Derrick Henry got it started with a 50 yard touchdown run. Clemson came back to score 14 straight
with 2 touchdowns from Watson to freshman walk-on tight end, Hunter Renfrow. And Henry scored the lone touchdown of the 2nd quarter to go into halftime with a tied score at 14 a piece. By the end of the 3rd quarter, Clemson was up 24-21. Bama scored a field goal a few minutes into the 4th quarter & stole momentum from Clemson after recovering an onside kick and a 51 yard touchdown pass from Jake Coker to O.J. Howard two plays later. Clemson responded with a field goal but made the mistake of kicking off to Kenyan Drake, who returned it 95 yards for another score. At this point, Clemson was down 27-38. Deshaun Watson did a great job of leading 2 scoring drives late in the 4th quarter but eventually ran out of time as Bama held on for a 45-40 win.
Clemson, who was in their first national title game since winning it back in 1981, really held their own against Alabama. They made big plays when they needed it, did a great job stuffing Derrick Henry despite his 3 touchdowns, pressured Jake Coker all night with 5 sacks but I feel like there were two instances in the game that altered the outcome in the Crimson Tide’s favor. First, Mackensie Alexander aggravated his hamstring injury in the 2nd quarter, which forced him to sit out the rest of the game. After he went out, that is when O.J. Howard (record 208 receiving yards in title game) arrived to the scene with 2 huge touchdown catches after blown coverages from the Clemson secondary. Second, two 4th quarter plays from the special teams unit swung the momentum to Bama’s side. Nick Saban, probably realizing that his defense was having a difficult time stopping Deshaun Watson & Clemson’s up-tempo spread attack, called a “bring your own guts” play when he decided to kick an onside kick in which the kicker executed perfectly. Then came the big kickoff return touchdown from Kenyan Drake that put Bama up 11 points on the Tigers with about 7:30 left in the game. In my opinion, those 2 special teams plays won the game for Alabama. There were questions regarding Alabama & their dynasty status after their 3rd title win against Notre Dame; but now with 4 in 7 years, they are officially a dynasty and one of the best in college football history. Nick Saban wins his fifth national title and will go down as one of the best coaches ever at the college football level. Despite the loss, Deshaun Watson upped his stock after this game. 405 yards through the air (championship record), 73 yards on the ground including a few amazing elusive scrambles that reminded you of Johnny Football, and 4 touchdowns. Even more impressive was his composure, leadership & clutch ability to come up big on 3rd down & late 4th quarter drives to keep Clemson in the game. I believe Watson will bring Clemson back to the playoffs next year. The other quarterback in this game, Jake Coker, struggled a bit in the first half. The former Florida State backup to Jameis Winston had poor pocket presence & good play from the Clemson defensive line & secondary let to him taking a number of unnecessary sacks. He came back strong in the 2nd half with 253 passing yards & 2 touchdowns.
All in all, it was one of the best championship games ever. Alabama & Clemson will reload with plenty of talent coming back and will be right back in the playoff race next season. Nick Saban cemented his legacy as one of the best ever and Dabo Swinney is on the cusp of starting his own legacy and leading his team to greatness.
