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Alabama vs. Michigan State

Saturday, January 1, 2011, Capital One Bowl

No. 15 Alabama beat No. 7 Michigan State 49–⁠7. It was their first meeting; after it, Alabama led the series 1–⁠0.

Neutral site15Alabama10–⁠3 in 2010
49
Neutral site7Michigan State11–⁠2 in 2010
7

FinalTV: ESPN, ESPN3, ESPNMAttendance 61,519Payout $4,250,000 (Wikipedia)Referee: Greg Burks (Big 12)The game on Wikipedia

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Alabama72114749
Michigan State00077

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

Alabama

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Greg McElroy13/1722010
A.J. McCarron6/65100
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Eddie Lacy586262
Mark Ingram1259214
Trent Richardson104219
Demetrius Goode103608
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Marquis Maze477137
Preston Dial455024
Julio Jones349028
Mark Ingram130030
InterceptionsIntYdsTD
Robert Lester1220

Michigan State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Kirk Cousins10/1812001
Andrew Maxwell2/64300
Keith Nichol2/55610
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Edwin Baker1214012
Le’Veon Bell41306
Larry Caper1101
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Bennie Fowler III256149
Keshawn Martin341036
Charlie Gantt240034
Brian Linthicum128028

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

AlabamaMichigan State
546Total yards171
271Passing yards287
275Rushing yards-48
11.8Yards per pass7.6
6.3Yards per rush-1.7
25First downs12
8–⁠13Third downs6–⁠16
1–⁠1Fourth downs1–⁠2
0Turnovers1
3–⁠25Penalties8–⁠45
19:42Possession16:10

Efficiency

AlabamaMichigan State
55%Success rate25%
0.22EPA per play−0.08
0.87Explosiveness1.45
−0.06Rushing EPA−0.44
0.70Passing EPA0.17
54%Passing-down success36%
0.10First-down EPA−0.43
0.07Second-down EPA−0.09
0.70Third-down EPA0.39

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Alabama 64% to win. Alabama pulled the upset. Elo’s favorite won.

Every drive

Michigan State end zoneAlabama end zoneQ1 AlabamaTouchdown run, 13 playsQ1 Michigan StateInterception, 12 playsQ1 AlabamaTouchdown run, 8 playsQ2 Michigan StatePunt, 9 playsQ2 AlabamaTouchdown run, 7 playsQ2 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ2 AlabamaTouchdown run, 3 playsQ2 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ2 AlabamaEnd of half, 3 playsQ3 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ3 AlabamaTouchdown pass, 4 playsQ3 Michigan StatePunt, 6 playsQ3 AlabamaPunt, 4 playsQ3 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ3 AlabamaTouchdown run, 10 playsQ3 Michigan StateTurnover on downs, 8 playsQ4 AlabamaPunt, 3 playsQ4 Michigan StatePunt, 3 playsQ4 AlabamaTouchdown run, 3 playsQ4 Michigan StateTouchdown pass, 7 playsQ4 AlabamaEnd of game, 9 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Michigan State drives left to right, Alabama right to left.
  1. Q1 AlabamaTouchdown run, 13 plays, 79 yards
  2. Q1 Michigan StateInterception, 12 plays, 55 yards
  3. Q1 AlabamaTouchdown run, 8 plays, 62 yards
  4. Q2 Michigan StatePunt, 9 plays, 43 yards
  5. Q2 AlabamaTouchdown run, 7 plays, 80 yards
  6. Q2 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 24 yards
  7. Q2 AlabamaTouchdown run, 3 plays, 44 yards
  8. Q2 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 22 yards
  9. Q2 AlabamaEnd of half, 3 plays, 9 yards
  10. Q3 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 39 yards
  11. Q3 AlabamaTouchdown pass, 4 plays, 79 yards
  12. Q3 Michigan StatePunt, 6 plays, 68 yards
  13. Q3 AlabamaPunt, 4 plays, 27 yards
  14. Q3 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 73 yards
  15. Q3 AlabamaTouchdown run, 10 plays, 58 yards
  16. Q3 Michigan StateTurnover on downs, 8 plays, 57 yards
  17. Q4 AlabamaPunt, 3 plays, 38 yards
  18. Q4 Michigan StatePunt, 3 plays, 43 yards
  19. Q4 AlabamaTouchdown run, 3 plays, 84 yards
  20. Q4 Michigan StateTouchdown pass, 7 plays, 69 yards
  21. Q4 AlabamaEnd of game, 9 plays, 74 yards

