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Ty Simpson, Germie Bernard break down highlight reel catch which helped lift Alabama vs. Oklahoma

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz12/20/25NickSchultz_7

In the fourth quarter, shortly after Oklahoma scored a touchdown to get back within three points, Alabama needed a big play. Germie Bernard missed one earlier in the game, but he came through when Ty Simpson looked to him again.

Bernard made an incredible catch, going up and over the Sooners defender to get the Crimson Tide into a Goal-to-Go situation. That set the stage for Daniel Hill to run in the touchdown, which made it a 34-14 Alabama lead. It held as the final, sending the Crimson Tide to the Rose Bowl.

Bernard’s catch not only wowed viewers and made its way across social media, but it also seemed like a turning point for the Tide. After his miss earlier in the game, he said Simpson planned to go back to him. That’s why he knew he had to come through.

“I knew it was 1-on-1 coverage,” Bernard told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game. “This guy, he trusted me with the ball. Earlier in the game, I missed one and he said he was going to come back. I couldn’t let him down in that moment.”

In the second quarter of Friday’s game, Alabama found itself trailing 17-0. The Crimson Tide struggled to get much of anything going on offense, but the breakthrough started when Simpson turned to one of his up-and-coming wide receivers.

Freshman Lotzeir Brooks powered his way into the end zone with seven minutes left in the first half, putting Alabama on the board. That play finally helped the Crimson Tide offense wake up, though Simpson said it turned into a team effort in all three phases.

“Lotzeir’s such a great player, man,” Simpson said. “He steps up in such a big way. I’m so proud of him and so proud of the guys. It wasn’t just that play. It was the defense, it was the special teams. Just all-around great football and a great job by the whole team, the 2025 Alabama team.”

Germie Bernard: ‘Game wasn’t over yet’

Lotzeir Brooks’ touchdown helped spark a turnaround for the ages from Alabama, which had 12 yards at the time Oklahoma went up 17-0. But Germie Bernard’s catch seemed just as important considering Oklahoma was back within a field goal, hoping to avoid the collapse.

Once the play happened, though, Bernard knew he had to turn his focus back to the task at hand. After all, there was still plenty of game left.

“You’ve just got to have strong hands in that moment,” Bernard said. “This is what we train for. … It was a good catch, but I knew I had to get ready for the next play because the game wasn’t over yet.”

Now, Alabama is heading to the Rose Bowl after securing a first-round win over Oklahoma. The Crimson Tide will take on No. 1 seed Indiana on New Year’s Day in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal.