Tide Rolls Buckeyes in College Football Championship
DeVonta Smith scores a touchdown during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Jan. 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Credit: © Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images
On Monday, January 11, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ohio State University Buckeyes 52-24 in the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami Gardens, Florida. It was coach Nick Saban’s sixth national title at Alabama and his seventh title overall. (Saban won the national championship in 2003 as head coach at Louisiana State University.) Alabama added yet another trophy to the school’s celebrated football history, dating back to its first championship title nearly 100 years ago.
In the first quarter, hard hits were met with even harder hits. Running backs tried to slice through defenses, while wide receivers tried to outpace their speedy opponents. Each team put one touchdown on the board. But then the score, much like Alabama’s DeVonta Smith, took off. Alabama exploded in the second quarter, scoring a whopping 28 points.
Smith’s performance was electric. The Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver had three touchdowns and 215 receiving yards—and that was only in the first half! He cemented several records, including most yards in a half, most single-season receiving yards in the Southeastern Conference, and most receiving yards in a College Football Playoff season. (Smith left early in the third quarter, due to a hand injury, and did not return.) Other Alabama superstars included the quarterback Mac Jones and the running back Najee Harris. Jones threw for five touchdowns and more than 400 passing yards. Harris barreled through Ohio State’s defense, picking up 79 rushing yards and scoring three touchdowns.
This national championship—and the entire football season—nearly did not happen. In summer 2020, citing the pandemic (global outbreak) of the coronavirus disease COVID-19, several conferences canceled sports seasons. One of these conferences was the Big 10, of which Ohio State is a part. In September 2020, the Big 10 reversed its decision, but the season was shortened. Rather than play between 10 and 11 games, Ohio State played only 6. Many people questioned whether the team should even be considered for the playoffs. But the players proved themselves in the semifinal against Clemson, eviscerating the Tigers 49-28.
The effects of the ongoing pandemic and the efforts to stop the spread of disease were visible at the championship game. There was limited seating, and the fans that were there were spaced for safety. Yes, the fans wore masks. But, the masks did not mute the loud cheers! As the confetti rained down on the victors, the players celebrated with their beloved, boisterous fans, if only at a distance.
