The Crimson Tide (14-1), who won their fourth national title in seven years under coach Nick Saban, received all 61 first-place votes after their 45-40 win over No. 2 Clemson in the CFP championship game on Monday night at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
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The Crimson Tide became the second team in college football’s poll era, dating to 1936, to win four titles in seven seasons.
“I felt at the time we needed to so something to change the momentum of the game”, Saban said of the decision to try what he called a “pop” kick.
Alabama had just made it 24-24 on an Adam Griffith field goal when Saban called for the onside kick, or “pop kick”, as he termed it.
Marlon Humphrey caught the ball in midair at the 50 and, two plays later, Coker found Howard on a 51-yard touchdown play and Alabama led for good, 31-24, with 9:45 to play.
And when Kenyan Drake took a kickoff back 98 yards for a score, after a Clemson field goal cut Alabama’s lead to 31-27, the outcome was all but determined. Watson was one of three Heisman finalists this season (along with the trophy victor, Alabama running back Derrick Henry). Moments later, Tide safety Eddie Jacksonintercepted a Watson pass to set up the tying touchdown as Alabama moved 42 yards to a 1-yard dive by Henry to tie the score at 14-14.
“There were a few plays we didn’t really capitalize on, and I missed some throws”, Watson said. Coker finished 16-for-25 for 335 yards.
Two plays later, Coker had Howard an easy, wide-open strike over the middle; his second long touchdown catch of the half against a coverage bust in the Clemson secondary. Henry eventually dove in for a touchdown from the 1 yard line to tie the game again at 14-14.
Led by head coach William “Dabo” Swinney, the Tigers were undefeated this season and earned the No. 1 seed.
COACH RANKINGS: Is Saban the best in sports? .
Alabama’s Derrick Henry gets to keep his Heisman after carrying 36 times for 158 yards and three touchdowns.
Each time Clemson faced adversity throughout the game, the Tigers fought back to even score.
Still, the Tigers led 24-21 after Wayne Gallman’s 1-yard run with 4:48 left in the third quarter capped a nine-play, 60-yard drive. Swinney said he thought it was similar to an onside kick Clemson tried against SC two years ago that was reversed. Alabama managed to stop the two-point conversion, and Clemson still trailed by a hopeful five points.
Stat of the game: 550: Despite the loss Clemson put up 550 yards of offense, more than twice what Alabama was allowing on average entering the year.
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Clemson and Watson proved to be every bit Alabama’s equal. However, Alabama recovering the ball was everything that Clemson hoped would not happen.
