From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.
Team stats
Cincinnati
Alabama
218
Total yards
482
144
Passing yards
181
74
Rushing yards
301
4.5
Yards per pass
6.5
2.8
Yards per rush
6.4
13
First downs
27
2–12
Third downs
5–13
0–3
Fourth downs
1–1
0
Turnovers
1
6–39
Penalties
6–36
26:19
Possession
33:41
2
Sacks (by defense)
6
Efficiency
Cincinnati
Alabama
43%
Success rate
55%
−0.15
EPA per play
0.28
0.71
Explosiveness
1.02
0.33
Rushing EPA
0.29
−0.40
Passing EPA
0.28
6%
Passing-down success
30%
0.12
First-down EPA
0.19
−0.06
Second-down EPA
0.31
−0.18
Third-down EPA
0.38
13%
Havoc by its defense
24%
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 and the line, going in
Our ratings (scores only)
Alabama 57% to win. Elo’s favorite won.
The line
Alabama −13, over/under 57.5.
The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.
Before kickoff, the win chances were Alabama 82%, Cincinnati 18%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.
The money
The Cotton Bowl was put on by the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association, a nonprofit. Its IRS Form 990 for the year to April 2022, which takes in this game, reports $17.9 million in revenue, $13.9 million of it from game related income, and $14.3 million in expenses. Its best-paid, president / CEO Rick Baker, was paid $1.0 million. The largest payments it lists that year:
College Football Playoff Administration LLC
college football
$3.9 million
Cotton Bowl Foundation
advance cb fndt’s mission
$631,000
From the organization’s IRS Form 990, via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and the IRS’s e-file data. Payments are the grants it lists on Schedule I of that return. See every filing at ProPublica (EIN 75-0863843).
Every drive
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Alabama drives left to right, Cincinnati right to left.
Q1 AlabamaTouchdown, 11 plays, 75 yards
Q1 CincinnatiField goal, 13 plays, 60 yards
Q1 AlabamaField goal, 13 plays, 67 yards
Q2 CincinnatiPunt, 3 plays, 1 yard
Q2 AlabamaPunt, 3 plays, −4 yards
Q2 CincinnatiPunt, 3 plays, 6 yards
Q2 AlabamaMissed FG, 12 plays, 65 yards
Q2 CincinnatiFumble, recovered, 3 plays, 5 yards
Q2 AlabamaTouchdown, 8 plays, 94 yards
Q2 CincinnatiTurnover on downs, 6 plays, 9 yards
Q3 CincinnatiField goal, 11 plays, 56 yards
Q3 AlabamaPunt, 5 plays, 21 yards
Q3 CincinnatiPunt, 3 plays, 1 yard
Q3 AlabamaInterception, 3 plays, 4 yards
Q3 CincinnatiPunt, 3 plays, −16 yards
Q3 AlabamaTouchdown, 9 plays, 70 yards
Q4 CincinnatiTurnover on downs, 8 plays, 53 yards
Q4 AlabamaField goal, 9 plays, 49 yards
Q4 CincinnatiTurnover on downs, 7 plays, 37 yards
Q4 AlabamaEnd of game, 5 plays, 35 yards
Play by play
1st quarter3 drives, then Alabama 7, Cincinnati 3
Alabama Touchdown, 11 plays
15:00
1st & 10 at own 35
Alex Bales kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:00
1st & 10 at own 25
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 6 yds to the Alab 31
14:42
2nd & 4 at own 31
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 3 yds to the Alab 34
14:16
3rd & 1 at own 34
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 5 yds to the Alab 39 for a 1ST down
13:40
1st & 10 at own 39
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 7 yds to the Alab 46
13:05
2nd & 3 at own 46
Bryce Young run for 1 yd to the Alab 47
12:40
3rd & 2 at own 47
Jameson Williams run for 18 yds to the Cincy 35 for a 1ST down
12:26
1st & 10 at opp 35
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 9 yds to the Cincy 26
12:04
2nd & 1 at opp 26
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 7 yds to the Cincy 19 for a 1ST down
11:31
1st & 10 at opp 19
CINCINNATI Penalty, Defensive Offside (Marcus Brown) to the Cincy 14
11:11
1st & 5 at opp 14
Trey Sanders run for 4 yds to the Cincy 10
10:31
2nd & 1 at opp 10
Trey Sanders run for 2 yds to the Cincy 8 for a 1ST down
