Michigan Tops Alabama 19-13 in ReliaQuest Bowl to Close Strong under Sherrone Moore

TAMPA, Fla. — A year after capturing the national championship, Michigan finished its first season under head coach Sherrone Moore with a resounding victory, defeating Alabama 19-13 in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Tuesday. The win not only capped a strong end to the season but also set the tone for a promising future under Moore, who took over the Wolverines after Jim Harbaugh departed for the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers.

Moore, who stepped into big shoes following Harbaugh’s departure, praised his team for their resilience and collective effort throughout the game. “We’ve got a great culture and great kids,” Moore said after the win. “No one person wins a game... no two people. It’s always going to be a team sport.”

Dominant Defense Shines in Victory

Michigan’s defense was the standout of the night, consistently applying pressure on Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. The Wolverines sacked Milroe five times and forced three turnovers in a relentless display that frustrated the Crimson Tide all night long. The defensive performance set the tone early, as Milroe struggled to find rhythm after a rocky start, throwing an interception and losing two fumbles within the first four possessions.

The Wolverines capitalized on Milroe’s mistakes, converting them into 16 points in the first half. The first came via a touchdown pass from Michigan quarterback Davis Warren to Fredrick Moore. Warren, who finished 9-of-12 for 73 yards, connected with Moore on a crisp throw in the first quarter. Later, kicker Dominic Zvada nailed three field goals from 45, 30, and 21 yards to extend Michigan’s lead to 16-0 at halftime.

Despite the strong start, the Wolverines' defense had to hold on through a competitive second half as Alabama mounted a comeback.

Offensive Efficiency and Key Contributions

On offense, Michigan was led by ReliaQuest Bowl MVP Jordan Marshall, who rushed for 100 yards on 23 carries. Marshall’s efforts helped the Wolverines control the clock and dominate time of possession, ensuring Alabama's offense remained sidelined for long stretches. The run game proved pivotal in Michigan's success, and Marshall’s hard-nosed running was a bright spot in a game that saw both teams struggle to find offensive consistency.

Michigan’s defense also benefitted from steady play in the secondary and key stops at crucial moments. After Alabama trimmed Michigan’s lead to 16-10 with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Milroe to Robbie Ouzts and a 51-yard field goal from Graham Nicholson, the Wolverines responded with a 37-yard field goal from Zvada to make it a two-score game again, 19-10, with just over 7 minutes remaining.

Milroe Struggles but Keeps Alabama in the Game

Alabama’s season, which ended with a second consecutive loss to Michigan, was defined by inconsistency. Milroe’s first-half struggles, which included two fumbles and an interception, put the Crimson Tide in an early hole that they never fully recovered from. Though Milroe showed flashes of brilliance, including a 41-yard run and a 40-yard completion to Germie Bernard in the second quarter, his early mistakes set a tone the Tide couldn’t shake.

Milroe finished the game with 192 yards passing, one touchdown, and an interception. His inability to capitalize on Michigan’s offensive mistakes, coupled with the persistent pressure from the Wolverines’ defense, ultimately sealed Alabama’s fate.

Despite his struggles, Milroe did manage to keep Alabama in the game. After the Wolverines’ 19-10 lead, Milroe led the Crimson Tide on a drive that ended in a 51-yard field goal by Nicholson, pulling Alabama within one score at 19-13 with just over 4 minutes remaining. Alabama had a chance to tie or win the game, but after a defensive stand from Michigan, they turned the ball over on downs at the Wolverines’ 15-yard line with less than a minute to play.

Looking Ahead

For Michigan, the win caps a strong finish to a season that began with ups and downs, but ended with a three-game win streak, including back-to-back victories over rivals Ohio State and Alabama. With Moore at the helm, the Wolverines have shown they can overcome adversity and compete at a high level. Marshall's leadership, along with a dominant defense, bodes well for Michigan's future as they build on this momentum.

“We were 5-5 and then we won some games, but it’s not the standard,” Marshall said after the game. “We’re going to be better than this next year.”

As for Alabama, the loss signals the end of a 16-season streak of double-digit wins, a streak that was inherited by new head coach Kalen DeBoer after Nick Saban’s retirement. Despite the disappointing finish, DeBoer remains optimistic. “Every time you’re in the locker room and you have something like this, it’s disappointing. But I think there’s a lot of things that you take from it,” DeBoer said. “So to me, it’s a success if we move forward and we take advantage of the lessons (learned this season), even though we don’t want to learn those lessons sometimes, because they’re hard.”

Final Thoughts

The 19-13 victory over Alabama marked the end of a season full of change and transition for Michigan. With Sherrone Moore leading the charge, the Wolverines demonstrated the kind of depth, discipline, and resilience that will make them a serious contender in future seasons. Meanwhile, Alabama, though it may have fallen short this year, will look to regroup and learn from the lessons of a challenging campaign under new leadership.

For both teams, the future is bright, and the ReliaQuest Bowl served as an intriguing preview of what’s to come in 2025

Cameron Williams

DiSportsPhotoAgency

Senior Writer