception, he caught a 1-yard touchdown pass in the right corner of the end zone from quarterback Jalen Hurts, putting Alabama up 17-6. On the first play after the kickoff, Wilson raced 18 yards untouched for a pick-six.
Even though Alabama (12-1) gained just 260 yards in total offense, Clemson (12-2) finished with only 188. Alabama sacked quarterback Kelly Bryant five times and hurried him repeatedly.
No. 10 UCF 34, No. 7 Auburn 27
ATLANTA — Central Florida completed an improbable unbeaten season in coach Scott Frost’s farewell game, striking a blow for non-Power Five Conference schools.
McKenzie Milton passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third as the 10th-ranked Knights finished 13-0 three seasons after going winless, holding on for a victory over the seventh-ranked Tigers in the 50th Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
UCF sacked Jarrett Stidham six times and had two interceptions, including an end-zone pick by Antwan Collier in the closing seconds.
Chequan Burkett had a 45-yard touchdown return of a Stidham interception with just under six minutes remaining to give UCF a two-touchdown lead after the Knights had gone ahead on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Milton to Dredrick Snelson early in the fourth quarter.
No. 14 Notre Dame 21, No. 16 LSU 17
ORLANDO, Fla. — Miles Boykin turned a one-handed sideline catch into a 55-yard touchdown pass from Ian Book with 1:28 left, and No. 14 Notre Dame pulled out a Citrus Bowl victory over No. 16 LSU.
Boykin caught three passes for 102 yards and was selected the game’s MVP.
Book replaced starter Brandon Wimbush late in the first half when the game was scoreless. Book completed 14 of 19 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns.
Notre Dame (10-3) won after being outgained and committing two turnovers, only one of which turned into LSU points. Jack Gonsoulin’s 17-yard field goal gave LSU (9-4) a 17-14 lead with 2:03 left.
South Carolina 26, Michigan 19
TAMPA, Fla. — South Carolina overcame a 16-point deficit late in the third quarter and got big plays from Jake Bentley to rally for an Outback Bowl win over Michigan.
The Gamecocks (9-4) recovered a Michigan fumble at their 4-yard line to stop one drive, then scored three consecutive touchdowns to take the lead.
Michigan had four second-half turnovers, the last when Steven Montac intercepted a pass with 1:12 remaining.
Rico Dowdle ran 17 yards for a score and Bentley threw a 21-yard pass to Bryan Edwards in a span of 94 seconds late in the third quarter to pull South Carolina within three. Then Bentley threw a 53-yard score to freshman Shi Smith for a 23-19 lead with 11:33 to play.
Michigan (8-5) lost its final three games, including two in the regular season to Top 10 opponents Wisconsin and Ohio State.
