National title race is down to 2 teams: Alabama vs Clemson

They were ticked off that Tigers All-America defensive end Shaq Lawson climbed on their bus to, uh, wish them good luck and mad when they confronted one another after a Wednesday luncheon.

Clemson’s offense in the first half proved a tease, as the Tigers outgained the Sooners but couldn’t capitalize.

As much as the Clemson offense revolves around the arm and legs of star quarterback Deshaun Watson; as much as the Tigers rely on his dual-threat ability; no player is more important to setting the tone of the offense than tailback Wayne Gallman.

The Tigers’ defense gets into the backfield on 3rd and 17 near midfield following a personal foul penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct forcing Oklahoma to punt.

Highlight of the Game: So many big plays for Clemson over the course of 60 minutes, but I’m sorry, when you run a fake punt that is created to be a pass to a 300-pound defensive tackle, and it works?

“We were winning after the first half but we didn’t play the best game we could have”, said tight end Mark Andrews, who was responsible for OU’s second touchdown. Lawson, a top pro prospect who intends to enter the draft as a junior, had taunted the Sooners leading up the game. – Oklahoma RB Samaje Perine ran 15 times for 58 yards and a score. Thursday, the Tigers reminded everyone just how good they are, in every facet. But in the matchup against No. 1 Clemson, the Sooners simply ran out of gas.

Watson finished with one touchdown rushing, one passing and continued one of the most impressive statistics in college football: He is undefeated in games as a starter that he finishes without injury. It didn’t matter. The Sooners scored 17 points against the Tigers and were shut out in the second half.

And in the second half, Clemson was simply the stronger team. The play went for 31 yards, setting up a touchdown two plays later to give Clemson the lead.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Renfrow again made a clutch play without even catching a pass. On second-and-15 from the Sooners’ 4, Renfrow got a step on defender Steven Parker on a long toss, resulting in a pass interference penalty and automatic first down.

Clemson retained its lead, 13-10, after the teams traded field goals – 36 yards by Huegel and 22 yards by Seibert. Clemson looks to keep their unblemished record intact, but Oklahoma is looking for revenge.

“We missed a lot of tackles”, defensive end Charles Tapper said. Wilkins deftly caught the pass and rumbled for a 31-yard gain to the Oklahoma 13-yard line. It continued with spins stolen from Vince Young, expanding with sprints taken from Tommie Frazier, like his 46-yard run to start the second quarter from his own 4-yard line when Oklahoma appeared to be in control.

But the third quarter belonged to the Tigers.

Clemson has gotten here despite actually losing the turnover battle this season, giving the ball away 25 times while forcing 23. Oklahoma had its chances, but couldn’t move the ball consistently enough.

Gallman put a cap on the scoring in the 4th with a 4 yard touchdown to make it 37-17. Gallman rushed for 150 yards on 26 carries in the game.

The Sooners put their first points on the board quickly with the help of a questionable call. They will face the victor of the Cotton Bowl between No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 Michigan State.