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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Crimson Tide rolls over Texas, claims BCS Championship

Texas’ Colt McCoy knocked out of game on first drive

Alabama running back Mark Ingram (22) breaks a tackle by Texas defensive end Sam Acho during the third quarter of the  BCS Championship NCAA college football game in Pasadena. (AP Photo/) (Marcio Jose Sanchez / The Associated Press)
The Spokesman-Review
PASADENA, Calif. — Alabama is on top of college football again, thanks to its big-play defense and punishing ground game. The No. 1 Crimson Tide held off a rally by second-ranked Texas and beat the Longhorns 37-21 on Thursday night in the BCS title game with help from a late fumble recovery by Courtney Upshaw at the Texas 3-yard line. Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram then scored a clinching touchdown from 1 yard out with just more than two minutes left in the game. Alabama’s Marcell Dareus knocked out Texas quarterback Colt McCoy on the Longhorns’ first possession and later scored on a 28-yard interception return just before halftime. The victory makes Tide coach Nick Saban the first coach to win BCS titles at two schools — Alabama and LSU.