Quarterback AJ McCarron of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates his team's win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Monday, January 7. Alabama defeated Notre Dame 42-14 in the 2013 BCS National Championship game at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. View the best photos from the college football bowl games.
(CNN) -- Alabama rode the tide of a commanding halftime lead to beat Notre Dame 42 to 14 to win the BCS National Championship game at Miami Gardens, Florida.
The No. 2 Crimson Tide scored on drives of 82, 61 and 80 yards against the top-ranked and undefeated Irish in its first three drives of the game. They added a 71-yard scoring drive with 31 seconds left in the half to take a dominating 28-0 lead.
By that time, despite the fact that the half of the game was yet to be played, many commenters on Twitter were jokingly wondering if Notre Dame would come out of the locker room for the second half.
The Irish did, but it did not get much better for them.
In fact, one of the biggest hits of the game on Alabama's quarterback A.J. McCarron came from his own teammate Barrett Jones.
The two teammates disagreed on a play call and had to call a timeout to get it cleared up. McCarron got in his lineman's face and Jones pushed him some three yards back, a feat that Notre Dame could never do throughout the game.
Notre Dame also couldn't stop Alabama's running game. Crimson Tide runners Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon both ran for more than 100 yards.
Alabama has now won three national titles in the last four years, which had some calling them a dynasty.
"You can call us whatever you want but this was a total team effort," McCarron said after the game.
Alabama coach Nick Saban did not shy away from the D- word.
Saban said it was the team's work ethic that has brought so many victories.
"Because we have a great team we have been able to have a significant amount of success," Saban said.
The last team to win three national championships in four years was Nebraska in 1994, 1995, and 1997. The '97 championship was split with Michigan.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly said his team will learn from the loss.
"We are not there yet," Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. "Alabama showed us that in the way they played the game. We got a lot of work left to do to get back here."
Bleacher Report coverage of the national title game
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Crimson Tide cheerleaders celebrate on the field after the game.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban celebrates with the trophy after defeating Notre Dame. His team won its second consecutive BCS title and third in four seasons.
Alabama's AJ McCarron acknowledges the crowd during the game on Monday.
Alabama running back Eddie Lacy carries the ball against Notre Dame.
Alabama fans cheer as Notre Dame's offense lines up late in the game on Monday.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban shouts to his players during the game against Notre Dame.
Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson runs with the ball Monday night.
Notre Dame's Everett Golson dives for a touchdown in the third quarter against Alabama.
A Notre Dame fan watches the second half of the game against Alabama.
Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson throws a pass against Alabama.
Alabama's Amari Cooper scores a touchdown in the third quarter against Notre Dame.
Notre Dame head coach Jim Kelly watches the game from the sidelines.
Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix of Alabama intercepts a pass intended for Notre Dame's DaVaris Daniels in the third quarter.
Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o tries to make a play against Alabama.
Zeke Motta of Notre Dame tackles Alabama's Amari Cooper.
Alabama running back Eddie Lacy carries the ball during Monday's game against Notre Dame.
Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson drops back to pass against Alabama.
Notre Dame's Manti Te'o, center, and his teammates walk off the field at halftime. Alabama led 28-0 at the half.
Landon Collins of the Alabama Crimson Tide, left, and Jeoffrey Pagan celebrate after pinning the Notre Dame Fighting Irish deep in their own territory.
Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson, sits under center during Monday night's game against Alabama.
Davonte Neal of Notre Dame, left, fights Landon Collins of Alabama for a loose ball after muffing the punt in the second quarter.
T.J. Yeldon, left, of Alabama celebrates a touchdown with teammate Kelly Johnson.
Alabama's T.J. Yeldon scores a touchdown against Notre Dame in the second quarter.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban watches the game from the sidelines.
Amari Cooper of Alabama hauls in a pass in front of Zeke Motta of Notre Dame.
Alabama's Amari Cooper runs the ball against KeiVarae Russell of Notre Dame.
Alabama running back Eddie Lacy carries the ball against Notre Dame on Monday.
Notre Dame head coach Jim Kelly looks on from the sidelines.
Center Barrett Jones and the Alabama offense line up against Notre Dame.
Michael Williams of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates his first-quarter touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson throws a pass during Monday's game against Alabama.
Alabama running back Eddie Lacy runs for the first touchdown of the title game against Notre Dame.
Quarterback AJ McCarron of Alabama celebrates after a touchdown against Notre Dame on Monday.
TJ Jones of Notre Dame is tackled by Alabama's Ty Reed.
Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson looks on after failing to convert on third down against Alabama.
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