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What can anybody say about Michigan now? Wolverines stars stepped up when it mattered most

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What can anybody say about Michigan now? Wolverines stars stepped up when it mattered most


PASADENA, Calif. — For every magical finish at the Rose Bowl, there is a team that wants to forget.

Michigan has been that team, haunted by failure and burdened by the past. On the other sideline was Alabama, a program that eats other teams’ dreams for breakfast. As the sun went down Monday night, a familiar pit settled into the stomachs of Michigan fans who could sense where this was all going. Michigan had outplayed Alabama for much of the night, but the Wolverines were watching their national championship dreams slip away. They needed their stars to step up and save them from a lifetime of regret.

Step up they did. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy guided Michigan on a game-saving drive, hitting Roman Wilson for the touchdown that forced overtime. Blake Corum, the running back who has dazzled everywhere but the College Football Playoff, weaved through Alabama’s defense for the go-ahead score. And Michigan’s defense stuffed Jalen Milroe on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line, releasing a deep well of emotion that was building throughout Michigan’s long, strange journey to Pasadena.

What can anybody say about Michigan now? The Wolverines are 14-0 and heading to Houston to play Washington for the national championship. They just beat Alabama, the most successful program of the CFP era, and rallied in the final minutes of regulation to do it. With a 27-20 victory in the Rose Bowl, the Wolverines conquered their CFP demons and quieted anybody who still believed their success was a product of stolen signs or unfair advantages.

“FAIR AND SQUARE AGAINST BAMA!” defensive tackle Kris Jenkins shouted, clutching a rose and sitting between the flattened goal posts in the end zone. “No more excuses! Stop trippin’, man! Talking about film, iPads? Better not be none of that today. I’ll be checking the comments.”

As Jenkins celebrated, his mother, Shay Delotch, wrapped her arms around his neck, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“You’re going to cry more than me,” Jenkins said.

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“Because I know how hard you worked for this,” she said. “It’s not just a game. I’m crying about a stupid football game because I’m so proud of you.”

Across the field, a mob of cameras surrounded McCarthy. On the back of his arm, peeking out from beneath his shoulder pads, was a tattoo that says, “Attached to nothing, connected to everything.”

McCarthy has been working on his mental game, sharpening his mind for moments just like this one. The game couldn’t have started much worse for him, with an errant throw to the sideline that was nearly intercepted. Entering the final full drive of regulation, Michigan’s offense was in a prolonged funk, having picked up only two first downs in the second half. Yet McCarthy was able to clear his head and complete three of the biggest passes of Michigan’s season: to a wide-open Corum on fourth-and-2, to Wilson for 29 yards, to Wilson again for a 4-yard touchdown.

As McCarthy finished his postgame TV interview, coach Jim Harbaugh barged into the scrum and showered his quarterback with high-fives.

“The last two years being able to watch the opposing team celebrate, it’s just different when I see the maize and blue confetti on the field,” McCarthy said. “I’m nothing without this head coach, nothing without my teammates, nothing without that defense. Everything was so amazing.”

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Auerbach: Michigan’s Rose Bowl win ‘just means more’ for Wolverines … and entire Big Ten

In the tunnel outside Michigan’s locker room, athletic director Warde Manuel relived the game with Jack Harbaugh, Jim’s father. Manuel has been in the middle of Michigan’s tumultuous season, steering Michigan’s athletic department through a pair of NCAA investigations and a public clash with the Big Ten.

Michigan stood by its coach in the face of controversy, and Harbaugh rewarded the program with a victory on college football’s biggest stage.

“He’s everything that you want in a leader of a group of young men and a staff,” Manuel said. “I love him. He’s just awesome.”

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Speaking of which, how’s that contract extension coming along?

“Hey, brother, I’m working on it,” Manuel said. “Believe me.”


Blake Corum scored Michigan’s winning TD in overtime. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

Inside the locker room, Corum was looking for his helmet, having ended up with Will Johnson’s instead. Corum’s rushing touchdown in overtime was the 56th of his Michigan career, breaking Anthony Thomas’ school record. It’s fair to say there’s never been a bigger one in Corum’s career, nor in the careers of most other players who wore a Michigan uniform.

Corum has been the backbone of three teams that won the Big Ten and appeared in the CFP. But heading into Monday’s game, his CFP stats consisted of three carries for 13 yards and a fumble against Georgia in the 2021 Orange Bowl. With one last chance at a signature moment in the CFP, Corum made it count with 83 rushing yards, a receiving touchdown and his 21-yard run in OT.