9:51
1st & goal at opp 8
Bryce Young pass complete to Slade Bolden for 8 yds for a TD, (Will Reichard KICK)Alabama 7, Cincinnati 0
Cincinnati Field goal, 13 plays
9:51
1st & 10 at own 35
Will Reichard kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
9:51
1st & 10 at own 25
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Jerome Ford for 6 yds to the Cincy 31
9:24
2nd & 4 at own 31
Jerome Ford run for 3 yds to the Cincy 34
9:01
3rd & 1 at own 34
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Michael Young Jr. for 4 yds to the Cincy 38 for a 1ST down
8:21
1st & 10 at own 38
Jerome Ford run for 9 yds to the Cincy 47
7:37
2nd & 1 at own 47
Desmond Ridder pass incomplete to Jadon Thompson
7:33
3rd & 1 at own 47
Ryan Montgomery run for 3 yds to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
6:56
1st & 10 at the 50
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Michael Young Jr. for 19 yds to the Alab 31 for a 1ST down
6:23
1st & 10 at opp 31
Desmond Ridder pass incomplete to Tyler Scott, broken up by Brian Branch
6:20
2nd & 10 at opp 31
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Tyler Scott for 22 yds to the Alab 9 for a 1ST down
5:48
1st & 0 at opp 9
Timeout ALABAMA, clock 05:48
5:48
1st & goal at opp 9
Desmond Ridder pass incomplete to Alec Pierce, broken up by Henry To’oTo’o
5:44
2nd & goal at opp 9
Desmond Ridder pass incomplete to Alec Pierce
5:40
3rd & goal at opp 9
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Leonard Taylor for a loss of 6 yards to the Alab 15
4:52
4th & goal at opp 15
Cole Smith 33 yd FG GOODAlabama 7, Cincinnati 3
Alabama Field goal, 13 plays
4:52
4th & 16 at own 35
Alex Bales kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
4:52
1st & 10 at own 25
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 1 yd to the Alab 26
4:17
2nd & 9 at own 26
Bryce Young pass incomplete
4:12
3rd & 9 at own 26
CINCINNATI Penalty, Defensive Offside (Myjai Sanders) to the Alab 31
4:12
3rd & 4 at own 31
Bryce Young pass complete to Slade Bolden for 16 yds to the Alab 47 for a 1ST down
3:55
1st & 10 at own 47
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 16 yds to the Cincy 37 for a 1ST down
3:26
1st & 10 at opp 37
Bryce Young pass incomplete to Ja’Corey Brooks
3:19
2nd & 10 at opp 37
Bryce Young run for 1 yd to the Cincy 36 ALABAMA Penalty, Illegal Forward Pass (Bryce Young) to the Cincy 41
2:56
3rd & 14 at opp 41
Bryce Young pass complete to Jameson Williams for 12 yds to the Cincy 29
2:32
4th & 2 at opp 29
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 4 yds to the Cincy 25 for a 1ST down
2:06
1st & 10 at opp 25
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 15 yds to the Cincy 10 for a 1ST down
1:37
1st & goal at opp 10
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 1 yd to the Cincy 9
0:59
2nd & goal at opp 9
Bryce Young sacked by Darrian Beavers for a loss of 6 yards to the Cincy 15
0:01
3rd & goal at opp 15
Bryce Young run for 12 yds to the Cincy 3
Q2 15:00
4th & 0 at opp 3
ALABAMA Penalty, False Start (Kendall Randolph) to the Cincy 8
Q2 14:56
4th & goal at opp 8
Will Reichard 26 yd FG GOODAlabama 10, Cincinnati 3
2nd quarter7 drives, then Alabama 17, Cincinnati 3
Cincinnati Punt, 3 plays
14:56
4th & 8 at own 35
Will Reichard kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
14:56
1st & 10 at own 25
Jerome Ford run for 5 yds to the Cincy 30
14:20
2nd & 5 at own 30
Desmond Ridder sacked by DJ Dale for a loss of 9 yards to the Cincy 21
13:37
3rd & 14 at own 21
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Tyler Scott for 5 yds to the Cincy 26
12:45
4th & 9 at own 26
Mason Fletcher punt for 43 yds , JoJo Earle returns for 2 yds to the Alab 33
Alabama Punt, 3 plays
12:45
1st & 10 at own 33
Sanders, Trey rush for 8 yards to the ALABAMA41, PENALTY ALABAMA illegal formation 5 yards to the ALABAMA28, NO PLAY.
