Big numbers not enough for Tigers, Watson

Clemson’s only national title came in 1981. Most of the yardage came on completions courtesy of busted coverages by the Tigers secondary, but Howard’s speed is impressive for a player at his position. Clemson kicked their chances of a National Title away to Alabama and led them to win the game with a score of 45-40 and the Championship National Title. “I thought we’d do a better job against him than we did”. The leadership on this team has been fabulous. “I saw a bunch of happy guys based on what they were able to accomplish together as a group”, he said.

“That’s kind of how I feel about it. I know you can’t do this forever, but I certainly enjoy the moment and certainly look forward to the future challenges that we have and really have no timetable for ever not being a part of a team”.

“I said that we would win a national championship again, it was just a matter of when”, Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said. Henry ran 36 times for 158 yards and three touchdowns, including a 50-yard burst to start the scoring.

However, it was the plays after the onside kick that really sealed Clemson’s fate – a long pass to O.J. Howard and a kickoff return for a touchdown shortly thereafter.

The Tigers stormed back on a 75-yard touchdown drive capped by a 15-yard pass from Watson to Artavis Scott with 4:40 on the clock.

When the Crimson Tide had practiced the play during the walk-through one day earlier, kick-team specialist Marlon Humphrey had dropped the “pop”. Swinney said he thought it was similar to an onside kick Clemson tried against SC two years ago that was reversed. “That was a huge play”.

Howard followed that up by saying, “It’s business when we get on that field”. So it was a combination of mistakes.

On a lighter note, Saban also addressed the fact that offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin missed the team bus back to the hotel after the game. They pulled within a point with less than a minute left, but instead of kicking the extra point that would have ensured them of a championship, coach Tom Osborne made a decision to go for the win with a two-point try. Coker finished 16-for-25 for 335 yards.

He completed 30-of-47 passes for 405 yards and four touchdowns, and he ran 20 times for 73 yards. Watson repeatedly threw Fitzpatrick’s direction as Hunter Renfrow caught two touchdowns on him.

It was a call you wouldnt necessarily expect from the typically risk-averse Saban, but it paid off by shifting the momentum in Alabamas favour.

“He hasn’t caught a ton of balls, but he does a lot of great things with his blocking, too”, Tide center Ryan Kelly said. The Tigers’ offense could not make a play, and their defense was no match against Alabama’s offense in the final minutes. With the Tigers focusing on Henry, Howard was left running free several times. TEXAS 41, USC 38 (2006 ROSE BOWL) This game was like Alabama-Clemson for excitement, but had an even wilder finish.

On a night when the nation’s top-ranked defense was shredded by Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, it took two big plays on special teams to overcome the individual performance. Two plays later, Greg Huegel’s 44-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Alabama’s D.J. Pettway and fell short. Drake broke free and streaked down the sideline for a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown, diving the last 5 yards to the pylon. Not only for their team, but for the fabulous game they had just witnessed.