“When we scored and we forced overtime, I knew it was over,” Corum said.

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Manuel thought the same, though his head and his heart rate might have told different stories.

“My heart inside was going fast,” Manuel said. “I was trying to walk it off a little bit. I saw our strength coach and looked at him when this overtime started. I smiled, and he smiled back. We both knew this would happen.”

Strength coach Ben Herbert is a pivotal figure in Michigan’s program, credited with instilling the mental and physical toughness that helped the Wolverines go 39-3 over the past three seasons. The burly man with the bald head and the icy stare had tears streaming down his cheeks after the game. Teaching a team how to finish is part of a strength coach’s task, and Michigan’s defense answered the bell.

“The look in their eye, the anticipation they had — there was no sense of uneasiness,” Herbert said. “They had full confidence. You could tell they were looking forward to it. They were smiling. They were like, ‘Let’s go finish this thing.’ That’s what they did.”

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What happened on Alabama’s last play? Inside Michigan’s OT stop of Jalen Milroe

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On the game’s final play, everybody on Michigan’s sideline expected Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe to keep the ball. The teams called consecutive timeouts before Milroe finally took the snap and plunged into the middle of Michigan’s defense. The Wolverines collapsed the play and buried Milroe at the line of scrimmage. A delirious celebration ensued as players rushed the field to celebrate the program’s first Playoff victory.

Losing this game would have haunted Michigan even more than the previous two CFP defeats. After bitter losses to Georgia and TCU, the core of Michigan’s team returned for one more run at a national championship. The players who came back were the ones who powered through when Michigan needed it most. One week from Monday night, the Wolverines hope to do this all again in Houston.

“This is the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life,” Wilson said. “Now I’m going to one-up it.”

(Top photo: Harry How / Getty Images)





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Alabama NAACP Releases 2026 Selma Jubilee Weekend Schedule

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Alabama NAACP Releases 2026 Selma Jubilee Weekend Schedule


The Alabama State Conference of the NAACP has announced its official schedule for the 2026 NAACP-sponsored Selma Jubilee Bridge Crossing Weekend, set for March 6–8 in Montgomery and Selma.

Held under the theme “A Time for Standing,” the annual commemoration honors the Foot Soldiers of the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery marches and recognizes the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis and Rev. Jesse Jackson for their roles in advancing civil rights and voting access.

The three-day event will bring together national, state and local leaders, along with youth and college chapters, faith partners and community members for activities focused on reflection, education and civic engagement.

Scheduled events include a civic discussion titled “The New Civic Path” on March 6 at the Montgomery Interpretive Center at Alabama State University, followed by a Jubilee Gala that evening at Embassy Suites in Montgomery. On March 7, the Birmingham Metro Branch will host a bus trip to Selma, while a statewide civic engagement training will take place in Montgomery.

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SEE ALSO: Bridge Crossing Jubilee to honor Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy in Selma
SEE ALSO: 16th Street Baptist Church: Keeping a Legacy Alive 63 Years Later

On March 8, participants will take part in the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Parade, voter activation efforts, worship services at Brown Chapel AME Church and Tabernacle Baptist Church, and the traditional bridge crossing at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Organizers say the weekend will emphasize continued civic participation and community engagement across Alabama.

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March 6 — Alabama NAACP Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Gala 5:30PM Embassy Suites by Hilton, 300 Tallapoosa St, Montgomery, AL 36104

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March 7 — NAACP Birmingham Metro Branch Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Bus Trip 8AM–5PM Broad Street and Water Avenue in Selma Alabama

March 7 — Alabama State NAACP Statewide Civic Engagement Training 8–4:15PM Homewood Suites, 7800 EastChase Pkwy, Montgomery, AL 36117

March 8 — Alabama State NAACP in the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Parade 8AM–10AM Begins at 1722 Broad St and concludes at the National Voting Rights Museum

March 8 — Alabama NAACP Statewide Bridge Crossing Jubilee Bus Trip 8AM–5PM Alabama State University, Untenese and Mobile Branch and University of Alabama, Oakwood University, Broad Street and Water Avenue, Selma

March 8 — Alabama NAACP Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Participation in Worship Services 10AM–2PM Brown Chapel AME Church and Tabernacle Baptist Church, Selma

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March 8 — Alabama NAACP Youth and College Civic Engagement Voter Activation 8AM–2PM Broad Street and Water Ave, Selma

March 8 — Alabama NAACP Statewide Bridge Crossing 11:15PM – Line up Alabama NAACP Tent on Waters Ave or at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, Selma



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3 Alabama players who helped their draft stock at 2026 NFL combine

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3 Alabama players who helped their draft stock at 2026 NFL combine



Each player had a pivotal role on the Crimson Tide in 2025.

