Postgame Notes: Michigan 19, #11 Alabama 13
12/31/2024 3:53:00 PM | Football
• Today's game marked the seventh all-time meeting between U-M and Alabama. With the win, the Wolverines improved to 4-3 all-time in the series with consecutive wins this calendar year (2023 CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl, Jan. 1, 2024).
• This marked U-M's seventh appearance in the ReliaQuest Bowl (formerly Outback Bowl, Holiday Bowl). U-M is now 4-3 in the postseason game all-time and snapped a three-game losing streak to pick up its first win in this game since 2003.
• Running back Jordan Marshall, right tackle Andrew Sprague, defensive linemen Enow Etta and Trey Pierce, and punter Hudson Hollenbeck each made their first career start in today's game, marking the 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th different players to earn their first career start during this 2024 season. Others include wide receiver Kendrick Bell, center Greg Crippen, tackle Andrew Gentry, center Dominick Giudice, tight end Marlin Klein, right tackle Evan Link, wide receivers Fredrick Moore and Peyton O'Leary, quarterback Alex Orji, quarterback Davis Warren on offense; defensive back Zeke Berry, edge TJ Guy, defensive back Jyaire Hill and edge Derrick Moore on defense.
• Alabama was held to 13 points in today's game, its second-lowest total of the year.
• U-M forced turnovers on Alabama's first four possessions: one on downs, two via fumble (first and fourth), and one interception. That sequence led to Alabama finishing the first quarter with minus-two (-2) yards of total offense (including 11 carries for -15 yards), while U-M had gained 43.
• The three turnovers forced by the U-M defense set a season high and marked the most since the Wolverines turned Iowa over three times in the 2023 Big Ten Championship Game (Dec. 2, 2023).
• The 16 points U-M scored in the first quarter are the most Alabama allowed in the opening frame across the 2024 season. Against the Tide, only Vanderbilt (23 points) scored more first-half points than U-M's 16.
• Edge rusher Derrick Moore generated a sack on Alabama's first possession and recovered a fumble on the next possession. The sack was Moore's third this season and first since Michigan State (Oct. 26). It was the second time Moore recovered a fumble in his career, and his first recovery this season.
• When Moore registered another sack midway through the second quarter, it gave him his first multi-sack game, and four total this season.
• Defensive back Wesley Walker recorded his first interception as a Wolverine and the second of his career near the five-minute mark in the first quarter.
• Edge rusher Cameron Brandt recovered a fumble on Alabama's fourth possession. It was his first career fumble recovery. Brandt later added a sack, his third of the year.
• The fumble Brandt recovered was forced by Aamir Hall, who also registered a sack and pass breakup.
• After Brandt and Walker recorded their first turnovers of the year, 11 different players have now recorded a fumble recovery or interception for U-M this season (five fumble recoveries, 12 interceptions).
• Wide receiver Fredrick Moore scored his first career touchdown on U-M's first trip to the end zone today. Moore finished with career highs in catches (three entering game) and yards (38 entering game).
• Running back Jordan Marshall set career highs across the board with 23 carries for 100 yards. He joined Kalel Mullings as U-M backs to eclipse 100 yards this season, a mark Mullings hit four times this year. It also gives U-M a 100-yard rusher in consecutive games (Mullings: 116 at Ohio State).
• Running back Benjamin Hall set career highs in carries with 16 (previous: nine) in today's game.
• Michigan's run defense entered the game as one of eight in the nation to surrender fewer than 100 rushing yards per game (92.6). Alabama was limited to 68 in the contest, including only three in the second half.
• The Wolverines held Alabama to only a fourth-quarter field goal in the second half of today's contest. Across the final four games of the season (Indiana, Northwestern, Ohio State, ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Alabama), U-M's defense permitted six points total (one field goal against Indiana, one today).
• The Wolverines averaged 2.58 sacks per game entering today's matchup and finished the game with five.
• Kicker Dominic Zvada converted 4-of-4 attempts on the day. Having entered the day 17-of-18 on the season, Zvada finishes the 2024 season 21-of-22. His 21 conversions on the season are fourth-most all-time for a single campaign.
• Punter Hudson Hollenbeck made his Wolverine debut kicking (previously had held for PATs in only game experience). Hollenbeck boomed a 69-yard punt on his fourth attempt, though it ended up as a touchback. The 69-yard punt is tied for the sixth-longest in program history.
