2021 Rose Bowl
{{Short description|College Football Playoff Semifinal bowl game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox NCAA football yearly game
| game_name = Rose Bowl
| subheader = College Football Playoff Semifinal
107th Rose Bowl Game
| title_sponsor =
| title_sponsor_suffix = presented by Capital One
| image = 2021 Rose Bowl Game Logo.png
| caption =
| date_game_played = January 1
| year_game_played = 2021
| football_season = 2020
| stadium = AT&T Stadium
| city = Arlington, Texas
| visitor_school = University of Notre Dame
| visitor_name_short = Notre Dame
| visitor_nickname = Fighting Irish
| visitor_record = 10–1
| visitor_conference = ACC
| visitor_rank_AP = 4
| visitor_rank_coaches = 4
| visitor_rank_CFP = 4
| visitor_coach = Brian Kelly
| visitor_1q = 0
| visitor_2q = 7
| visitor_3q = 0
| visitor_4q = 7
| home_school = University of Alabama
| home_name_short = Alabama
| home_nickname = Crimson Tide
| home_record = 11–0
| home_conference = SEC
| home_rank_AP = 1
| home_rank_coaches = 1
| home_rank_CFP = 1
| home_coach = Nick Saban
| home_1q = 14
| home_2q = 7
| home_3q = 7
| home_4q = 3
| MVP = Offense: DeVonta Smith (WR, Alabama)
Defense: Patrick Surtain II (CB, Alabama)
| odds = Alabama by 19
| anthem =
| halftime =
| referee = John O'Neill (Big Ten){{cite web |url=https://www.footballzebras.com/2020/12/2020-21-bowl-officiating-assignments/ |title=2020-21 bowl officiating assignments |first=Ben |last=Austro |website=footballzebras.com |date=December 23, 2020 |access-date=January 2, 2021}}
| attendance = 18,373
| payout =
| us_network = ESPN and ESPN Radio
| us_announcers = ESPN: Sean McDonough (play-by-play)
Todd Blackledge (analyst)
Todd McShay and Allison Williams (sidelines)
ESPN Radio: Joe Tessitore, Andre Ware, Holly Rowe
| ratings = (18.89 million viewers){{cite web |url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2021/01/cfp-semifinal-ratings-rose-sugar-espn-viewership/ |title=CFP semis hit New Year's Day low, but top non-NFL events in year |author= |date=January 5, 2021 |website=www.sportsmediawatch.com |publisher=Sports Media Watch |access-date=January 6, 2021}}
| intl_network = ESPN Deportes
ESPN Brasil
| intl_announcers =
| navigation_2 = 1 vs. 4 Seed CFP Semifinal Game
| different_previous_2 = 2019 Peach
| different_next_2 = 2021 Cotton
}}
The 2021 Rose Bowl (branded as the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Capital One for sponsorship reasons) was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 2021, with kickoff at 3:00 p.m. CST at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The 107th playing of the Rose Bowl Game, it was one of two College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal games; it pitted two of the four teams selected by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee—Notre Dame from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and Alabama from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), with its winner facing the winner of the Sugar Bowl, Ohio State, at the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship. It was also one of the 2020–21 bowl games concluding the 2020 FBS football season.
