Alabama won its first national title since 1992 by holding off a late Texas rally in a 37-21 victory that was a little closer than the final score might suggest in the BCS title game.
Running backs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson each rushed for over 100 yards and scored two touchdowns apiece, but it was a play by defensive tackle just before halftime that was the ultimate game-winner.
Trailing 17-6 and with quarterback Colt McCoy in the locker room with an injury, Longhorns coach Mack Brown called a controversial timeout to set up what turned out to be a disastrous shovel pass.
Reserve quarterback Garrett Gilbert’s flip was deflected and corralled by the beefy Marcell Dareus, who rumbled, bumbled and stumbled into the end zone to give the Tide a three-possession lead.
OK, maybe it was a little more athletic than that.
Dareus was also responsible for knocking McCoy out of the game when he brought him down on an option keeper early in the first quarter.