Play by play

1st quarter3 drives, then Alabama 7, Michigan State 0
Alabama Touchdown run, 13 plays
14:341st & 10 at own 21Greg McElroy pass complete to Preston Dial for 13 yards to the Alab 34 for a 1ST down.
14:201st & 10 at own 34Darius Hanks rush for 6 yards to the Alab 40.
14:162nd & 4 at own 40ALABAMA penalty 5 yard False Start accepted.
13:582nd & 9 at own 35Mark Ingram rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Alab 34.
13:283rd & 10 at own 34MICHIGAN ST penalty 15 yard Pass Interference accepted, no play.
13:101st & 10 at own 49Mark Ingram rush for 5 yards to the MchSt 46.
12:372nd & 5 at opp 46Greg McElroy pass complete to Marquis Maze for 19 yards to the MchSt 27 for a 1ST down.
12:211st & 10 at opp 27ALABAMA penalty 5 yard False Start accepted.
11:561st & 15 at opp 32Julio Jones rush for 1 yard to the MchSt 31.
11:012nd & 14 at opp 31Greg McElroy pass complete to Marquis Maze for 13 yards to the MchSt 18.
10:483rd & 1 at opp 18Greg McElroy pass complete to Michael Williams for 3 yards to the MchSt 15 for a 1ST down.
10:201st & 10 at opp 15Trent Richardson rush for 9 yards to the MchSt 6.
9:592nd & 1 at opp 6Trent Richardson rush for 3 yards to the MchSt 3 for a 1ST down.
9:321st & goal at opp 3Trent Richardson rush for 2 yards to the MchSt 1.
8:542nd & goal at opp 1Trent Richardson rush for no gain to the MchSt 1.
8:203rd & goal at opp 1Mark Ingram rush for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 6, Michigan State 0
8:20Jeremy Shelley extra point GOOD.Alabama 7, Michigan State 0
8:20Cade Foster kickoff for 51 yards returned by TyQuan Hammock for 14 yards to the MchSt 33.
Michigan State Interception, 12 plays
8:011st & 10 at own 33Edwin Baker rush for a loss of 5 yards to the MchSt 28.
7:152nd & 15 at own 28Kirk Cousins pass complete to Charlie Gantt for 6 yards to the MchSt 34.
6:373rd & 9 at own 34Kirk Cousins pass complete to Mark Dell for 14 yards to the MchSt 48 for a 1ST down.
5:571st & 10 at own 48Keshawn Martin rush for 1 yard to the MchSt 49.
5:442nd & 9 at own 49Kirk Cousins pass incomplete to Larry Caper.
5:253rd & 9 at own 49Kirk Cousins pass complete to Mark Dell for 13 yards to the Alab 38 for a 1ST down.
5:061st & 10 at opp 38Kirk Cousins rush for 4 yards to the Alab 34.
4:292nd & 6 at opp 34Edwin Baker rush for 1 yard to the Alab 33.
3:503rd & 5 at opp 33Kirk Cousins pass complete to Keith Nichol for 9 yards to the Alab 24 for a 1ST down.
3:221st & 10 at opp 24MICHIGAN ST penalty 5 yard False Start accepted.
3:031st & 15 at opp 29Kirk Cousins pass incomplete to Larry Caper.
2:582nd & 15 at opp 29Edwin Baker rush for a loss of 3 yards to the Alab 32.
2:213rd & 18 at opp 32Kirk Cousins pass intercepted by Robert Lester at the Alab 16, returned for 22 yards to the Alab 38.
Alabama Touchdown run, 8 plays
2:121st & 10 at own 38Mark Ingram rush for 1 yard to the Alab 39.
1:232nd & 9 at own 39Greg McElroy pass incomplete to Mark Ingram.
1:253rd & 9 at own 39Greg McElroy pass complete to Julio Jones for 14 yards to the MchSt 47 for a 1ST down.
