Clemson Upsets Top Ranked Alabama in National Championship Game

It came down to the last second during Monday night’s College Playoff national championship, but the second-ranked Clemson Tigers pulled off a victory to dethrone Alabama and earn their first national championship title since 1981.

First Half Woes

Alabama kept Clemson contained for the first half of the game. The Crimson Tide was first to get on the scoreboard after running back Bo Scarbrough scored back-to-back touchdowns in the first half to give Alabama a 14-0 lead. The sophomore back ran for 93 yards on 16 carries.

Bo … AGAIN! This time for 37 yards! #RollTide #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/1TyaKrwgW3

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) January 10, 2017

Clemson trailed by seven points after Deshaun Watson scored on a eight-yard carry.

In the third quarter, the Tigers made their way up the scoreboard, trailing by just three points after Hunter Renfrow scored on a 24-yard catch and run. Alabama losing Scarbrough late in the third quarter to a leg injury played a huge role in the outcome of the contest.

Fourth Quarter Fury

Clemson managed to pull ahead and get its first lead of the game at the 4:38 mark in the fourth quarter. The Tigers led 28-24 when Wayne Gallman scored on a one-yard run. Alabama, however, did not make it that easy for Clemson to win the title.

The Crimson Tide’s offense came back to life and responded with a wide receiver pass from ArDarius Stewart to O.J. Howard and a 30-yard touchdown run from Jalen Hurts. Hurts struggled to connect on pass attempts throughout the game, but in this moment he looked like he was trying to redeem himself.

30 yard TD for Hurts as Alabama retakes the lead!!! #NationalChampionship on ESPN https://t.co/4d9f079tC8

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 10, 2017

Watson says when he saw the time left on the clock after Alabama scored, he knew Clemson still had an opportunity.

With 2:01 remaining in the game when the Tigers got the ball, Watson completed a 24-yard pass to Mike Williams and a 17-yard pass to Jordan Leggett to put the Tigers in scoring position. Watson threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow and scored with one second left on the clock in regulation.

Hunter Renfrow welcome to history. https://t.co/opLhldYSza

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 10, 2017

The last second thriller stunned the crowd at Raymond James Stadium. Clemson snapped Crimson Tide’s 26-game winning streak and handed Alabama it’s first loss of the season.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban says it was a hard fought game, but wishes he could have done more to win. 

Sweet Revenge

Last season, Clemson lost the championship to Alabama 45-40, despite Watson putting up 478 yards. This year, Watson felt the pressure from the Tide in the first half, but came back to the field with some confidence after halftime. He finished with four touchdowns and 420 yards.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney says Clemson could have sent the game into overtime with a field goal, but they were playing to win. 

Watson and Swinney gave Saban his first loss in a national championship game and first loss in a title game since the 2008 SEC Championship Game. Alabama went 4-0 in national championship games under Saban.