1 of 3 | The University of Alabama Crimson Tides' players celebrate their 31-21 win over the University of Texas Longhorns in the NCAA's BCS National Championship football game in Pasadena, California on January 7, 2010. UPI/Jim Ruymen |
License Photo
PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- The Alabama Crimson Tide won the Bowl Championship Series championship with a 37-21 win over the Texas Longhorns.
Texas played nearly the entire game without star quarterback Colt McCoy, injured on the Longhorns' second possession. But perhaps more decisive was Alabama's offense ability to control play in building a first-half lead and the Crimson Tide's defense capitalizing on the Longhorns having to turn to an untested freshman -- Garrett Gilbert -- at quarterback.
Texas (12-1) was able to go up 6-0 early but Alabama's offense built a 17-6 advantage behind the running of Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. A late second-quarter interception return for a score by Marcell Dareus, whose hit on McCoy forced him from the game, was worth a 24-6 edge.
Gilbert hit Jordan Shipley twice for second-half touchdowns, getting the Longhorns within 24-21, but Ingram and Richardson had short scoring runs in the game's final 2:01 to secure the Crimson Tide's 13th national football title.