Alabama had a multitude of former players who performed at an elite level at the NFL combine this past weekend.

Former Alabama star quarterback Ty Simpson was among those who put his talents on full display in Indianapolis, as Simpson continues to emerge as a top quarterback prospect available in April’s draft.

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Numerous Crimson Tide stars on both sides of the football were able to have an excellent showing at the combine as well, with each playmaker a vital component to the Tide’s success in 2025.

Here are three Alabama players who helped their draft stock rise at the NFL combine.

Ty Simpson, Quarterback

Simpson is widely regarded as the best quarterback prospect available outside of Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. The talented redshirt junior put on an absolute show at the NFL combine, as Simpson delivered multiple perfect throws and put his talents on full display throughout Saturday’s events.

The former Alabama star is a candidate to potentially shine day one in his campaign in the NFL, as Simpson’s draft stock continues to rise prior to April.

Jam Miller, Running Back

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Miller is an extremely fast and athletic running back, despite struggling in the Tide’s backfield last season. The star running back recorded an impressive 4.43u 40-yard dash time, as Miller could very easily shine in the NFL next season with consistent playing time.

Miller was nothing short of elite throughout his entire performance at the combine in Indianapolis, as the former Tide running back continues to rise in a multitude of draft rankings around the football world.

Kadyn Proctor, Offensive Tackle

Proctor played a crucial role on Alabama’s offensive line last season. The star lineman reportedly slimmed down prior to the NFL combine, as Proctor displayed elite speed and athleticism throughout Sunday’s combine in Indianapolis.

Proctor is widely expected to be a mid-to-late first round selection in April, as the talented lineman’s efforts during the combine could quickly begin to work in Proctor’s favor during next month’s draft.

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The 2026 NFL draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania starting on April 23, as each Crimson Tide star will look to shine throughout their rookie campaign in the NFL.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.





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Husband, 19, fatally shot wife, 24, himself at Alabama hospital moments after welcoming their first child

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Husband, 19, fatally shot wife, 24, himself at Alabama hospital moments after welcoming their first child


A husband fatally shot his wife before turning the gun on himself at an Alabama hospital just moments after they welcomed their first child on Sunday.

Kynath Terry Jr., 19, gunned down 24-year-old Precious Johnson before fatally shooting himself inside the Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital around 9:30 p.m. Sunday night, WTVM 13 reported.

Johnson delivered a healthy baby just before she was murdered. It’s not immediately clear if the baby was present during the shooting, but police said that Terry and Johnson were the only ones injured.

Kynath Terry Jr., 19, shot 24-year-old Precious Johnson at an Alabama hospital after she gave birth to their child. WVTM

Terry’s mother told the outlet that the couple were having some marital issues leading up to Johnson’s due date, but nothing that made her fear her son would become violent.

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She told the outlet that Terry completed Army National Guard training before tying the knot with Johnson.

She noted that Johnson didn’t want Terry’s side of the family at the hospital for her child’s birth, but it’s unclear if anyone from the mother-to-be’s own family was there.

The hospital was plunged into a lockdown “out of an abundance of caution” while police investigated reports of a shooting. It wasn’t lifted until hours later when they determined there was “no active threat to patients, team members or the public,” the outlet reported.

The Homewood Police Department described the tragedy as “an apparent murder-suicide and is domestic in nature.”

Terry completed Army National Guard training before marrying Johnson. WVTM
The shooting sent Brookwood Baptist Medical Center into an hours-long lockdown. Google Maps

Danne Howard, the president of the Alabama Hospital Association, told the outlet that the chilling attack “was an isolated incident” unlike anything she’d encountered during her three decades working in the state.

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Howard said, in the wake of the tragedy, the Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital would undergo a security overhaul implementing “lessons learned” from a mandated after-action report.

Just three months ago, in a town six miles outside of Homewood, a beloved sports reporter was fatally shot by her husband before taking his own life. Their 3-year-old son, who was unharmed, led his grandfather to his parents’ bodies.



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