Jeudy, big plays send Alabama past Michigan

No. 9 Alabama 35, No. 17 Michigan 16

ORLANDO, Fla. — Jerry Jeudy could have sat out Alabama’s bowl game and still almost certainly would have been a first-round draft pick.

He played instead — and if this was his finale, his stock likely soared.

Mac Jones threw three touchdown passes, Jeudy became the first Alabama player to top 200 receiving yards in a bowl game, and the ninth-ranked Crimson Tide topped No. 17 Michigan 35-16 on Wednesday in the Citrus Bowl.

“I’ve played football all my life,” said Jeudy, the junior who was the game’s MVP. “I couldn’t just sit out there and watch my team play . ... I love playing football, so I just came out here and competed with my brothers.”

Jones connected with Jeudy for an 85-yard score on Alabama’s first snap, and Devonta Smith and Miller Forristall added touchdown grabs in the second half for the Crimson Tide (11-2), which trailed 16-14 at the break. Najee Harris ran for 136 yards and two touchdowns for Alabama.

Jeudy finished with six catches for 204 yards. His previous career high for yards was 147 set last season against Missouri, and the Alabama bowl record had stood for more than a half-century — Ray Perkins had 178 yards against Nebraska in the 1967 Sugar Bowl.

“Certainly, he used this opportunity to showcase his ability, so it probably even enhanced his opportunities at the next level,” said Alabama coach Nick Saban, whose team outscored Michigan 21-0 after halftime. “Very, very proud of our team.”

Jones, who took over as Alabama’s starter when Tua Tagovailoa was lost for the season with an injury in November, completed 16 of 25 passes for 327 yards.

Shea Patterson completed 17 of 37 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown for Michigan (9-4), which dropped its fourth consecutive bowl game. Quinn Nordin kicked three field goals for the Wolverines, including a schoolrecord-tying 57-yarder to end the first half and give Michigan the lead.

“It was a hard-fought game,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said.

“Congratulations to Alabama. I thought both teams played extremely hard.”

The Crimson Tide had two touchdown drives of 90 seconds or less — Jeudy’s score on Alabama’s first play and a long, go-ahead touchdown grab by Smith early in the third quarter.

After the game, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa announced he would make his decision on whether to enter the NFL draft on Monday.