If the Rose Bowl Game awarded most valuable player awards to both teams, there’d be a pretty close battle for who’d take it on Alabama’s roster and join Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Running back Jase McClellan, in his first game since the Iron Bowl on Nov. 25, ran for 94 yards on 14 carries, including a pair of touchdowns. But, making a good argument would be another player battling a lower-body injury, Tide punter James Burnip.

The Australian-born, three-year starter capped a strong season with seven booming punts for 352 yards (50.3 average). Michigan returners fumbled two of his tries, setting up Alabama’s first scoring possession and nearly ending it in the final seconds of regulation.

All the more impressive considering Burnip, who’s already looking ahead to next season, ate a shot from Michigan junior Kechaun Bennett on Burnip’s first attempt of the game. Burnip had just landed and his kicking leg was falling toward the ground as Bennett blasted through it. Burnip lay on the ground for a moment, writhing and holding his leg before hobbling off.

“Not really, I kinda just did the same things,” Burnip said after UA’s 27-20 overtime loss. ” … Nothing really bothered me.”

Said former referee Bill Richardson on the ESPN broadcast: “I would have liked to see the flag on that one, even though it’s not roughing. You have to allow the punting motion to be completed without hitting him.”

The play would’ve given Alabama’s offense, which struggled for portions of the game, another shot at points. However, Alabama recovered a muffed punt by Semaj Morgan, which moved the Tide toward midfield and set up the day’s first touchdown.

He saved his best kick for last, nearly forcing another Michigan safety or turnover with a booming punt high into the Pasadena, Calif., night.

Burnip averaged 47.5 yards per punt this season across 57 attempts, including 22 inside-the-20-yard-line and seven touchbacks.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].