Tide turns on Tigers

The 2015-16 college football season concluded in a spectacular fashion Monday night when second-ranked Alabama beat top-ranked Clemson, 45-40, in Glendale, Ariz. The nation’s top two ranked teams slugged it out for their claim as national champions. Big plays in the fourth quarter by Alabama’s special teams and its unsuspected hero, tight end O.J. Howard, turned Clemson’s dream of winning its second-ever national title into a memory that may haunt them for a while.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinny’s motto for the season has been the phrase “bring your own guts” (BYOG) because he had the belief that everyone has counted their team out and they only had their own… guts… to believe in. Unfortunately for Swinny, it was Alabama’s coach, Nick Saban, who showcased his guts in play calling and ultimately pulling out a grueling, albeit, half-expected win.

The first half was mostly a defensive battle with the exception of a few big plays, such as Alabama Heisman winner Derrick Henry’s 50-yard run that resulted in the game’s first points on the Crimson Tide’s second possession. Clemson got decent field position from the ensuing kickoff return which led to another big play, this time a 31-yard touchdown pass from Tiger quarterback Deshaun Watson to receiver Hunter Renfrow.

After a ’Bama missed field goal, Watson was able to orchestrate a quick 73-yard drive to put Clemson up, 14-7.  With their quick scoring offense and their four defensive sacks, it felt like the Tigers would remain in control through the first half. That was until Alabama cornerback Eddie Jackson was able to come up with an interception to help spark the Tide and give its offense good field position, which was used to knot the score at 14 heading into halftime.

Some of Saban’s guts showed in the form of a surprise onside kick after his team scored a tying field goal with 10:34 to play in the fourth quarter. The success of the kick was crucial in keeping Clemson’s dynamic quarterback, Watson, off the field for what would prove to be a valuable possession.

Two plays later, Alabama regained the lead, 31-24, when Howard found himself wide open for his second touchdown of the game, a 51-yard reception. Clemson would respond with a field goal, only to be outdone by the Alabama special teams unit when Kenyan Drake scored on a 95-yard kickoff return, extending the Tides’ lead to 11.

Not to be outdone, Watson and company fought back, while down 45-33 with 1:07 remaining in the game after exchanging touchdowns. Down by two possessions, they mustered a quick 55-second scoring drive, making it 45-40 – leaving 12 seconds for a miracle onside kick attempt of their own. Only, in this instance the Tigers wouldn’t have the element of surprise in their favor, and thus they failed to convert and the Crimson Tide took over and took a final kneel-down.

The win gave Alabama and Saban a fourth title in seven years which puts him atop the list of the best-college-football-coach-EVER discussion, with the likes of yet another Alabama coach, the legendary Bear Bryant (six titles). Saban himself has five titles (four with Alabama and one with LSU) and is 5-0 when playing in the national title game.

Clemson fans at least have something to hang their hat on, a consolation prize (if there is such a thing), as Watson, the Tigers’ dynamic quarterback, had a record 478 all-purpose yards which surpassed the previous record-holder Vince Young’s 467 yards. Furthermore, Watson is only a sophomore, and with a young, talented team expected to return next year, Clemson’s already listed No. 1 in the way-too-early rankings for next season.

Advocate Staff