Germie Bernard explains his circus catch for Alabama vs Oklahoma in CFP
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Against Oklahoma, Alabama football wide receiver Germie Bernard had the catch of the game and, possibly, a contender for catch of the year in a College Football Playoff first-round contest on Friday, Dec. 19, in Norman, Oklahoma.
The Crimson Tide punched its ticket to Pasadena with a 34-24 victory. It might not have happened without Bernard’s 24-yard catch to put Alabama (11-3) in position for the game-sealing touchdown.
With 8:44 to play on second-and-4, Bernard ran downfield into the coverage of Sooners defensive back Jacobe Johnson. Bernard leapt into Johnson’s arms, just high enough see quarterback Ty Simpson’s pass over the defender’s helmet, and secured the catch.
GERMIE BERNARD WITH WHAT MAY BE THE CATCH OF THE YEAR 🤯
— College Football Report (@CFBReport) December 20, 2025
Pushed five yards ahead from where he made the catch with the help of Johnson running at full speed, Bernard landed at OU’s 5-yard line. Johnson tried to rip the ball out of Bernard’s hands, but the UA senior was fighting for the chance to face Indiana.
The field position that Bernard provided set Alabama up for a touchdown run by Daniel Hill.
Here’s what Bernard told ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe about the circus catch that will go down in the books of Alabama football history.
“I knew it was one-on-one coverage,” Bernard said.
He motioned to Simpson and said, “This guy trusts me with the ball.”
Seeing Simpson downfield, he remembered a deep shot that he missed in the third quarter when Alabama was on third-and-2. Bernard didn’t forget the way Simpson motivated him after the incompletion.
“He said he was going to come back, and I couldn’t let him down in that moment,” Bernard said.
Bernard’s reaction to the momentum that play gave the Crimson Tide was what would be expected of Alabama’s leading receiver.
ORDER OUR NICK SABAN COMMEMORATIVE BOOK
“It was a good catch, but I know I have to get ready for the next play because the game wasn’t over yet,” Bernard said.
“You’ve just got to have strong hands in that moment. This is what we train for. Going to the next wave being 1-0. Coach always harps on that.”
Up next is the Rose Bowl, where No. 9 seed Alabama will meet No. 1 Indiana at 3 p.m. CT on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football WR Germie Bernard explains circus catch vs Oklahoma
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos