Alabama dominates Michigan State, going to title game

Published 11:41 am Friday, January 1, 2016

Calvin Ridley tries to elude several Michigan State defenders during Thursday night's Cotton Bowl. --University of Alabama

Calvin Ridley tries to elude several Michigan State defenders during Thursday night’s Cotton Bowl. –University of Alabama

By Ralph D. Russo

The Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Alabama rolled into the Cotton Bowl determined to wipe away the memories of last season’s College Football Playoff flop and it was no contest.

Email newsletter signup

Jake Coker played the game of his career, hooking up with Calvin Ridley for two touchdowns, as the second-ranked Crimson Tide aired it out to beat No. 3 Michigan State 38-0 Thursday night and advance to the national championship game.

Alabama (13-1) will face No. 1 Clemson (14-0) on Jan. 11 in Arizona looking for its fourth national title in nine seasons under coach Nick Saban.

“Just got to keep the focus we had in preparation for this game,” Coker said.

The Tide looked like a team with no weaknesses against overmatched Michigan State (12-2). Coker, the promising Florida State transfer who sat the bench most of last season, was nearly perfect. The senior completed 25 for 30 for a career-best 286 yards. The freshman Ridley was brilliant, streaking by defenders on deep throws and outfighting them on jump balls. He caught eight passes for 138 yards.

The ferocious Tide defensive front sacked Connor Cook four times and allowed the Spartans only one trip into the red zone — which ended with Cyrus Jones intercepting a pass at the goal line.

Jones added a high-stepping 57-yard punt return touchdown for the Tide, which hardly even had to use Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry.

The big tailback who has carried the Crimson Tide offense most of the season was just a role player against a Spartans defense stacked to stop him. He ran for 75 yards and scored two touchdowns. The last made it 38-0 halfway through the fourth quarter. The celebration at that point was pretty tame on the Alabama sideline.

Henry got a chest bump from a lineman and some pats on the helmet before taking a seat next to a fan to cool off.

He was done for the day as if it was a September game against one of those nonconference cupcakes.

The ‘Bama fans were having fun, though, breaking out the “S-E-C!” chant and singing along to “Sweet Home Alabama” with that familiar “Roll Tide Roll!” AT&T Stadium in North Texas — where Alabama started its season by blowing out a Big Ten team (Wisconsin) — had turned into Tuscaloosa west.

“This is a special team that I couldn’t be prouder of,” Coker said.

The only team to make to the College Football Playoff each of its first two seasons will be playing in the final for the first time.