Clemson special teams mistakes cost it national title

Clemson came just short of winning its first national title in 34 years Monday night, falling 45-40 to Alabama in the College Football Playoff championship game, a back-and-forth contest.

Yes, that’s what qualifies as a drought for the Nick Saban-built dynasty, which has now won four of the last seven national championships.

Stewart turned to the left, grabbed the ball and got a foot inbounds to haul in a lovely 38-yard reception that set up Adam Griffith’s 33-yard field goal that tied the game at 24. Quarterback Deshaun Watson’s 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Leggett with 12 seconds left brought Clemson within a score, but the ensuing onside kick went out of bounds.

Kenyan Drake electrified the crowd with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to give Alabama a 38-27 lead more than midway through the fourth quarter. He connected with receiver Hunter Renfrow twice in the first half for scores to match Heisman victor Derrick Henry’s two touchdown runs as the game was tied at 14 at the half.

Even though the Tigers lost to Alabama, Watson still showed himself to be a superstar, with 400 yards passing and four touchdowns to go with 73 rushing yards in the title game.

But Saban’s still taking a backseat to Bear Bryant, the former Alabama head coach who won six national titles in the ’60s and ’70s. Here are the top five reasons Clemson will be right back in the National Championship game next season.

The Tide overwhelmed the Tigers with one big play after another, whether it be an onside kick or a long kickoff return.

Howard will also have one other important piece of information to help him make the decision – his feedback from the NFL Draft Advisory Board. By a touchdown. Because it makes more sense for any non-Alabama team to lose than for Alabama to lose.

“I think that changed the momentum of the game, and our guys finished it”, Saban said. Coker finished 16-for-25 for 335 yards. I would say it’s bad coaching on my part that he didn’t have the opportunity to do that all year long, because he is really a good athlete, and he’s improved tremendously as a player this year.

Watson threw another touchdown pass to cap a wild 40-point fourth quarter, but would not get another chance.

Watson gave the Tide all it could handle, throwing for 405 yards and four touchdowns, and conjuring up memories of Vince Young’s miraculous performance for Texas in the 2006 Rose Bowl that derailed Southern California’s dynasty. Henry ran 36 times for 158 yards and three touchdowns, including a 50-yard romp to start the scoring.

Moments later, Alabama took back the lead.

“But championship football is a game of a few plays, and that’s really what this one came down to, just a few plays”, he said.

Alabama’s Richard Mullaney, left, catches a pass in front of Clemson’s Jayron Kearse during the first half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.

Stat of the game: 550: Despite the loss Clemson put up 550 yards of offense, more than twice what Alabama was allowing on average entering the year.

Clemson took a 24-21 lead on a 60-yard drive, capped by a 1-yard plunge from running back Wayne Gallman.

Swinney didn’t guarantee a trip to Tampa, but said the Tigers will play for another national title sooner rather than later.