Notre Dame football: Irish can’t erase early deficit vs. Alabama, lose 31-14

Alabama pulls away from Notre Dame football in second half

In the second half, Notre Dame got the stop they needed, getting the ball back deep in their own territory. Unfortunately, Ian Book would throw arguably the most important interception of his collegiate career, severely underthrowing Michael Mayer, and giving the ball back to Alabama.

Up 21-7, Alabama went for the jugular, easily moving the ball down the field, and shaking off a holding penalty along the way. Like clockwork, Jones found Smith for the third time, as the two Heisman finalists put on a display that was one for the ages in Rose Bowl history.

Down 28-7, the Irish not only could not respond, but they also lost their quarterback, as Book was sacked hard by Christian Barmore. Book got up after the play, but eventually had to be removed, as he was replaced by freshman Chris Pyne.

Pyne handed the ball off and then completed a pass, but the Irish were forced to kick it back to Alabama. Book would return on the next drive, but the Irish had dug too big of a hole and despite a late rushing touchdown by Book, they would end up losing to the Tide by the score of 31-14.

The defense did play better in the second half, but the offense did absolutely nothing, and in the end, it was another Alabama throttling.