It was the first playing of the Rose Bowl outside of Pasadena, California, since the 1942 game played at Duke University, in a move prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic in California.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
The game was originally scheduled to be played at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California. In early December 2020, it was announced that the bowl would be contested behind closed doors without fans, due to California Governor Gavin Newsom's orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in California.{{Cite web|date=December 3, 2020|title=CFP's Rose Bowl won't have fans; Fiesta, too|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30444761/no-fans-allowed-rose-bowl-fiesta-bowl-due-covid-19|access-date=December 8, 2020|website=ESPN.com|language=en}} Organizers attempted to negotiate an exemption to the health orders—which prohibit any spectators at a sporting event—in order to allow the family members of participating players to attend. However, they were denied.{{Cite web|date=December 20, 2020|title=Rose Bowl CFP semifinal moved to AT&T Stadium|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30559293/cfp-semifinal-scheduled-rose-bowl-moving-att-stadium-arlington-texas|access-date=December 20, 2020|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}
On December 15, the Los Angeles Times reported that "serious considerations" were being made to re-locate the game due to the state of the pandemic in California, with major surges in new cases,{{Cite web|date=December 15, 2020|title=ESPN could play an influential role in keeping 2021 Rose Bowl game in Pasadena|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-12-15/rose-bowl-game-move-college-football-playoffs|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}} and ICU capacity in Southern California declared to be 0% as of December 17.{{Cite web|date=December 17, 2020|title=ICU availability in Southern California at 0%, and it's going to get worse, officials warn|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-12-17/southern-california-out-of-icu-beds-amid-covid-19-surge|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}} On December 19, 2020, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association announced that the game would be relocated to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The only prior time the Rose Bowl was played outside of Pasadena was in 1942 during World War II; after large gatherings were prohibited on the west coast due to fears of a Japanese attack following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the game was re-located to Duke Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.
The Association stated that it was not immediately clear if the game would still be called the "Rose Bowl", as consent would also have to be obtained from the city of Pasadena, due to a master license agreement covering use of the name (which is co-owned by the Tournament of Roses Association and Pasadena's municipal government).{{Cite web|date=December 19, 2020|title=College Football Playoff semifinal at Rose Bowl moves to Texas|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-12-19/rose-bowl-coronavirus-relocated-college-football-playoff|access-date=December 20, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}{{cite press release |url=https://tournamentofroses.com/cfp-semifinal-at-the-rose-bowl-stadium-to-be-relocated-to-att-stadium-in-dallas-on-january-1-2021/ |title=CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Stadium to be Relocated to AT&T Stadium in Dallas on January 1, 2021 |website=tournamentofroses.com |publisher=Pasadena Tournament of Roses |date=December 19, 2020 |access-date=December 20, 2020}} A later press release from the Association referred to the game as the College Football Playoff Semifinal presented by Capital One, pending a decision on usage of the Rose Bowl name.{{cite press release|url=https://tournamentofroses.com/alabama-and-notre-dame-to-play-in-the-college-football-playoff-semifinal-presented-by-capital-one/|title=Alabama and Notre Dame to Play in the College Football Playoff Semifinal Presented by Capital One|website=tournamentofroses.com|date=December 20, 2020|access-date=December 20, 2020}}
A formal decision was scheduled to be discussed by city officials in Pasadena on December 22.{{cite news |url=https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2020/12/21/as-coronavirus-surges-gov-gavin-newsom-explains-why-pasadenas-rose-bowl-game-has-to-hit-the-road/ |url-access=limited |title=As coronavirus surges, Gov. Gavin Newsom explains why Pasadena's Rose Bowl game has to hit the road |quote=With the big game moving to Texas, city officials will meet Tuesday to decide whether to allow organizers there to use the Rose Bowl name. |website=pasadenastarnews.com |date=December 21, 2020 |access-date=December 22, 2020}} On December 30, the City of Pasadena approved use of the Rose Bowl name for the game in Arlington,{{cite news |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/sports/2020/12/30/rose-bowl-game-will-still-be-the-rose-bowl-game |title=It's Official: The Rose Bowl Game in Texas Will Still Be the Rose Bowl Game |website=spectrumnews1.com |date=December 30, 2020 |access-date=December 30, 2020}} reportedly after receiving $2 million from the Tournament of Roses “to assist the city with its expenses and lost revenue”.{{Cite web |date=December 30, 2020 |title=It's official: Pasadena will allow Rose Bowl name to be used in Texas, just this once |first=Bradley |last=Bermont |url=https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2020/12/30/its-official-pasadena-will-allow-rose-bowl-name-to-be-used-in-texas-but-just-this-once |access-date=December 30, 2020 |url-access=limited |website=pasadenastarnews.com |language=en-US}}
The game was allowed to have 16,000 fans in attendance.Dial, Stephen - [https://www.fox4news.com/sports/cfp-semifinal-moved-from-rose-bowl-to-att-stadium-in-arlington CFP semifinal moved from Rose Bowl to AT&T Stadium in Arlington] Fox 4 news KDFW Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, December 19, 2020 The University of Alabama fan ticket allotment was 3,380.[https://rolltide.com/news/2020/12/20/college-football-playoff-ticket-information College Football Playoff Ticket Information]. University of Alabama athletic department, December 20, 2020 In comparison, the 2021 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans only would be allowed 3,000 fans in the Superdome in total.Rowland, Kyle - [https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/ohio-state/2020/12/29/sugar-bowl-among-the-most-expensive-college-football-games-ever-ohio-state-clemson/stories/20201229015 Sugar Bowl among the most expensive college football games ever]. Toledo Blade, December 29, 2020.