12:17
1st & 15 at own 28
Bryce Young pass incomplete to Trey Sanders
12:12
2nd & 15 at own 28
Bryce Young pass complete to Trey Sanders for 1 yd to the Alab 29
11:33
3rd & 14 at own 29
Bryce Young pass incomplete to Jameson Williams ALABAMA Penalty, Offensive Holding (Chris Owens) declined
11:17
4th & 14 at own 29
James Burnip punt for 41 yds, fair catch by Ryan Montgomery at the Cincy 30
Cincinnati Punt, 3 plays
11:17
1st & 10 at own 30
Jerome Ford run for 1 yd to the Cincy 31
10:34
2nd & 9 at own 31
Jerome Ford run for 5 yds to the Cincy 36
9:49
3rd & 4 at own 36
Desmond Ridder pass incomplete to Tre Tucker, broken up by Phidarian Mathis
9:35
4th & 4 at own 36
Mason Fletcher punt for 54 yds , Slade Bolden returns for a loss of 1 yard to the Alab 9
Alabama Missed FG, 12 plays
9:35
1st & 10 at own 9
Bryce Young pass complete to Jameson Williams for a loss of 1 yard to the Alab 8
9:13
2nd & 11 at own 8
Bryce Young pass complete to Jahleel Billingsley for 12 yds to the Alab 20 for a 1ST down
8:55
1st & 10 at own 20
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 6 yds to the Alab 26
8:30
2nd & 4 at own 26
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 13 yds to the Alab 39 for a 1ST down
8:03
1st & 10 at own 39
Trey Sanders run for 6 yds to the Alab 45
7:28
2nd & 4 at own 45
Bryce Young pass complete to Jameson Williams for 6 yds to the Cincy 49 for a 1ST down
6:55
1st & 10 at opp 49
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 9 yds to the Cincy 40
6:21
2nd & 1 at opp 40
Timeout CINCINNATI, clock 06:21
6:21
2nd & 1 at opp 40
Bryce Young pass complete to Ja’Corey Brooks for 10 yds to the Cincy 30 for a 1ST down
5:49
1st & 10 at opp 30
Bryce Young pass incomplete
5:42
2nd & 10 at opp 30
Bryce Young pass complete to Jameson Williams for 4 yds to the Cincy 26
4:57
3rd & 6 at opp 26
Bryce Young pass incomplete to Jahleel Billingsley
4:47
4th & 6 at opp 26
Will Reichard 44 yd FG MISSED
Cincinnati Fumble, recovered, 3 plays
4:47
1st & 10 at own 26
Desmond Ridder pass incomplete to Tyler Scott, broken up by Khyree Jackson
4:37
2nd & 10 at own 26
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Alec Pierce for 5 yds to the Cincy 31
3:57
3rd & 5 at own 31
Desmond Ridder pass incomplete to Michael Young Jr.
