Blake Corum powers Michigan to College Football Playoff National Championship, says 'I'll see you in Houston'

Michigan escaped some near-catastrophic blunders to put itself in position to win the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal against Alabama, then struck when the moment was right.

Running back Blake Corum was a huge part of that, touching the ball twice in overtime and powering in for the winning score in a 27-20 decision over the Crimson Tide.

Corum was overcome with emotions after the game, crediting everyone but himself for the win.

“It was a team effort. Team effort,” Corum told ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “We’re going to do it when adversity hit. We hit some adversity today, little sloppy, but we came together as one.”

After allowing Alabama to take a late lead, Michigan fought back to even things up again, forcing overtime. The game-tying drive came with some adversity in and of itself.

The Wolverines were out near midfield with a huge gain when receiver Roman Wilson was flagged for a completely unnecessary block in the back, putting Michigan that much further away from the goal line. It didn’t matter.

Michigan’s mantra of playing for each other kicked in. Just two plays later, Wilson atoned for his miscue with a 29-yard reception to put Michigan on the doorstep.

Corum plunged in for the game-tying score one play later.

“Roman previously had a mistake and he said I promise I’m going to make a play, and that’s what Roman did,” Corum explained. “We all had faith in him, we all believed him. He was just playing hard and things happen. I love my guys. I love my guys. I don’t really know what to say right now. I’m just blessed. I want to thank God for allowing me to be here. This time last year I wasn’t here. So I just want to thank God, full circle, full 365, and I’m blessed.”

And if the semifinal underscored one thing for Michigan, it’s that the Wolverines have to keep playing for each other.

The next time out a national championship will be on the line.

“I’m my brother’s keeper. I know my brothers have my back,” Corum said. “And I told them, we score, we take this thing to overtime we’re going to win. And we came out on top. I’ll see you in Houston.”