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Michigan took down Alabama in an incredible Rose Bowl matchup on Monday, punching its ticket to the national championship. After the game, defender Cam Goode said the Wolverines weren’t worried about the Crimson Tide one bit.
He also threw a shot at the officiating crew, insinuating that his team overcame two opponents in that postseason victory.
An on-field celebration took place immediately following that College Football Playoff game decision as excited players and staff enjoyed the overtime win.
Emotions poured out when the Wolverines stopped Alabama’s Jalen Milroe short of the endzone on a fourth and goal play in the extra session.
Final play. Celebration. Rose bowl delivered.
The beautiful thing is- as football fans- we get one more phenomenal football game pic.twitter.com/E6JkwMTWGS
— Jake Butt (@Jbooty88) January 2, 2024
Pure jubilation (and relief!) following a back-and-forth slugfest.
Amid the postgame festivities, defensive lineman Cam Goode was asked his thoughts on the victory. He threw shots at both his opponent and the officiating crew in his response.
“We were more shocked that Florida State didn’t make [the CFP field],” he said after the win. “We wasn’t worried about Bama. You guys saw the results.”
That might surprise viewers that watched the team’s initial reaction to seeing the Crimson Tide grab the No. 4 seed over the Seminoles. The Wolverines couldn’t have looked less excited about their future foe.
Goode continued on to say, “We beat Bama, fair and square, that’s all I’m gonna say. Fair and square, y’all seen it. We beat the referees and Bama.”
Cam Goode: “We beat Alabama FAIR and square.”
Later adds, “We were more shocked Florida State didn’t make it. We weren’t worried about Bama …” pic.twitter.com/WYcKUxtPmX
— Alejandro Avila (@AlejandroAveela) January 2, 2024
That last statement is particularly interesting as both teams seemed to think the officiating favored the other side.
Each finished relatively clean in the flag department, with Michigan having two penalties called against them to Alabama’s three. Many, however, believed a few huge misses influenced the game.
Crimson Tide fans were upset about a missed running into the kicker call, robbing them of a first down early in the game.
Michigan supporters were mad about a personal foul call that took away a first down, as well as a missed late hit on quarterback JJ McCarthy.
Personal foul called here on Michigan for taunting. #BAMAvsMICH pic.twitter.com/759eKp4tsJ
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) January 1, 2024
Cam Goode obviously believes the officiating favored Alabama, but in the end, it didn’t matter.
Michigan will now advance to the title game where it will face Washington. After losing in the first round of the CFP each of the last two seasons, the Wolverines will look to win a national championship for the first time since 1997.