1:121st & 10 at opp 47Greg McElroy pass incomplete.
1:012nd & 10 at opp 47Greg McElroy rush for 4 yards to the MchSt 43.
0:003rd & 6 at opp 43Greg McElroy pass complete to Julio Jones for 6 yards to the MchSt 37 for a 1ST down.
Q2 14:541st & 10 at opp 36Greg McElroy pass complete to Julio Jones for 28 yards to the MchSt 8 for a 1ST down.
Q2 14:331st & goal at opp 8Trent Richardson rush for 8 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 13, Michigan State 0
Q2 14:33Jeremy Shelley extra point GOOD.Alabama 14, Michigan State 0
Q2 14:33Cade Foster kickoff for 62 yards returned by Bennie Fowler for 19 yards to the MchSt 27.
2nd quarter6 drives, then Alabama 28, Michigan State 0
Michigan State Punt, 9 plays
14:221st & 10 at own 27Kirk Cousins pass incomplete to Brian Linthicum.
14:002nd & 10 at own 27Edwin Baker rush for 12 yards to the Alab 46, ALABAMA penalty 15 yard Personal Foul accepted for a 1ST down.
13:301st & 10 at opp 46Edwin Baker rush for no gain to the Alab 46.
13:002nd & 10 at opp 46Keshawn Martin rush for 11 yards to the Alab 35 for a 1ST down.
12:281st & 10 at opp 35Edwin Baker rush for no gain to the Alab 35.
11:402nd & 10 at opp 35Kirk Cousins pass complete to Brian Linthicum for 28 yards to the Alab 7 for a 1ST down.
11:111st & goal at opp 7Edwin Baker rush for no gain to the Alab 7.
10:092nd & goal at opp 7Kirk Cousins pass complete to Keith Nichol for 4 yards to the Alab 3.
10:083rd & 0 at opp 3MICHIGAN ST penalty 5 yard Substitution Infraction accepted.
9:353rd & goal at opp 8Kirk Cousins sacked by Courtney Upshaw for a loss of 7 yards, fumbled, recovered by MchSt John Stipek at the Alab 38.
9:084th & 0 at opp 38Aaron Bates punt for 38 yards for a touchback.
Alabama Touchdown run, 7 plays
9:081st & 10 at own 20MICHIGAN ST penalty 5 yard Offside Defense accepted.
9:031st & 5 at own 25Mark Ingram rush for 8 yards to the Alab 33 for a 1ST down.
8:321st & 10 at own 33Mark Ingram rush for 12 yards to the Alab 45 for a 1ST down.
8:111st & 10 at own 45Greg McElroy pass incomplete to Marquis Maze.
7:512nd & 10 at own 45Trent Richardson rush for 7 yards to the MchSt 48.
7:253rd & 3 at opp 48Greg McElroy pass complete to Preston Dial for 12 yards to the MchSt 36 for a 1ST down.
7:211st & 10 at opp 36Timeout MICHIGAN ST, clock 7:21.
7:091st & 10 at opp 36Greg McElroy pass complete to Mark Ingram for 30 yards to the MchSt 6 for a 1ST down.
6:461st & goal at opp 6Mark Ingram rush for 6 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 20, Michigan State 0
6:46Jeremy Shelley extra point GOOD.Alabama 21, Michigan State 0
6:46Cade Foster kickoff for 70 yards for a touchback.
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
6:461st & 10 at own 20MICHIGAN ST penalty 5 yard Delay of Game accepted.
6:311st & 15 at own 15Kirk Cousins pass complete to Larry Caper for 5 yards to the MchSt 20.
5:452nd & 10 at own 20Kirk Cousins sacked by Courtney Upshaw for a loss of 10 yards to the MchSt 10.
5:173rd & 20 at own 10Kirk Cousins pass incomplete to Keith Nichol, broken up by DeMarcus Milliner.
