Jesse Minter was pretty sure who was getting the ball on Alabama football’s final play of the Rose Bowl.

“We really just thought, anything under three to four (yards), ball’s going to be in Four’s hands,” Michigan’s defensive coordinator said from the Wolverine locker room after his team’s 27-20 win in the Rose Bowl. “

Minter was obviously referring to Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. On the final play of the the game and the Crimson Tide’s season, he corralled a low snap and took off up the field.

Michigan had scored on its first drive in overtime. Alabama was facing fourth-and-goal from the three-yard line.

With the season down to one play, Milroe didn’t even come close. He got swallowed up by the Wolverine defense, which will face off with either Washington or Texas in the national championship game on Jan. 8.

“He’s their best player,” Minter said of how he was so sure Milroe was getting the ball. “He’s super versatile. I thought it might be like an RPO or something where he could get on the perimeter, but we knew the ball was gonna be in his hands we wanted to be aggressive and try to go force the issue,”

Derrick Moore got credit for the tackle. He wasn’t the only Wolverine to completely overwhelm the Alabama offensive line.

Linebacker Michael Barrett described the team’s conversation during the timeout before the final play.

“Go be legendary,” Barrett said of what players were telling each other. “Why not you? Why not you?… We talk about it all the time. The defense kind of runs this team. We want that (play) to be on our back. We want that opportunity to go out there and make big plays.”

Minter agreed in terms who who he wanted on the field with the game on the line. His play call was fairly simple.

Man coverage. Sent plenty of rushers.

“We’re going to attack,” Minter said. “We’re going to attack their best player.”

Mission accomplished. Michigan will face either Washington or Texas in the national championship game.

Defensive lineman Kris Jenkins wasn’t on the field for the play, but described what it was like to watch after the game.

“A movie,” Jenkins said. “That’s something that’s going to be burned into our minds.”