Onto Number 17 and that is the classic 2014 Sugar Bowl between the 11th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners and the third-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.
The Sooners found their way into the Sugar Bowl after defeating Oklahoma State in Bedlam in the final game of the regular season. The Tide had hopes of a third straight National Championship appearance, but after losing to the Auburn Tigers, they met up with the Sooners in New Orleans.
A classic underdog story was happening before this game with the vast majority believing the Crimson Tide would beat the Sooners handily.
With interchanging quarterbacks during Oklahoma’s regular season, Trevor Knight and Blake Bell, the decision on which quarterback would start in the Sugar Bowl was never announced until everyone saw who was behind center in the first offensive drive for the Sooners, and that was Knight wearing jersey number 9.
On the first drive of the game, Alabama quite effortlessly marched down the field and scored the game’s first touchdown with a couple of big gains by Amari Cooper to set up running back TJ Yeldon for the one-yard score.
The Sooner’s offense was able to get into the Tide’s territory, but defensive back Landon Collins intercepted Knight’s pass was the first interception of the game.
Immediately after, Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron’s pass into double coverage was overthrown into the hands of safety Gabe Lynn for the Sooners’ first interception of the game giving possession back to the Oklahoma offense.
Knight connected with Lacoltan Bester for the 45-yard touchdown strike tying the game at 7-7.
Alabama got the lead back with a 27-yard field goal by their placekicker Cade Foster making it 10-7.
Oklahoma captured their first lead of the game when Knight found receiver Jalen Saunders beating Ha Ha Clinton Dix on an out route for the eight-yard touchdown. They lead 14-10.
The Crimson regained the lead quickly following a deep shot from McCarron to receiver Deandrew white for a 67-yard touchdown making it 17-14.
A 47-yard field goal was made by Oklahoma placekicker Michael Hunnicut to knot things up at 17-17.
On the next drive, Alabama’s offensive reached the red zone but Yeldon coughed up the football and it was scooped up by Sooners defensive lineman Geneo Grissom.
Following the Sooners converting a huge momentum swing fourth down, Knight found Saunders over the top on the right side of the endzone for a 43-yard touchdown giving the Crimson and Cream a 24-17. “That is pretty,” Brad Nessler’s (Main commentator) instant reaction after viewing the play.
With Sooners defensive back Kass Everett blitzed from the blind side forcing a quick throw by McCarron allowing Sooners cornerback Zack Sanchez to jump in front of Cooper (the intended target) and intercept the pass and return it to the 15-yard line.
After the Int by Sanchez, Oklahoma used some misdirection which caused receiver Sterling Shepard to find his way into the endzone for the 13-yard touchdown run giving the Sooners a two-score lead 31-17 going into halftime.
Midway through the third quarter, the reigning back-to-back National champions roared back with a Derrick Henry 43-yard rushing touchdown cutting the score to 31-24.
Beginning of the fourth quarter, Knight scrambled to his right and found Shepard for the nine-yard touchdown giving the Sooners a 38-24 lead.
Next drive for the Tide, McCarron dumped the ball off to Henry who maneuvered his way down the field 61 yards for a touchdown slicing the score to 38-31 with Sooners still leading.
The Sooners were forced to punt giving the Tide possession at their 18-yard line with just under a minute to go. 82 yards to go for Alabama to score and force overtime.
Oklahoma’s edge rusher Eric Striker wasn’t going to allow that to happen by beating Alabama’s left tackle on the rush, knocking the football out of McCarron’s hand from behind, causing the scoop and scoring by Grissom, and giving the Sooners the dagger and the 45-31 victory over the favorited Alabama Crimson Tide.
Trevor Knight ended the game with 348 passing yards, and four touchdown passes, and was awarded Sugar Bowl MVP.
By: Joey Ross