5:104th & 20 at own 10Aaron Bates punt for 34 yards, fair catch by Marquis Maze at the MchSt 44.
Alabama Touchdown run, 3 plays
4:571st & 10 at opp 44Greg McElroy pass complete to Marquis Maze for 8 yards to the MchSt 36.
4:212nd & 2 at opp 36Trent Richardson rush for 1 yard to the MchSt 35.
3:503rd & 1 at opp 35Julio Jones rush for 35 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 27, Michigan State 0
3:50Jeremy Shelley extra point GOOD.Alabama 28, Michigan State 0
3:503rd & 1 at own 30MICHIGAN ST penalty 5 yard Offside accepted.
3:50Cade Foster kickoff for 63 yards returned by Bennie Fowler for 39 yards to the MchSt 41.
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
3:291st & 10 at own 41Keshawn Martin rush for no gain to the MchSt 41.
3:052nd & 10 at own 41Edwin Baker rush for 7 yards to the MchSt 48.
3:003rd & 3 at own 48MICHIGAN ST penalty 5 yard False Start accepted.
2:323rd & 8 at own 43Kirk Cousins pass complete to Keshawn Martin for a loss of 2 yards to the MchSt 41.
1:444th & 10 at own 41Aaron Bates punt for 48 yards, returned by Marquis Maze for 1 yard to the Alab 12.
Alabama End of half, 3 plays
1:211st & 10 at own 12Mark Ingram rush for 3 yards to the Alab 15.
0:532nd & 7 at own 15Mark Ingram rush for 3 yards to the Alab 18.
0:003rd & 4 at own 18Mark Ingram rush for 3 yards to the Alab 21.
Q3 15:00Cade Foster kickoff for 65 yards returned by Bennie Fowler for 27 yards to the MchSt 32.
3rd quarter7 drives, then Alabama 42, Michigan State 0
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
14:451st & 10 at own 32Edwin Baker rush for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 31.
13:592nd & 11 at own 31Kirk Cousins pass complete to Keshawn Martin for 7 yards to the MchSt 38.
13:303rd & 4 at own 38Kirk Cousins pass incomplete to Mark Dell.
13:234th & 4 at own 38Aaron Bates punt for 41 yards, fair catch by Marquis Maze at the Alab 21.
Alabama Touchdown pass, 4 plays
13:171st & 10 at own 21Mark Ingram rush for 14 yards to the Alab 35 for a 1ST down.
12:541st & 10 at own 35Greg McElroy pass complete to Preston Dial for 24 yards to the MchSt 41 for a 1ST down.
12:181st & 10 at opp 41Mark Ingram rush for 4 yards to the MchSt 37.
12:002nd & 6 at opp 37Greg McElroy pass complete to Marquis Maze for 37 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 34, Michigan State 0
12:00Jeremy Shelley extra point GOOD.Alabama 35, Michigan State 0
12:00Jeremy Shelley kickoff for 67 yards returned by Larry Caper for 22 yards to the MchSt 25.
Michigan State Punt, 6 plays
11:411st & 10 at own 25Edwin Baker rush for a loss of 2 yards to the MchSt 23.
11:072nd & 12 at own 23Kirk Cousins pass incomplete.
10:553rd & 12 at own 23Kirk Cousins pass complete to Keshawn Martin for 36 yards to the Alab 41 for a 1ST down.
10:201st & 10 at opp 41Kirk Cousins sacked by DeQuan Menzie for a loss of 11 yards to the MchSt 48, MICHIGAN ST penalty 0 yard Intentional Grounding accepted.
9:522nd & 21 at own 48Keshawn Martin rush for a loss of 12 yards to the MchSt 36.
