Wow What a Finish!

I have to admit I was not that concerned in watching tonight’s National Championship game but boy, am I glad I did. I personally cannot stand to watch Alabama in another bowl game. However, Alabama football is just downright unfair when it comes to college football but for three quarters of play Clemson looked like Superman vs. Batman in this fight (Yup I’m a nerd deal with it). Seriously though, DeShaun Watson threw 41 times completing 30 of his passes for 405 yards and 4 touchdowns, along with 20 carries for 73 yards (I am praying the Philadelphia Eagles were watching him tonight). Watson completed two touchdowns to walk on freshmen, wide receiver, Hunter Renfrow in the first half, launching his name into the spotlight very early on. Unfortunately the Tigers Quarterback threw his lone interception of the game at the end of the first half to set up Alabama in Clemson territory, as Alabama running back Derrick Henry pounded his way into the end zone. Clemson did have a chance at driving down the field one last time but a blocked field goal attempt would keep the game tied at 14 a piece heading into halftime.

Clemson would receive the ball first in the second half and this is where the game truly became wild in Phoenix. The Tigers’ offense looked absolutely unstoppable with Watson under center. With Clemson on top 24-21 in the fourth quarter, Alabama would travel down to the Clemson 16 yard line and have to settle for field goal attempt to tie the game at 24. Alabama Head Coach, Nick Saban then shocked the world with an onside kick and the roll tide would recover the football. Crimson Tide quarterback, Jake Coker would throw a 51-yard touchdown pass two plays later to Tight End, OJ Howard due to blown coverage as Bama captured a seven point lead. Clemson was now down for the first time all night but certainly not out. Watson and company marched back on to the field and put together a 6-play 61-yard drive that would be stopped at the Alabama 14 yard line and result in a 31-yard field goal. With the game now under 1 possession for the Tigers, the stadium grew louder and even my TV screen began to shake.

The very next play Alabama kick returner Kenyan Drake returned a 95-yard kick return for a touchdown to take the wind right out of the Tigers’ chest. The chess match never seemed to be over until the final moment in this one. With two minutes left on the clock Jake Coker would scramble on a 3rd and 2, as he made a defender miss to pick up the first down at the Tigers 3 yard line. Derrick Henry would punch it in for his third touchdown on the day and seal the victory, as Alabama would win 45-40. 

Alabama was well rounded and skilled at each position whether it was defense, offense or special teams, they all got the job done. Clemson fought very valiantly and had to overcome great adversity while playing without their star corner Mackensie Alexander, when he exited the game in the second quarter. Running back/Wide receiver Wayne Gallman also played banged up for most of the game, yet never gave up as he created big plays to keep Clemson alive late in the fourth quarter.

There will be plenty of reasons why the Tigers let this one slip away. Special teams killed them, whether it was the onside kick that Alabama recovered or the kick return for the touchdown, Clemson had no answer. Not to mention, poor tackling and pursuit angles were the downfall to Clemson’s defense. But the two biggest plays that came from Jake Coker happened due to blown coverage’s to let OJ Howard into the end zone. You can pick any one of those situations and explain the loss yet the Tigers only lost by five. Certainly Clemson had its mistakes but overall they played well against a very strong Alabama team that is coached by the college football god, Nick Saban. And lets not forget Clemson is still very young and was not projected to go 14-0 this season. Hell they were one quarter away from being 15-0. It will be exciting to see how they respond next season with Deshaun Watson in his second year and playoff experience now under his belt. Meanwhile, Alabama running back Derrick Henry rushed 36 times for 158 yards and three touchdowns proving to the NFL that he is surely ready for the pro league and not in fact the next Trent Richardson. I mean did you see that young man standing next to Mark Ingram during the coin toss? If you missed it here it is on Bleacher Reports Instagram:

I mean come on, Ingram looked like a toddler next to Henry. Standing at 6’3 245 pounds Henry is a force you certainly don’t want coming at you full speed. In my opinion, I thought the Clemson Tigers did an okay job at sustaining Henry as much as they could, it just wasn’t enough. Either way it was a tremendous game to watch and one of the best National Championship games I have ever seen. So congrats to Alabama but hopefully I don’t have to watch you again next year.

Featured Image From Youtube.com

Media Image From Bleacher Report’s Instagram account

Statistics From ESPN.GO.com