3:39
4th & 5 at own 31
Mason Fletcher punt for 48 yds , JoJo Earle returns for a loss of 9 yards to the Alab 12 JoJo Earle fumbled, recovered by Alab Jameson Williams ALABAMA Penalty, Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Jaylen Moody) to the Alab 6
Alabama Touchdown, 8 plays
3:39
1st & 10 at own 6
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 6 yds to the Alab 12
3:10
2nd & 4 at own 12
Bryce Young pass incomplete to Ja’Corey Brooks
3:04
3rd & 4 at own 12
Bryce Young pass complete to Jameson Williams for 4 yds to the Alab 16 for a 1ST down
2:54
1st & 10 at own 16
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 3 yds to the Alab 19
2:22
2nd & 7 at own 19
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 23 yds to the Alab 42 for a 1ST down
1:56
1st & 10 at own 42
Bryce Young pass complete to Ja’Corey Brooks for 14 yds to the Cincy 44 for a 1ST down
1:49
1st & 10 at opp 44
Bryce Young pass incomplete to JoJo Earle
1:36
2nd & 10 at opp 44
Bryce Young pass complete to Ja’Corey Brooks for 44 yds for a TD, (Will Reichard KICK)Alabama 17, Cincinnati 3
Cincinnati Turnover on downs, 6 plays
1:36
2nd & 10 at own 35
Will Reichard kickoff for 65 yds , Tyler Scott return for 40 yds to the Cincy 40
1:27
1st & 10 at own 40
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Michael Young Jr. for 4 yds to the Cincy 44
1:06
2nd & 6 at own 44
Desmond Ridder run for 9 yds to the Alab 47 for a 1ST down
0:52
1st & 10 at opp 47
Desmond Ridder pass incomplete to Alec Pierce
0:47
2nd & 10 at opp 47
Desmond Ridder pass incomplete to Leonard Taylor
0:42
3rd & 10 at opp 47
Desmond Ridder sacked by Dallas Turner for a loss of 4 yards to the Cincy 49
0:02
4th & 14 at own 49
Timeout CINCINNATI, clock 00:02
0:00
4th & 14 at own 49
Desmond Ridder sacked by Will Anderson Jr. for a loss of 5 yards to the Cincy 44
3rd quarter6 drives, then Alabama 17, Cincinnati 6
Cincinnati Field goal, 11 plays
15:00
1st & 10 at own 35
Will Reichard kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:00
1st & 10 at own 25
Desmond Ridder run for 9 yds to the Cincy 34
14:26
2nd & 1 at own 34
Jerome Ford run for 2 yds to the Cincy 36 for a 1ST down
14:02
1st & 10 at own 36
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Tyler Scott for 9 yds to the Cincy 45
13:24
2nd & 1 at own 45
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Tyler Scott for 7 yds to the Alab 48 for a 1ST down
12:53
1st & 10 at opp 48
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Alec Pierce for 12 yds to the Alab 36 for a 1ST down
12:23
1st & 10 at opp 36
Jerome Ford run for 9 yds to the Alab 27
11:47
2nd & 1 at opp 27
Desmond Ridder run for 3 yds to the Alab 24 for a 1ST down
11:18
1st & 10 at opp 24
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Jerome Ford for 5 yds to the Alab 19
10:48
2nd & 5 at opp 19
Jerome Ford run for no gain to the Alab 19
10:08
3rd & 5 at opp 19
Desmond Ridder pass incomplete to Michael Young Jr.
