Clemson (14-1) was trying to win its first title since 1981 and to become the first Football Bowl Subdivision team to win 15 games in a season.
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Not everyone may have wanted to see Alabama emerge yet again as college football’s overlord, but the dramatic, back-and-forth game – one that capped an otherwise lackluster bowl season – brought smiles to the faces of fans across the country. The Tide has won 13 NCAA national titles, including 2009, 2011 and 2012, led by Head Coach Nick Saban.
Henry ran a nuanced version of a tight end screen, dragging across the line of scrimmage from right to left, getting excellent blocks from Richard Mullaney and Calvin Ridley and outrunning two Clemson linebackers for a 63-yard gain that set up Henry’s third touchdown of the game and an insurmountable 45-33 lead.
One prevailing narrative for this game pits Clemson’s star sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson against Alabama’s rock-solid defense. It was the second touchdown reception of the game for Howard, who finished with 208 yards and five catches, his finest game as a collegian. And Alabama showed both its flexibility and depth of talent, erupting for 24 fourth-quarter points after trailing 24-21.
The Alabama Crimson Tide has won its fourth National Championship under head coach Nick Saban, as the team beat the Clemson Tigers with a late touchdown to win the game 45-40. But even as the reigning Heisman victor enjoyed another stellar performance in the National Championship, it was Howard who shined brightest in Alabama’s biggest game of the season.
The scores was tied at 24 early in the fourth quarter when the Crimson Tide turned the momentum by recovering an onside kick. He completed 25-of-30 passes for 286 yards and two scores as the Spartans focused on Derrick Henry.
NOTES: Next season’s national title game will be held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., on January 9. Take away his 50-yard dash and he averaged just 3.08 yards per carry.
Clemson gathered its composure and answered the Tide touchdown with a field goal drive – cutting the Alabama margin to 31-27 – but then special teams’ disaster struck again for the Tigers. After Clemson responded with a field goal, it was Kenyan Drake’s turn to command the spotlight.
Alabama unleashed tight end O.J. Howard as a weapon to complement Henry’s power running.
He was not able to get free much in the second half but quarterback Jake Coker connected on scoring passes of 53 and 51 yards to Howard after the break. A lot of people thought Alabama was going to just roll over us.
Watson, facing his sternest test with Alabama’s vaunted defense, passed with flying colors.
The junior defensive end Shaq Lawson has been questionable all week with a knee injury, although Coach Dabo Swinney said a couple of days ago that he was very likely to play.
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Watson finished with 405 yards passing, the most any quarterback has hung on the Crimson Tide this year. It marked the first game between the teams since 2008.
