Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Bama cruises to title game
Bo Scarbrough rushes 180 yards and 2 touchdowns
ATLANTA — Reuben Foster can sympathize with the Washington Huskies.
The Alabama linebacker had seen his fair share of Bo Scarbrough during practices, and the senior knew just what the defenders must be feeling after spending most of the day running into the 228-pound running back.
“I just knew that if he kept running down field and they kept getting headaches, I know they are going to be tired of him,” Foster said. “I was tired of him at practice.”
It’s safe to say the Huskies are tired of seeing Scarbrough after the sophomore rushed for a career high 180 yards and two touchdowns, helping No. 1 Alabama (14-0) roll past No. 4 Washington (12-2) 24-7 in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Saturday at the Georgia Dome.
The Crimson Tide move on to play in the College Football Playoff national championship game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Jan. 9.
“You’ve got to trust the plays you’re running, and you got to believe in your offensive line that
they’re going to get it done,” Scarbrough said.
His 180 yards were an Alabama bowl record and the second-most rushing yards in a semifinal behind former Ohio State great Ezekiel Elliott’s 230 yards in 2015. Scarbrough was named the game’s offensive most valuable player.
“I’m obviously really proud of our players in terms of we knew this would be a tough game,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said after improving to 10-1 at the Georgia Dome. “I think when you get to this point in the season, especially when you have this much time between games, it’s a little bit like running a marathon . ... You get at the 20-mile mark and you still feel like you’re only halfway there.”
After both teams punted to close their opening drives, Washington took its second possession and drove 48 yards down the field before Huskies quarterback Jake Browning found Dante Pettis in the back of the end zone to help Washington earn a 7-0 lead. It was the 43rd touchdown of the season for Browning, tying the Pac-12 record for most touchdown passes in a single season.
Alabama responded by leaning on its run game during the next possession, driving 78 yards on nine plays — eight of those on the ground. Scarbrough capped the drive with an impressive 18-yard touchdown run, carrying two Washington defenders with him into the end zone.
It was Scarbrough’s eighth touchdown of the season.
Washington’s offense appeared ready to strike again, driving from its own 18-yard line to near midfield. Browning connected with John Ross on a bubble screen in front of the Huskies’ sideline, but during the tackle, Alabama defensive back Anthony Averett ripped the ball out of Ross’ hands, and it was recovered by Tide AllAmerican Jonathan Allen.
“We do that drill like two days a week,” Averett said after the win. “That’s basically where I got it from. I saw the ball, he was swinging the ball around, and I put my hand in there and see if I can get lucky and dig it out.”
Five plays later, Adam Griffith connected on a 41-yard field goal to give Alabama a 10-7 lead as the second quarterback began.
Alabama, which came into the game featuring the SunSentinel .com/Sports nation’s top-ranked defense, held the Huskies scoreless and would limit them to 130 yards during the final three quarters.
Washington took over the football at its own 32-yard line with 2:16 left in the half, but on the fifth play of the drive, Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster flew into the backfield untouched and forced Browning to make an illadvised throw to his right. Tide linebacker Ryan Anderson stepped in front of the receiver to intercept the football and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown that extended the lead to 17-7.
“It totally changed the momentum of the game,” said Browning, who finished the game 20-of-38 for 150 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.
It was Alabama’s 15th non-offensive touchdown of the season and the 11th scored by the Tide defense.