Background
=College Football Playoff=
File:Mercedes-Benz Superdome Poydras bike.JPG, site of the Sugar Bowl]]
The four teams competing in the Playoff were chosen by the CFP selection committee, whose final rankings were released on December 4, 2022. The committee selected No. 1 Alabama from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), No. 2 Clemson from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), No. 3 Ohio State from the Big Ten Conference, and No. 4 Notre Dame, an FBS independent playing as an ACC member for the 2020 season.{{cite web |last1=McCollough |first1=J. Brady |title=College Football Playoff: Alabama vs. Notre Dame in Rose Bowl, Clemson vs. Ohio State in Sugar Bowl |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-12-20/college-football-playoff-rose-bowl-sugar-bowl |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=15 May 2025 |date=December 20, 2020}} Alabama entered the playoff with an undefeated {{Win-loss record|w=11|l=0}} record, Clemson and Notre Dame both entered 10–1, and Ohio State entered 6–0.{{cite web |last1=Staats |first1=Wayne |title=College Football Playoff: Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Notre Dame lead rankings |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2020-12-20/college-football-playoff-alabama-clemson-ohio-state-and-notre-dame-make-semifinals |website=National Collegiate Athletic Association |access-date=15 May 2025 |date=December 20, 2020}}
{{2021 College Football Playoff}}
Teams
Teams for the game were selected by the College Football Playoff selection committee and announced on December 20, 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29602021/college-football-playoff-selection-committee-moves-final-ranking-release-dec-20-dec-6 |title=College Football Playoff selection committee moves final ranking release to Dec. 20 from Dec. 6 |first=Heather |last=Dinich |website=ESPN.com |date=August 5, 2020 |access-date=December 6, 2020}} The game matched top-ranked Alabama and fourth-ranked Notre Dame. In seven prior meetings, Notre Dame held a 5–2 edge; the programs had most recently played in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game, which Alabama won by a score of 42–14.{{cite web |url=http://www.winsipedia.com/games/notre-dame/vs/alabama |title=Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Alabama Crimson Tide football series history games list |website=winsipedia.com |access-date=December 30, 2020}}
=Alabama Crimson Tide=
{{main|2020 Alabama Crimson Tide football team}}
Alabama entered the bowl with an 11–0 record, having won all 10 of their Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular season games, followed by a win over Florida in the SEC Championship Game. The Crimson Tide had last appeared in a CFP semifinal game following the 2018 season, when they defeated Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. Alabama had previously appeared in six Rose Bowl games, most recently in 1946, with a record of 4–1–1.
=Notre Dame Fighting Irish=
{{main|2020 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team}}
Notre Dame entered the bowl with a 10–1 record. The Fighting Irish, who traditionally compete in football as an independent, played the 2020 season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Notre Dame defeated nine ACC teams and one non-conference program (South Florida) during the regular season, then lost to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game. The Fighting Irish had last appeared in a CFP semifinal game following the 2018 season, when they lost to Clemson in the Cotton Bowl. The only prior appearance by Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl had been a victory over Stanford in the 1925 edition.