9:443rd & 33 at own 36Kirk Cousins pass incomplete to Mark Dell.
9:314th & 33 at own 36Aaron Bates punt for 38 yards, returned by Marquis Maze for 17 yards to the Alab 43.
Alabama Punt, 4 plays
9:151st & 10 at own 43Greg McElroy pass complete to Trent Richardson for 12 yards to the MchSt 45 for a 1ST down.
9:031st & 10 at opp 45Greg McElroy pass incomplete to Julio Jones.
8:302nd & 10 at opp 45Trent Richardson rush for 7 yards to the MchSt 38.
7:543rd & 3 at opp 38Trent Richardson rush for a loss of 1 yard to the MchSt 39.
7:334th & 4 at opp 39Cody Mandell punt for 39 yards for a touchback.
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
7:231st & 10 at own 20Edwin Baker rush for 1 yard to the MchSt 21.
6:392nd & 9 at own 21Kirk Cousins sacked by Alex Watkins for a loss of 9 yards to the MchSt 12.
6:203rd & 18 at own 12Andrew Maxwell pass incomplete to Keith Nichol.
6:094th & 18 at own 12Aaron Bates punt for 50 yards, returned by Marquis Maze for 4 yards to the Alab 42.
Alabama Touchdown run, 10 plays
5:501st & 10 at own 42A.J. McCarron pass complete to Preston Dial for 6 yards to the Alab 48.
5:202nd & 4 at own 48Trent Richardson rush for 6 yards to the MchSt 46 for a 1ST down.
5:051st & 10 at opp 46A.J. McCarron pass complete to Brad Smelley for 7 yards to the MchSt 39.
4:432nd & 3 at opp 39Demetrius Goode rush for 4 yards to the MchSt 35 for a 1ST down.
4:071st & 10 at opp 35A.J. McCarron rush for 4 yards to the MchSt 31.
3:262nd & 6 at opp 31Demetrius Goode rush for 5 yards to the MchSt 26.
2:263rd & 1 at opp 26Team rush for a loss of 1 yard, fumbled, recovered by Alab A.J. McCarron at the MchSt 27.
2:044th & 2 at opp 27Demetrius Goode rush for 8 yards to the MchSt 19 for a 1ST down.
1:311st & 10 at opp 19Demetrius Goode rush for 7 yards to the MchSt 12.
1:092nd & 3 at opp 12Eddie Lacy rush for 12 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 41, Michigan State 0
1:09Jeremy Shelley extra point GOOD.Alabama 42, Michigan State 0
1:09Jeremy Shelley kickoff for 67 yards returned by Larry Caper for 30 yards to the MchSt 33.
Michigan State Turnover on downs, 8 plays
0:551st & 10 at own 33Andrew Maxwell pass complete to Charlie Gantt for 34 yards to the Alab 33 for a 1ST down.
0:001st & 10 at opp 33Edwin Baker rush for 4 yards to the Alab 29.
Q4 14:542nd & 6 at opp 29Andrew Maxwell pass incomplete to Keshawn Martin.
Q4 14:303rd & 6 at opp 29Andrew Maxwell pass complete to Keith Nichol for 9 yards to the Alab 20 for a 1ST down.
Q4 14:181st & 10 at opp 20Andrew Maxwell pass incomplete to Charlie Gantt.
Q4 14:142nd & 10 at opp 20Andrew Maxwell pass incomplete, broken up by C.J. Mosley.
Q4 13:393rd & 10 at opp 20Team rush for a loss of 6 yards, fumbled, recovered by MchSt Andrew Maxwell at the Alab 32.
Q4 13:204th & 22 at opp 32Andrew Maxwell sacked by Marcell Dareus for a loss of 8 yards to the Alab 40.
4th quarter5 drives, then Alabama 49, Michigan State 7
Alabama Punt, 3 plays
13:101st & 10 at own 40Eddie Lacy rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Alab 39.
