Random BCS Championship Notes and Quotes

Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron has more BCS Championship rings (3) than games lost (2). His record as a starter is 25-2.

In the last four seasons, Alabama is 8-0 versus opponents at neutral sites with all eight wins coming against top 10 opponents.

At the half, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said (in response to a question regarding second half fixes), “Maybe Alabama doesn’t come back in the second half. It’s all Alabama.”

David Pollack of ESPN on Eddie Lacy, “He should be playing for the Steelers. Goodness gracious.”

Alabama finished atop the AP poll for the ninth time. No team has won more AP championships. Notre Dame is second with eight.

NBA star Kobe Bryant, on the argument between Barrett Jones and AJ McCarron, “We just saw why Bama will be BCS champs. @AJMcCarron and @barrettAjones not afraid to confront each other in order to win. #respect”

Alabama became the third team in the poll era (since 1936) to win three championships in four years (2009, 2011, 2012), joining Notre Dame (1946, 1947, and 1949) and Nebraska (1994, 1995, and 1997).

Alabama center Barrett Jones played with torn ligaments in his left foot, normally a season-ending injury. He said, “It was painful, but you couldn’t have pulled me off this field with a tractor.” He also sustained ligament damage in his finger during the game. He estimated that he played at 75%. He will have surgery.

At one point, Alabama had a streak of 69 unanswered points in BCS games. That streak encompassed 108 minutes and 7 seconds against Texas, LSU, and Notre Dame.

Notre Dame gave up 38 points (combined) to six teams: Wake Forest (0), #8 Oklahoma (13), #17 Stanford (13), Miami (3), #18 Michigan (6), and #10 Michigan State(3). Alabama outscored those six teams 42-38 in one game.

Alabama held Notre Dame to 38 yards rushing (1.7 yards per carry and 170 less than their average). The only team to rush for less this year against the Tide was Missouri, which had 3 yards rushing.

Notre Dame had given up only 9 first quarter points in their first 12 games. Alabama scored 14 in the first quarter and seven more in the first four seconds of the second quarter.

Only Bear Bryant has more national championships (6) than Nick Saban (4) during the poll era (since 1936).

Cecil Hurt: “Trying to decide on most memorable hit of bowl season: Clowney on Michigan RB or Musburger on AJ’s girlfriend.”

Alabama led the nation in yards from scrimmage by freshmen this season with 2,573.

Notre Dame leads the series with Alabama 5-2. Alabama has outscored the Irish 128-126 in those seven games.

Alabama is the first team in history (the poll era going back to 1936) to lead in scoring, total, and rushing defense in two consecutive years.

AJ McCarron threw 4 TD passes giving him 30 for the season which set a new school record. He also set the Alabama career record with 49. He was the first Alabama QB to throw a TD pass in a championship game since Jeff Rutledge threw one against Penn State in the Sugar Bowl following the 1978 season. Steadman Shealy (79), Jay Barker (92), Greg McElroy (09), and AJ McCarron last year all failed to throw a TD pass.

Alabama Athletic Director Mal Moore has now been a part of 10 national championships as a player, coach, and administrator.

Alabama had a balanced offense in the game: 265 yards rushing and 264 passing.

Alabama averaged 7.1 yards per carry when Notre Dame had eight or more defenders in the box. Notre Dame averaged -2 yards rushing when Alabama had seven or more defenders in the box.

Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News tweeted during the game (referencing the argument between Jones and McCarron), “Barrett Jones just delivered the hardest hit that McCarron has taken all night.”

Alabama had scoring drives of 82, 80, 97, and 86 yards. Prior to the game, the longest drive against Notre Dame this season was 75 yards.

Alabama scored a touchdown on all five of its red zone opportunities. Prior to the game, Notre dame opponents only scored eight touchdowns in 33 red zone opportunities.

Freshman Amari Cooper set a school record with 11 TD receptions in a season.