With the score 24-24 and 10:34 remaining, the Tide’s Adam Griffith surprised the Tigers with an onside kick that was plucked out of the air by Marlon Humphrey.
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Heisman Trophy victor Derrick Henry ran for three touchdowns.
And there goes Heisman Trophy victor Derrick Henry, sprinting up the middle on a 50-yard touchdown burst to give Alabama the lead with 7:55 left in the first quarter. In the receiving end, Charone Peake had 99 yards in six catches while Hunter Renfrow added 88 yards and two touchdowns.
The victory gives Alabama (14-1) its fourth national title in seven years, an incredible run under coach Nick Saban.
And we’re off and scoring in the second half. The Tide will force Clemson QB Deshaun Watson to win the game with his arm. Watson finished 30-for 44 and 405 yards with four touchdowns. “It’s not about being the favorite and being the underdog, it’s about how you play the game, and our core values and the things that we believe in – the things that we think help us win are the same in this game as they are all these other games”. Watson was 12 of 18 for 162 yards and an interception.
With less than 20 seconds to go in the half, Clemson completed a pass to the 27-yard line for a first down. Before heading to the locker room, Saban said the quarterback needs to get rid of the ball quicker in the pocket. There have been just four total in the last five games. And Clemson has its own shot at history: If the Tigers win the national title, they would become the first team to achieve a 15-0 season. The Tigers piled up 90 more yards and nine more first downs than Alabama. DeShaun Watson has been known to find Gallman in short passing situations that result in big gains.
If Alexander is limited, it would add to Clemson’s defensive issues. But Clemson will present problems the Tide has not faced this season – and hasn’t really solved in the past few years. You won’t want to turn it off early in the fourth quarter.
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As Alabama players ran onto the field for warmups, they were greeted by boos by the large contingent of Clemson fans a very large contingent that is quickly filling up University of Phoenix Stadium.
