Alabama rallies from 17-point deficit to tie Oklahoma at halftime on pick-six

Despite a slow start, the tides appear to be shifting toward Alabama.

During the opening round of the College Football Playoff on Friday, the Crimson Tide erased a 17-0 Oklahoma lead, capping their first-half comeback with a pick-six shortly before halftime.

Alabama defensive back Zabien Brown intercepted a pass from Sooners quarterback John Mateer at the 50-yard line and took it to the house with just over a minute left in the second quarter.

Oklahoma came out hot to start the game, with Mateer running in a touchdown late in the first quarter for the game’s first score.

The Sooners then kicked a 51-yard field goal before Mateer threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III, with their defense holding Alabama to zero points until midway through the second quarter.

Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson then finally broke through for Alabama, throwing a short TD pass to Lotzeir Brooks with just under seven minutes left in the half.

Alabama scored again five minutes later after a 35-yard field goal kick.

Alabama defensive back Zabien Brown (2) celebrates his touchdown against Oklahoma during the first half in the first round of an NCAA College Football Playoff, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Norman, Okla. AP

Mateer was strong for Oklahoma in the first half, completing 16-of-24 passes with 186 yards, and Sooners receiver Deion Burks led all wideouts with 68 receiving yards on five catches.

The 21-year-old quarterback has had a roller-coaster season for Oklahoma, starting the season in the Heisman Trophy conversation, then undergoing hand surgery — and later returning from that surgery in just a month.

Ahead of Friday’s game, Mateer said he was able to reflect a lot on his season, having a mental reset before the CFP.

“It’s been a lot of self-scout,” Mateer said, per News 9. “A lot of looking at stuff we were good at, stuff that we struggled at, stuff other teams know.

“Just getting better every day.”