Deshaun Watson gave Alabama the business, just like he did last year, but now he can claim the ultimate prize in leading the Tigers to the National Championship.
Watson put an exclamation mark behind his exceptional college career with another fantastic performance in the biggest game of the year by connecting with receiver Hunter Renfrow on a two-yard touchdown pass with one second remaining to give the Tigers a 35-31 win in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
The pass punctuated a nine-play, 68-yard drive that delivered Clemson’s first championship since 1981 and answered Alabama’s own 68-yard to take a 31-28 lead with 2:07 to play. Renfrow’s catch gave the Tigers the win , avenging last year’s 45-40 loss to the Crimson Tide in last year’s title game.
After running back Wayne Gallman scored with less than five minutes left to give the Tigers their first lead of the game at 28-24, Alabama answered back when freshman QB Jalen Hurts sprinted 30 yards for a TD run with 2:07 remaining in the game.
Clemson owned the decisive fourth quarter, outscoring heavily favored Alabama 21-7 with two final drives of 88 and 68 yards. Renfrow caught 10 passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns while Watson solidified his legacy as one of the greatest college QB’s of all time while passing for 420 yards and three touchdowns.