9:57
4th & 5 at opp 19
Cole Smith 37 yd FG GOODAlabama 17, Cincinnati 6
Alabama Punt, 5 plays
9:57
4th & 5 at own 35
Alex Bales kickoff for 65 yds , Jameson Williams return for 15 yds to the Alab 15
9:52
1st & 10 at own 15
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 2 yds to the Alab 17
9:31
2nd & 8 at own 17
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 17 yds to the Alab 34 for a 1ST down
9:12
1st & 10 at own 34
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 3 yds to the Alab 37
8:34
2nd & 7 at own 37
Trey Sanders run for 1 yd to the Alab 38
7:55
3rd & 6 at own 38
Bryce Young sacked by Wilson Huber for a loss of 2 yards to the Alab 36
7:03
4th & 8 at own 36
James Burnip punt for 47 yds , Ryan Montgomery returns for 12 yds to the Cincy 29
Cincinnati Punt, 3 plays
7:03
1st & 10 at own 29
Desmond Ridder pass incomplete to Tyler Scott
6:59
2nd & 10 at own 29
Jerome Ford run for 6 yds to the Cincy 35
6:18
3rd & 4 at own 35
Desmond Ridder pass incomplete to Tre Tucker, broken up by Brian Branch
6:11
4th & 4 at own 35
CINCINNATI Penalty, Delay of Game (-5 Yards) to the Cincy 30
6:03
4th & 9 at own 30
Mason Fletcher punt for 44 yds, fair catch by Slade Bolden at the Alab 26
Alabama Interception, 3 plays
6:03
1st & 10 at own 26
Bryce Young run for 6 yds to the Alab 32
5:36
2nd & 4 at own 32
Bryce Young pass complete to Ja’Corey Brooks for a loss of 2 yards to the Alab 30
4:54
3rd & 6 at own 30
Bryce Young pass intercepted Bryan Cook return for no gain to the Cincy 49
Cincinnati Punt, 3 plays
4:54
1st & 10 at own 49
Ford, Jerome rush for 1 yard to the 50 yardline, PENALTY CINCINNATI illegal shift 5 yards to the CINCINNATI44, NO PLAY.
4:36
1st & 15 at own 44
Jerome Ford run for a loss of 1 yard to the Cincy 43
3:53
2nd & 16 at own 43
Desmond Ridder pass incomplete to Leonard Taylor, broken up by Phidarian Mathis
3:48
3rd & 16 at own 43
Timeout CINCINNATI, clock 03:48
3:48
3rd & 16 at own 43
Desmond Ridder sacked by Will Anderson Jr. and Christian Harris for a loss of 10 yards to the Cincy 33
2:54
4th & 26 at own 33
Mason Fletcher punt for 37 yds , Slade Bolden returns for no gain to the Alab 30
Alabama Touchdown, 9 plays
2:54
1st & 10 at own 30
Brian Robinson Jr. run for a loss of 3 yards to the Alab 27
2:21
2nd & 13 at own 27
Young, Bryce pass complete to Bolden, Slade for 3 yards to the ALABAMA30, PENALTY ALABAMA holding (Owens, Chris) 10 yards to the ALABAMA17, NO PLAY.
1:57
2nd & 23 at own 17
Bryce Young pass complete to Slade Bolden for 7 yds to the Alab 24
1:21
3rd & 16 at own 24
Bryce Young pass complete to Jameson Williams for 20 yds to the Alab 44 for a 1ST down
1:06
1st & 10 at own 44
Trey Sanders run for 1 yd to the Alab 45
0:21
2nd & 9 at own 45
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 11 yds to the Cincy 44 for a 1ST down
Q4 15:00
1st & 10 at opp 44
Bryce Young pass incomplete to Ja’Corey Brooks
Q4 14:53
2nd & 10 at opp 44
Bryce Young pass complete to Jameson Williams for 17 yds to the Cincy 27 for a 1ST down CINCINNATI Penalty, Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Deshawn Pace) to the Cincy 13 for a 1ST down
Q4 14:37
1st & 10 at opp 13
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 9 yds to the Cincy 4
Q4 14:15
2nd & 1 at opp 4
ALABAMA Penalty, False Start (Chris Owens) to the Cincy 9
Q4 13:52
