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Cotton Bowl 2015, Alabama vs Michigan State: Full highlights and recap

By Jack Crosby

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) celebrates after a touchdown by running back Derrick Henry (not pictured) in the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) celebrates after a touchdown by running back Derrick Henry (not pictured) in the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Alabama Crimson Tide took on the Michigan State Spartans in the Cotton Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff. 

After the Orange Bowl was over on Thursday night, it was time for the second College Football Playoff game of the year as the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide took on the No. 3 Michigan State Spartans inside AT&T Stadium.

We quickly learned in the first quarter of this one that it would be the battle we all assumed it would be. If this was a game where people were looking for scoring, they didn’t get it in the first quarter. After watching both defenses step up in a huge way, including Michigan State doing a hell of a job keeping Derrick Henry in check, the first quarter finished with no score.

Most of the second quarter would pass without offense as well, until just under six minutes to go in the half. Following a long pass from Jake Coker to Calvin Ridley, Alabama would strike first with Derrick Henry running one in from one yard out. The Tide had the 7-0 lead at that point.

Alabama would add a field goal and go into the locker room with a 10-0 lead.

The third quarter saw Alabama move their lead to 17-0, as Calvin Ridley made one of the most ridiculous touchdown catches that you will ever see. From there, it was pretty clear to most that Michigan State was in trouble. The scoring wouldn’t stop there in this period, however, as Cyrus Jones would return a punt 57 yards to the house, and that was shortly followed up by a deep TD to Ridley off the play action, and before we all knew it Alabama was up 31-0.

When the fourth quarter hit, it was time to start punishing with the bulldozer of a Heisman winner out of the backfield. Following a long run from Kenyan Drake to set them up nicely in Michigan State territory, Derrick Henry punched one in to make it 38-0 with 7:52 to go in the game.

And this is how this one would end, and now the Tide will head off to play Clemson.

Three Stars

Jake Coker, QB, Alabama: 25-of-30 for 286 yards and two touchdowns

Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama: Eight catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns

Cyrus Jones, DB, Alabama: One interception, one punt return for TD.

Highlights

Next Game

Now Alabama will move on to face the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff final on January 11.

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