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.

January 9, 2019

On Monday, January 7, the Clemson University Tigers trounced the University of Alabama Crimson Tide 44-16 to win the College Football Playoff National Championship at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It was the second national championship in the past three years for Clemson and head coach Dabo Swinney. With the win, the Tigers became the first team in modern college football history with a 15-win undefeated season. Clemson’s victory also prevented legendary Alabama head coach Nick Saban from earning a seventh career national football championship.

Clemson’s A. J. Terrell returns an interception for a touchdown early in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Levi’s Stadium on Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, California. Credit: © Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images

On Alabama’s first possession, sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw an interception that was returned 44 yards for a touchdown by Clemson defensive back A. J. Terrell. But Alabama quickly scored on their following drive to tie the game at 7-7. The teams swapped scores through the end of the first quarter, but Clemson pulled ahead in the second for a 31-16 halftime lead. Clemson dominated the second half, adding two more touchdowns while stopping Alabama on three consecutive fourth-down conversion attempts.

Clemson’s final possession was an epic example of clock domination as they ran 14 plays to move 94 yards. After forcing an Alabama punt with 10:02 remaining in the game, Clemson took over the ball on their own 1-yard line. A series of runs and first downs then slowly shoved the Crimson Tide defense backward as the clock ticked the season away. The game ended following a fourth-down run by Clemson’s Adam Choice, who fought to Alabama’s 5-yard line on the final play.

Clemson freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence finished the game with three touchdown passes and no interceptions, completing 20 of 32 passes for 347 yards. Lawrence shared the game’s most valuable player honors with junior cornerback Trayvon Mullen, who anchored the defense with six tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a 46-yard interception return.

Rarely have two teams dominated college football more than Alabama and Clemson did during the 2018 season. Alabama began the year ranked number one in the country. Clemson reached the number two ranking nine weeks into the season. Both teams went 13-0 during the regular season. In the four-team College Football Playoff that began on December 29, second-ranked Clemson easily dispatched third-ranked Notre Dame 30-3 at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas. Top seed Alabama jumped out early against fourth-ranked Oklahoma at the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida, and held on for a 45-34 win to set up the national championship title game.

This was the fourth straight year that Alabama and Clemson have faced each other in the College Football Playoff, and the third time they have matched up in the national championship. Alabama defeated Clemson in the 2016 title game. Clemson beat Alabama to win the championship in 2017. In 2018, Alabama took out Clemson in the playoff before defeating Georgia in the title game.

January 9, 2018

Last night, on January 8, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide needed a magnificent performance by an unlikely hero to grind out a second half comeback and a 26-23 overtime victory over the University of Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The victory gave Alabama head coach Nick Saban an unprecedented fifth national football championship in the past nine years. The win also established the Crimson Tide as the first great college football dynasty of the 21^st century.

Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith catches a 41-yard touchdown pass in overtime to give the Crimson Tide a 26-23 victory over Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Jan. 8, 2018. Credit: © Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images

Up against a stout Georgia defense, Alabama trailed 13-0 at halftime. But Alabama’s top-ranked defense kept the game within reach, stunting the Bulldog’s vaunted running game and twice intercepting Georgia freshman quarterback Jake Fromm. To start the second half, Saban pulled sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts, who had started most of Alabama’s games during the season. Saban sent in freshman backup Tua Tagovailoa, and the Hawaiian quarterback quickly led a third quarter touchdown drive to close the gap to 13-7. Georgia struck back with an 80-yard touchdown pass from Fromm to make it 20-7. Alabama notched two field goals to make the score 20-13 before the confident Tagovailoa drove the Crimson Tide downfield for the tying touchdown. Alabama missed a field goal that would have capped their comeback win in regulation time.

Georgia, who had defeated Oklahoma in double overtime in the college championship playoff a week ago, got the ball to start overtime play against the Crimson Tide. The Bulldog drive stalled, but kicker Rodrigo Blankenship made good on a 51-yard field goal. The Alabama possession started off poorly as Tagovailoa was sacked for a 16-yard loss. But on the next play, he hit freshman receiver DeVonta Smith on a 41-yard touchdown pass to complete the epic comeback. The win gave Saban a total of 6 national championships (his first came with Louisiana State University in 2003), equaling the title total of legendary Alabama head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.

In the four-team college football playoff, Alabama avenged their defeat in last year’s title game by beating the defending national champion Clemson Tigers 24-6 in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on New Year’s Day. Clemson enjoyed a 12-1 season and had gone into the NCAA playoff ranked number 1 in the country. Alabama went 11-1 during the season, but the team barely made the playoffs as the number 4 seed. Many football fans thought that spot should have gone to 11-2 Ohio State instead. Southeastern Conference champion Georgia (12-1) entered the playoff as the number 3 team against the second-ranked Oklahoma Sooners. The Bulldogs needed double overtime to scratch out a thrilling 54-48 victory over the Sooners at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day to set up the national title game. It was the first overtime game in Rose Bowl history.

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.

Alabama’s Kenyan Drake (in white) gets past Clemson’s T. J. Green to score a touchdown with a 95-yard kickoff return during the second half of the NCAA College Football Playoff Championship game. The 2015 championship was decided on Monday, January 11, in Glendale, Arizona. Credit: © David J. Phillip, AP Photo

January 12, 2016

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Clemson University Tigers 45-40 on Monday night, January 11, to win the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship. The title was the fourth in the past seven seasons for Alabama, placing the school among the elite in college football history. Only Notre Dame during the period of 1943 to 1949 won as many as four championships in seven seasons.

The game broke a recent string of one-sided championship games that lacked suspense down the stretch. On Monday night, the lead went back and forth for the first three quarters, with Alabama taking control with a 17-point burst in three minutes in the fourth quarter. The contest was loaded with big moments—with four touchdowns coming on plays of more than 50 yards, including a 95-yard kickoff return by Alabama’s Kenyan Drake. The two teams combined for 1,012 yards in total offense, plus almost 300 yards more in punt and kickoff returns. Alabama and Clemson scored 40 points between them in the fourth quarter alone.

Each team’s offensive star gave a center stage performance. Alabama’s Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry rushed for 158 yards and three touchdowns, including a 50-yard sprint that opened the scoring 5 minutes and 18 seconds into the game. Clemson’s All-American sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson passed for 405 yards and four touchdowns and added another 73 yards rushing. Watson has got to be the odds-on favorite for next season’s Heisman Trophy.

For all the excitement provided by both teams offensively, the key play of the evening was a kickoff that went only 15 yards. Alabama had kicked a field goal to tie the score at 24-24 with 10 minutes and 34 seconds remaining in the game. Alabama coach Nick Saban then elected to try an on-side kick to retain possession of the ball. The kick was executed perfectly against the surprised Clemson team as an Alabama player caught the kick in mid air. Two plays later, quarterback Jake Coker hit tight end O. J. Howard with a 51-yard touchdown pass to give Alabama what turned out to be a permanent lead with 9 minutes and 45 seconds left in the game.

The teams still had time to score four more touchdowns and a field goal, the last touchdown, by Clemson, bringing the score to 45-40 with 12 seconds left. Clemson tried its own on-side kick, but the ball went out of bounds and Alabama ran out the clock to end one of the most memorable title champion games in college football history.

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