Alabama Defeats Clemson, Wins College Football Playoff

GLENDALE, AZ — In a heavyweight showdown for the National Championship, No. 2 Alabama defeated No. 1 Clemson 45-40 to win the College Football Playoff. It was Alabama’s fourth title in the last seven years, and the fifth individually for head coach Nick Saban. The loss ended Clemson’s streak of wins when leading after three quarters at 51.

 

TURNING POINTS:

• After kicking a field goal to tie the game at 24, Alabama pulled off a flawless, surprise, onside kick with 10:34 to go in the fourth quarter. The recovery led to an Alabama touchdown, a lead they would not relinquish.

• After Clemson kicked a field goal to cut into Alabama’s lead (31-27), return man Keyon Drake took a kickoff and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown, giving the Crimson Tide a two score lead and all but ending Clemson’s chances.

 

TOP PERFORMERS:

• Alabama running back Derrick Henry rushed for 158 yards and 3 scores, including a 53-yard-run that showcased the elite speed for someone of his size, as well as a one yard dive that essentially iced the game in the final minutes. Henry may be the best of Alabama’s recent string of NFL bound running backs; he certainly looks the part when shown next to Saints running back and former Crimson Tide Heisman winner Mark Ingram.
• Clemson quarterback DeShaun Watson was electric, throwing for 400 yards and 4 touchdowns while adding 73 more on the ground. He took several vicious hits yet didn’t back away, continuing to extend plays with incredible athleticism and throw amazingly accurate passes even when under pressure from a vaunted Alabama defense, even in the final minute of the game when the outcome was all but settled. Look for him to be playing on Sundays in the next couple years.

FAST TIDE THE DIFFERENCE

Alabama’s speed was on display in the victory, and arguably the largest difference in the hotly contested affair. Derrick Henry ran away for a 53 yard score, and tight end O.J. Howard had touchdowns of 51 and 53 yards in addition to a 63 yard screen pass that saw him burn much of the Clemson defense up the left sideline. Clemson proved they could go toe-to-toe with the SEC powerhouse, but simply ran out of gas trying to keep up with the Crimson Tide. Even with departing stars, look for both of these teams to be in the Top 10 in next year’s poll.