12:302nd & 11 at own 39A.J. McCarron pass complete to Earl Alexander for 7 yards to the Alab 46.
11:453rd & 4 at own 46A.J. McCarron pass complete to Chris Underwood for 1 yard to the Alab 47.
11:174th & 3 at own 47Cody Mandell punt for 40 yards, returned by Keshawn Martin for 15 yards to the MchSt 28.
Michigan State Punt, 3 plays
11:011st & 10 at own 28Larry Caper rush for 1 yard to the MchSt 29.
10:312nd & 9 at own 29Keith Nichol pass incomplete to Charlie Gantt.
10:253rd & 9 at own 29Keith Nichol pass incomplete to Bennie Fowler.
10:174th & 9 at own 29Aaron Bates punt for 55 yards, fair catch by Marquis Maze at the Alab 16.
Alabama Touchdown run, 3 plays
10:061st & 10 at own 16Demetrius Goode rush for 5 yards to the Alab 21.
9:232nd & 5 at own 21A.J. McCarron pass complete to Demetrius Goode for 17 yards to the Alab 38 for a 1ST down.
8:581st & 10 at own 38Eddie Lacy rush for 62 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 48, Michigan State 0
8:58Jeremy Shelley extra point GOOD.Alabama 49, Michigan State 0
8:58Jeremy Shelley kickoff for 59 yards returned by Bennie Fowler for 20 yards to the MchSt 31.
Michigan State Touchdown pass, 7 plays
8:161st & 10 at own 31Le’Veon Bell rush for 3 yards to the MchSt 34.
7:352nd & 7 at own 34Le’Veon Bell rush for 6 yards to the MchSt 40.
7:303rd & 1 at own 40Le’Veon Bell rush for 4 yards to the MchSt 44 for a 1ST down.
6:501st & 10 at own 44Keith Nichol pass complete to Bennie Fowler for 7 yards to the Alab 49.
6:272nd & 3 at opp 49Le’Veon Bell rush for no gain to the Alab 49.
5:573rd & 3 at opp 49Keith Nichol pass incomplete to Brian Linthicum.
5:454th & 3 at opp 49Keith Nichol pass complete to Bennie Fowler for 49 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 49, Michigan State 6
5:45Dan Conroy extra point GOOD.Alabama 49, Michigan State 7
5:45Kevin Muma kickoff for 70 yards for a touchback.
Alabama End of game, 9 plays
5:341st & 10 at own 20Demetrius Goode rush for 3 yards to the Alab 23.
4:512nd & 7 at own 23Demetrius Goode rush for a loss of 2 yards to the Alab 21.
4:513rd & 9 at own 21Timeout MICHIGAN ST, clock 4:51.
3:343rd & 9 at own 21A.J. McCarron pass complete to Brad Smelley for 13 yards to the Alab 34 for a 1ST down.
3:001st & 10 at own 34Demetrius Goode rush for 3 yards to the Alab 37.
2:592nd & 7 at own 37Eddie Lacy rush for 1 yard to the Alab 38.
2:383rd & 6 at own 38Eddie Lacy rush for 12 yards to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down.
2:001st & 10 at the 50Demetrius Goode rush for 2 yards to the MchSt 48.
1:152nd & 8 at opp 48Demetrius Goode rush for 1 yard to the MchSt 47.
0:003rd & 7 at opp 47Jalston Fowler rush for 3 yards to the MchSt 44.

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Alabama–Michigan State game

Alabama leads 2–⁠0 in two meetings, counting the one since this game.

Recent meetings
2015Alabama 38, Michigan State 0Cotton Bowl
2010Alabama 49, Michigan State 7Capital One Bowl

Around this game

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