Alabama vs Clemon CFP Title game recap

The Alabama Crimson Tide have done it again. They defeated the top-ranked Clemson Tigers in Glendale, Arizona, 45-40, in a back and forth game. It may just have been the best championship game since the 2006 Rose Bowl, in which Texas escaped Southern California with a late touchdown by quarterback Vince Young to seal the deal.

Heisman winning running back Derrick Henry struck first with a 50-yard touchdown run mid-first quarter. Clemson and Deshaun Watson would not be phased as Watson would throw for two touchdowns to give the Tigers the lead, 14-7 at the end of the first quarter. Just a few minutes into the second quarter, Watson would throw the only turnover the game saw, to cornerback Eddie Jackson, which the Tide would take full advantage by riding Henry into the endzone for his second touchdown of the night tying the game, 14-14 at halftime. Clemson’s star cornerback Mackensie Alexander would not make it past halftime as he re-injured his left hamstring in the second quarter and would miss the rest of the game.

Alabama would set the pace to start the second half scoring early into the third quarter, with a 53-yard pass from Jake Coker to O.J. Howard for a touchdown to take the lead, 21-14. The Tigers reclaimed their lead before the fourth quarter, 24-21 with a field goal and a rushing touchdown by Wayne Gallman. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Alabama would tie things up, 24-24 which would be followed by a successful onside kick recovered by defensive back Marlon Humphrey. A few plays later, O.J. Howard would catch his second touchdown to acquire the lead once again, 31-24. The Tigers were quick to fire back as they cut the lead to four points with a field goal, 31-27. On the very next play, running back Kenyan Drake would return a kickoff 95 yards for the touchdown, 38-27. Clemson would not give up as they played with gargantuan heart, scoring two more touchdowns courtesy of Watson, as Henry would force his way in the end zone one more time to make the score, 45-40 as the Crimson Tide would seize their fourth national title in seven years, which was their sixteenth national championship overall.

The Offensive MVP was tight end O.J. Howard who finished with five receptions for 208 yards with an average of 41.6 yards per catch and two touchdowns. Defensive back Eddie Jackson took home the Defensive MVP with a key interception and two tackles. Henry also finished with 158 rushing yards and three touchdowns. As for Clemson, Watson threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns and was nearly unstoppable. Two defensive lineman who gave Bama’s offense loads of trouble were Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd. They combined for 10.5 tackles and all five of Clemson’s sacks.

As this season has come to a close, next season will be highly anticipated with the Crimson Tide facing off against the Southern California Sept 3, While Clemson will take on Auburn the same day.