Sherrone Moore’s Michigan team was a two-score underdog entering Tuesday’s ReliaQuest Bowl matchup with Alabama football. The Wolverines were missing starters, while Alabama had most of its top talent and was expected to roll.

Instead, Michigan got out to an early lead and hung on, beating the Crimson Tide 19-13. Afterward, Moore praised his defensive line’s performance.

“It was outstanding,” Moore said. “You talk about one of the most explosive people in college football with Jalen Milroe, he can hurt you with his legs, he can hurt you with his arm, and I thought they did a really good job of funneling him in the pocket and making it uncomfortable for him, hitting him. I thought our D-line just did an outstanding job.

The Wolverines got out to a hot start defensively. Alabama’s first drive finished with quarterback Milroe taking a fourth down sack to turn the ball over.

Its next three featured two Milroe fumbles and an interceptions. Michigan took advantage, jumping to a 16-0 lead before the end of the first quarter.

Moore said the solid start was key to the win.

“It was awesome,” Moore said. “Again, just a lot of shout-outs to all those guys, the staff, the players. It was a team effort. So many guys made plays. I gave game balls to everybody on the team. But the defensive front started it all, and then it just permeated through everybody else, and those guys all just played phenomenal.”

Early on in the game, the weather in Tampa, Fla. was clearly affecting Alabama. The Crimson Tide slid around the field at Raymond James Stadium, while the Wolverines seemingly had less trouble.

Moore said he was happy with how his team adjusted to the inclement conditions.

“When you live in Michigan, you go through every season, so snow, rain, sleet. It can happen in one day,” Moore said. “Our guys just don’t get bothered by anything. We just keep going. So it could be rain, it could be snow, could be sleet, could be whatever it is, sunshine, could be super hot. Our guys don’t really care about the weather or the conditions. We just adjust to whatever it is, and just really proud of them.”

Michigan finished the 2024 season 8-5 after the win. Alabama ended the year 9-4, its first season with less than 10 wins since 2007.