Top-Ranked Alabama Prevails Over Texas In National Title Tilt

Crimson Tide Roll: Top-Ranked Alabama Prevails Over Texas In National Title Tilt Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram rushed for a pair of touchdowns, including a key touchdown from the one-yard line in the final two minutes, as the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide toppled Texas 37-21 Thursday in the Citi BCS National Championship Game. Alabama (14-0) earned their 13th national championship and their first since 1992. Longhorns star quarterback and Heisman finalist Colt McCoy was forced to leave the game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury. McCoy, the NCAA all-time leader in career wins, got hit by defensive lineman Marcell Dareus at the Alabama 11-yard line. Despite the exit of McCoy, the Longhorns led 6-0 after the first period. Dareus later returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown in the waning seconds of the first half as the Crimson Tide rolled to 24-6 advantage after 30 minutes of action. Texas backup signal-caller freshman Garrett Gilbert tried to fill in the shoes of the senior All-American McCoy, but struggled in the first half. Gilbert, the son of former NFL quarterback Gale Gilbert, steadied himself and threw two fourth quarter TD passes to Jordan Shipley, the last a 28-yard connection that drew Texas within 24-19. His two-point conversion pass to Dan Buckner pushed the No. 2 Longhorns closer, 24-21. But that was the last time Texas would score, as Gilbert lost a fumble and threw two interceptions in the final six minutes. Greg McElroy completed 6-of-11 for 58 yards, as Alabama gave the SEC its fourth consecutive national champion.