Clemson Takes Title from Alabama
January 11, 2017
The Clemson University Tigers stunned the seemingly invincible University of Alabama Crimson Tide 35-31 on Monday night, January 9, to win the College Football Playoff National Championship at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Trailing for nearly all four quarters, Clemson’s junior quarterback Deshaun Watson completed a pass to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow in the end zone with just one second left in the game to secure the victory. The upset denied favorite Alabama and head coach Nick Saban an unprecedented fifth national football championship in the past eight seasons. For Clemson, it was their first national title since 1981 and only the second in school history.
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson eludes Alabama defenders to score during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 9, 2017. Clemson defeated Alabama 35-31 on a last-second touchdown. Credit: © Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images
Watson passed for 420 yards and 3 touchdowns and rushed for 43 yards in several spectacular scrambles. Watson did all this against the most fearsome defense in college football. Over the season, the Crimson Tide allowed the fewest yards per game, the fewest points per game, and the fewest rushing yards of any team in the nation. Standout tackle Jonathan Allen led an Alabama defense that did not allow a touchdown in all of November.
Monday’s game was a rematch of last year’s title game won by Alabama. It was the first rematch of a Division 1 college football championship since the title game was introduced at the start of the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) era in 1998. Ranked No. 3 going into this season’s NCAA college football playoff, Clemson was well-positioned to be the first team to defeat Nick Saban in a national championship game. In the four-game college championship playoff, Clemson crushed No. 2-ranked Ohio State 31-0 in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve in Glendale, Arizona, to earn a shot at the championship. Alabama easily dispatched their playoff opponent as well, downing newcomer Washington 24-7 in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta to set up the title game rematch. It was the 26th consecutive win for Alabama.
For Clemson and head coach William “Dabo” Swinney, the game was a chance for redemption. In last year’s championship game, the two teams combined for more than 1,000 yards in total offense, plus almost 300 yards more in punt and kickoff returns, as the teams scored 40 points between them in the fourth quarter alone. Many fans felt Clemson outplayed Alabama, only to fall 45-40 late in the game after several big plays and an Alabama onside kick that swung the game’s momentum.
