Alabama Football Playoff Semifinal Sugar Bowl 2015 vs OSU

Amari Cooper runs after the catch in the Sugar Bowl loss to Ohio State.

(Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

NEW ORLEANS -- In the somber Alabama locker room, a few starters declined requests for interviews. Its Heisman Trophy finalist, however, patiently took questions in two separate scrums.

Amari Cooper, who wouldn't say if he'd just played his last game at Alabama in the 42-35 Sugar Bowl loss to Ohio State, was candid discussing his night.

The junior receiver had nine catches for 71 yard and two touchdowns, but the big plays weren't there. His first-quarter touchdown covering 15 yards from Blake Sims was his longest reception of the night against a well-coached Ohio State defense.

Cooper called it a "great" defense that reminded him of Missouri's. The Buckeyes always had an eye on the record breaking receiver. Coaches on the sideline told him the plan he was facing.

"Every time Blake would look at me, the safety would run full speed over there," Cooper said. "Got a little bit of double coverage."

Sims targeted Cooper a total of 12 times and his nine catches easily led the team followed by DeAndrew White's three receptions for 65 yards.

"Yeah, it was frustrating, but at the same time I expected it," Cooper said. "I couldn't be mad at it. I had to go out there and play my game."

Missouri also effectively eliminated Cooper and the deep balls a week after catching touchdown passes of 39 and 75 yards, respectively against Auburn. The SEC East champions allowed Cooper to catch 12 passes, but none for more than 17 yards.

There were also protection issues at times against Ohio State. Sims was sacked three times -- twice to kill the third-quarter drive immediately after the Buckeyes took a 27-21 lead.

Center Ryan Kelly took the full blame for those shortcomings.

"We knew they were going to be a fast, physical defensive line. That's what they were from left to right, all four of those guys. They can rotate different positions, getting the scattered fronts on third down. That's a great front four. I'd put them in the SEC for sure."