Since 1923 • For a greater Loyola

The Maroon

Since 1923 • For a greater Loyola

The Maroon

Since 1923 • For a greater Loyola

The Maroon

Clemson wins the College Football Playoff National Championship

Clemson+players+celebrate+after+the+NCAA+college+football+playoff+championship+game+against+Alabama+Tuesday%2C+Jan.+10%2C+2017%2C+in+Tampa%2C+Fla.+Clemson+won+35-31.+%28AP+Photo%2FJohn+Bazemore%29+Photo+credit%3A+Courtesy+of+AP
Clemson players celebrate after the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Alabama Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. Clemson won 35-31. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Photo credit: Courtesy of AP

In a rematch of last year’s College Football Playoff National Championship, No.2 ranked Clemson overcame early struggles to oust No.1 Alabama, claiming the National Championship in the final seconds of the game.

With one second left in the game and down by three points, Clemson lined up on the two-yard-line. Quarterback Deshaun Watson snapped the ball, rolled right, and delivered a quick strike to Hunter Renfrow to seal the comeback victory.

The fourth quarter was wild with three lead changes and crucial plays that determined the outcome of the game.

WIth 4:38 remaining in the game, Clemson’s Wayne Gallman plunged in from one-yard out to grab Clemson’s first lead of the game, making the score 28-24.

Alabama responded quickly and quarterback Jalen Hurts torched the Tigers with a 30-yard touchdown run with 2:07 left in the game to retake the lead, 31-28.

This left the game in the hands of the Heisman runner-up Watson, and he orchestrated the nine play, 68-yard drive to seal the 35-31 victory for the Tigers.

Watson shined for the Tigers, completing 36/56 throws for 420 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 43 yards and a score on the ground in the win.

Tigers receiver Renfrow had a team-high 10 catches for 92 yards with two touchdowns, including the game-winning catch.

With this win, Clemson claimed their first title since 1981, ending the 35-year program drought, while becoming the first team to beat Alabama in a national title game under head coach, Nick Saban.

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About the Contributor
Brian Wollitz, Sports Editor
Brian Wollitz is a junior at Loyola studying mass communication with a focus in journalism and a minor in music industry studies. Outside of the Maroon, Brian plays rugby for Loyola as well as playing keyboards and singing in his band Tight Squeeze, back home in Pacifica, California. Contact: [email protected] or @brian_wollitz

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