2nd & 6 at opp 9
Bryce Young pass complete to Cameron Latu for 9 yds for a TD, (Will Reichard KICK)Alabama 24, Cincinnati 6
4th quarter4 drives, then Alabama 27, Cincinnati 6
Cincinnati Turnover on downs, 8 plays
13:52
2nd & 6 at own 35
Will Reichard kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
13:52
1st & 10 at own 25
Jerome Ford run for 6 yds to the Cincy 31
13:19
2nd & 4 at own 31
Jerome Ford run for 6 yds to the Cincy 37 for a 1ST down
12:52
1st & 10 at own 37
Jerome Ford run for 6 yds to the Cincy 43
12:18
2nd & 4 at own 43
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Michael Young Jr. for 28 yds to the Alab 29 for a 1ST down
12:05
1st & 10 at opp 29
Jerome Ford run for 6 yds to the Alab 23
11:20
2nd & 4 at opp 23
Desmond Ridder pass incomplete to Tre Tucker
11:12
3rd & 4 at opp 23
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Tre Tucker for 1 yd to the Alab 22
10:27
4th & 3 at opp 22
Timeout CINCINNATI, clock 10:27
10:22
4th & 3 at opp 22
Desmond Ridder sacked by Brian Branch and Will Anderson Jr. for a loss of 4 yards to the Alab 26
Alabama Field goal, 9 plays
10:22
1st & 10 at own 26
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 19 yds to the Alab 45 for a 1ST down
9:53
1st & 10 at own 45
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 8 yds to the Cincy 47
9:27
2nd & 2 at opp 47
Brian Robinson Jr. run for 4 yds to the Cincy 43 for a 1ST down
8:55
1st & 10 at opp 43
Trey Sanders run for 8 yds to the Cincy 35
8:18
2nd & 2 at opp 35
Trey Sanders run for 8 yds to the Cincy 27 for a 1ST down
7:44
1st & 10 at opp 27
Trey Sanders run for no gain to the Cincy 27
7:12
2nd & 10 at opp 27
Trey Sanders run for 2 yds to the Cincy 25
6:31
3rd & 8 at opp 25
Bryce Young pass incomplete to Javon Baker
6:20
4th & 8 at opp 25
Will Reichard 43 yd FG GOODAlabama 27, Cincinnati 6
Cincinnati Turnover on downs, 7 plays
6:20
4th & 8 at own 35
Will Reichard kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
6:20
1st & 10 at own 25
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Tre Tucker for 11 yds to the Cincy 36 for a 1ST down
5:43
1st & 10 at own 36
CINCINNATI Penalty, False Start (Jake Renfro) to the Cincy 31
5:28
1st & 15 at own 31
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Josh Whyle for 12 yds to the Cincy 43
5:04
2nd & 3 at own 43
Jerome Ford run for 14 yds to the Alab 43 for a 1ST down
4:50
1st & 10 at opp 43
Desmond Ridder sacked by TEAM for a loss of 6 yards to the Alab 49
4:14
2nd & 16 at opp 49
Desmond Ridder pass complete to Jerome Ford for no gain to the Alab 49
3:44
3rd & 16 at opp 49
Desmond Ridder run for 11 yds to the Alab 38
3:10
4th & 5 at opp 38
Desmond Ridder pass incomplete to Leonard Taylor
Alabama End of game, 5 plays
3:10
1st & 10 at own 38
Trey Sanders run for 12 yds to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
2:27
1st & 10 at the 50
Trey Sanders run for 18 yds to the Cincy 32 for a 1ST down
1:47
1st & 10 at opp 32
Trey Sanders run for 6 yds to the Cincy 26
1:13
2nd & 4 at opp 26
Trey Sanders run for no gain to the Cincy 26
0:28
3rd & 4 at opp 26
Trey Sanders run for a loss of 1 yard to the Cincy 27
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.
PassingBryce Young17 of 28, 181 yards, 3 TD, 1 INTAlabama
RushingBrian Robinson Jr.26 carries, 204 yardsAlabama
Cincinnati
Alabama