Alabama vs Notre Dame

Path Of Least Resistance

A battle in the trenches quickly became an unfair fight. Alabama's offensive line cleared the way for the Tide to run rampant. Notre Dame had no answer. Ivan Maisel »Everything goes wrong for Irish »

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

SHINING STARLA

You could say it's a miracle there's still life in front of Starla Chapman, the little girl who AJ McCarron can't forget. Mark Schlabach »

• Low: McCarron thriving under pressure »
• Low: Tide unfazed by SEC bowl hiccups »
• Moore, Saban create something special »
• Saban admired both Bryant and Parseghian »

WHAT MAKES A DYNASTY?

College football dynasties come around about once per decade. Check out the eight dynasties that college football has seen, starting with Minnesota in the 1930s and ending with Nebraska in the 1990s. College Football Dynasties »

• Maisel: Entering the dynasty pantheon »
• Saban's legacy » Bama playing for history »

BOWL OVERVIEW

It was over when ... Officials blew a call on Alabama's punt return, ruling that Christion Jones was hit by an Irish player. Instead of an Irish fumble recovery, the Tide drove for a second TD.

Gameball goes to ... The Alabama offensive line, which paved the way for the Tide's run game and protected AJ McCarron all night. Alabama scored touchdowns on its first three drives.

Stat of the game ... Alabama drives: The longest drive against Notre Dame's defense in the regular season was 75 yards. On Monday, Alabama had drives of 82, 80, 97 and 86 yards.

Complete Bowl Overview »

Find Tickets:

Buy College Football Tickets and all other Football Tickets at StubHub!

See all tickets

RED ALERT

Against Notre Dame's defense, the red zone is where offensive drives go to die. The Fighting Irish take no prisoners. Ivan Maisel »

• Maisel: Kelly becomes an Irish man »
• Kelly adapts SEC process to Irish »
• Fortuna: Irish stick to their brand plan »
• Fortuna: Riddick flourishes in backfield »

INDIVIDUAL GAME LEADERS

Notre Dame Passing
NAMECMP%YDSTDINT
E. Golson58.327011
Notre Dame Rushing
NAMECARYDSAVGTD
T. Riddick10373.70
C. Wood42.50
Notre Dame Receiving
NAMERECYDSAVGTD
D. Daniels611519.20
T. Jones79012.90
Alabama Passing
NAMECMP%YDSTDINT
A. McCarron71.426440
Alabama Rushing
NAMECARYDSAVGTD
E. Lacy201407.01
T. Yeldon211085.11
Alabama Receiving
NAMERECYDSAVGTD
A. Cooper610517.52
K. Norwood36622.00
ESPN/ESPN 3D
Miami, FL
Final
14
Notre Dame

Notre Dame

(12-1)

42
Alabama

Alabama

(13-1, 7-1 SEC)

Recap » Box Score » Play-By-Play »

BCS BOWL CENTRAL

BCS BLOG COVERAGE

For full coverage of the Alabama-Notre Dame matchup in the Discover BCS National Championship Game, check out the BCS blog.

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE QUICK LINKS

NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH QUICK LINKS

TEAM STAT COMPARISON

    • First Downs
    • 16
    • 28
    • Total Yards
    • 302
    • 529
    • Passing
    • 270
    • 264
    • Rushing
    • 32
    • 265
    • Penalties
    • 3-35
    • 4-40
    • 3rd Down
    • 2-8
    • 8-13
    • 4th Down
    • 0-1
    • 1-1
    • Turnovers
    • 1
    • 0
    • Posession
    • 21:47
    • 38:13

COLLEGE BOWL MANIA

Bowl season is here. It's time to put your college football knowledge to the test. Check your entry

WATCH IT ALL

Notre Dame and Bama will battle for the BCS title. See all the videos in the build up to Miami. Videos Video

ESPN COLLEGE FOOTBALL APP

Follow all the college football action all season long with the ESPN College Football app. Get big-play clips instantly and customized content around your team. Download »