Alabama Crimson Tide tame Clemson Tigers in College Football final
Tuesday 12 January 2016 09:26, UK
Alabama won a fourth national title in seven years with a thrilling 45-40 victory over Clemson on Monday, the victory built on a quartet of long-range scoring plays and the recovery of an onside kick in the fourth quarter.
Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry sealed the victory with a one-yard touchdown run with 1:07 remaining, stretching Alabama's lead to 45-33.
The Tigers battled to the end in a wild fourth quarter that featured a combined 40 points.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson's 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Leggett with 12 seconds remaining brought Clemson within a score but the ensuing onside kick went out of bounds.
Alabama tight end OJ Howard had five catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns. While Henry ran 36 times for 158 yards and three touchdowns, including a 50-yard burst to start the scoring.
Henry wasn't able to get free much in the second half but quarterback Jake Coker connected on scoring passes of 53 and 51 yards to Howard after the break. Coker finished 16-for-25 for 335 yards.
Alabama's fireworks on offence were enough to offset a brilliant effort from Watson, who dazzled with his arm, his legs and dizzying improvisation skills.
He completed 30-of-47 passes for 405 yards and four touchdowns, and he ran 20 times for 73 yards..
Howard's second score came after defensive back Marlon Humphrey recovered a high-bouncing onside kick toward the right sideline. After a 33-yard Alabama field goal tied the game at 24, Humphrey caught the ball cleanly at the 50-yard line.
Alabama, who lost in last season's play-off semi-finals, were not done exerting their special teams superiority.
Clemson used a 31-yard field goal to get within 31-27, but Alabama kick returner Kenyan Drake carved through the coverage on the ensuing kickoff, taking it 95 yards and stretching out the ball to hit the pylon for a touchdown with 7:31 left.
The Tigers had won 51 consecutive games when leading after three quarters but could not hold on against Alabama after taking a 24-21 lead into the final period.
Coach Nick Saban won his fourth national title at Alabama and fifth overall. Only former Crimson Tide coach Bear Bryant (six) has won more than four national titles during the wire-service era (since 1936).