Game summary
{{Americanfootballbox
|titlestyle= {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Rose Bowl Game|border=2|color=white}}; text-align:center;
|state=autocollapse
|bg=#fff
|bg2=#eee
|title=College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 2021 Rose Bowl presented by Capital One
|date=January 1, 2021
|time=4:00 p.m. EST (3:00 p.m. CST)
|road=No. 4 Notre Dame
|R1=0|R2=7|R3=0|R4=7
|home=No. 1 Alabama
|H1=14|H2=7|H3=7|H4=3
|stadium= AT&T Stadium • Arlington, Texas
|attendance= 18,373
|weather=n/a (game played indoors)
|referee= John O'Neill (Big Ten)
|TV=ESPN
|TVAnnouncers=Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), Todd McShay and Allison Williams (sidelines)
|reference=[https://www.espn.com/college-football/playbyplay?gameId=401240152 ESPN game summary]
|scoring=
;First quarter
- (10:14) BAMA – DeVonta Smith 26 yard pass from Mac Jones, Will Reichard kick (Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 2:36; Alabama 7–0)
- (4:19) BAMA – Jahleel Billingsley 12 yard pass from Mac Jones, Will Reichard kick (Drive: 5 plays, 97 yards, 2:11; Alabama 14–0)
;Second quarter
- (11:16) ND – Kyren Williams 1 yard rush, Jonathan Doerer kick (Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 8:03; Alabama 14–7)
- (8:49) BAMA – DeVonta Smith 34 yard pass from Mac Jones, Will Reichard kick (Drive: 6 plays, 84 yards, 2:21; Alabama 21–7)
;Third quarter
- (4:58) BAMA – DeVonta Smith 7 yard pass from Mac Jones, Will Reichard kick (Drive: 5 play, 62 yards, 2:29; Alabama 28–7)
;Fourth quarter
- (12:45) BAMA – Will Reichard 41 yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 4:20; Alabama 31–7)
- (0:56) ND – Ian Book 1 yard rush, Jonathan Doerer kick (Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 4:36; Alabama 31–14)
}}
=Statistics=
{{AmFootballGameStatistics
| Float = left
| Visitor = Notre Dame Fighting Irish
| VisitorDisplay = ND
| Home = Alabama Crimson Tide
| HomeDisplay = BAMA
| VisFirsts = 24
| VisPlaysYds = 80–375
| VisRushing = 38–139
| VisPassYds = 236
| VisPassing = 28–42–1
| VisTOP = 33:43
| HomeFirsts = 24
| HomePlaysYds = 55–437
| HomeRushing = 25–140
| HomePassYds = 297
| HomePassing = 25–30–0
| HomeTOP = 26:17
}}
{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers
| Float = right
| Visitor = Notre Dame Fighting Irish
| VisitorDisplay = Notre Dame
| Home = Alabama Crimson Tide
| HomeDisplay = Alabama
| VisPasser = Ian Book
| VisPassStats = 27/39, 229 yards, 1 INT
| VisRusher = Kyren Williams
| VisRushStats = 16 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD
| VisReceiver = Michael Mayer
| VisReceivingStats = 7 receptions, 62 yards
| HomePasser = Mac Jones
| HomePassStats = 25/30, 297 yards, 4 TD
| HomeRusher = Najee Harris
| HomeRushStats = 15 carries, 125 yards
| HomeReceiver = DeVonta Smith
| HomeReceivingStats = 7 receptions, 130 yards, 3 TD
}}
{{clear}}
See also
- 2020 Cotton Bowl Classic, played at the same venue two days prior
References
{{reflist|30em}}
Further reading
- {{cite press release |url=https://www.cityofpasadena.net/city-manager/news-releases/statement-from-city-of-pasadena-regarding-2021-rose-bowl-game/ |title=Statement from City of Pasadena Regarding 2021 Rose Bowl Game |website=cityofpasadena.net |date=December 30, 2020 |access-date=December 30, 2020 |quote=Unprecedented is truly an understatement. That is why the City of Pasadena has agreed to allow the Tournament of Roses to relocate the official Rose Bowl Game in 2021. The Rose Bowl Game will not relocate again from Pasadena, unless it is forced to due to a national emergency.}}
External links
- {{official website|https://tournamentofroses.com/about/about-rose-bowl-game/}}
- [http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=324598 Game statistics] at statbroadcast.com
{{2020 bowl game navbox}}
{{Rose Bowl navbox}}
{{College Football Playoff navbox}}
{{Alabama Crimson Tide bowl game navbox}}
{{Notre Dame Fighting Irish bowl game navbox}}
Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football bowl games