Clemson beats Oklahoma, advance to National Championship

That was Oklahoma’s last gasp – Clemson scored another TD four plays later.

The game went back and forth through the first half, the Sooners jumping ahead on an impressive first possession that culminated with Samaje Perine’s 1-yard drive. The PAT is good.

It’s the end of the first quarter at the Orange Bowl, Oklahoma still leading Clemson 7-3.

Austin Seibert’s 22-yard field goal has gotten Oklahoma within 13-10 with 4:41 left in the first half at the Orange Bowl.

Momentum seemed to shift back to Oklahoma before halftime, but Clemson took it back in the second half.

THE DECIDING PLAY: Trailing 23-17 in the third quarter, the Sooners drove into Clemson territory.

The Oklahoma drive carrying over into the second quarter does not result in points. Swinney’s got a spectacular quarterback in Watson and a defense wound tight by coordinator Brent Venables, who worked 13 years at Oklahoma before coming to Clemson in 2012. Wide receiver Sterling Shepard routinely required the attention of multiple defenders, yet still managed 1,201 receiving yards, 11 scores and eight games of at least 80 yards. It looked like the Tigers would punt back to the Sooners, but Tigers coach Dabo Swinney reached into his bag of tricks, dialing up a fake punt.

Clemson was not able to get the first down needed in the red zone after driving down the field and are forced to kick a 35 yard field goal from the right hash. However at the end of the season, there was no doubt that Clemson deserved to be ranked as the top team in the land.

Today number one ranked Clemson takes on #4 Oklahoma in the Capital One Orange Bowl. “(Gallman) had some big runs and I had some big runs and it started off on the offensive line”.

However, since Clemson has outscored their opponents a staggering 500-263 this season, thanks to Heisman Trophy finalist Deshaun Watson. “We did a great job stopping the run and in the second half, the defense came up with some huge plays”. But Clemson regained the upper hand on the opening drive of the second half through Wayne Gallman’s 1-yard run, and with that, the rout was on.

Mixon had just three carries before he was taken off the field with an injury and didn’t return.

Huegel has been good from 26, 36 and now 43 yards.

The Sooners responded with a drive to the Clemson 30-yard line, but on fourth-and-one at that point, Perine was stopped for no gain. Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw just five interceptions in the regular season but was picked off twice by the Tigers. Oklahoma had its chances, but couldn’t move the ball consistently enough. The PAT is made and that brings the score to 37-17, giving the Tigers a 20 point lead.

The Seminoles (10-3), who trailed 21-3 at halftime, tried to rally with two fourth-quarter touchdown passes by Sean Maguire.

Clemson runs the ball and works the clock down to under three minutes before having to punt away to the Sooners.

The College Football Playoff begins on New Year’s Eve with two terrific games: Clemson against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl and Alabama against Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl.