Deshaun Watson found Hunter Renfrow with one second remaining to propel Clemson to the National Championship against Alabama.
- Clemson Tigers 35 (14-1)
- Alabama Crimson Tide 31 (14-1)
- NCAA, National Championship, Final, Box Score
- Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Reminiscent of the 2005 National Championship Game that featured Vince Young go back and forth with the mighty UCS Trojans but ultimately stun them at the end, the 2016 version brought on the same vibes.
After falling down early and trailing by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter, Deshaun Watson and the Clemson Tigers exacted their revenge. When Watson found gritty Hunter Renfro for the 3-yard TD with just one-second remaining, the Tigers knew they had just been crowned college football champs by dethroning the Alabama Crimson Tide.
CLEMSON WINS the #NationalChampionship!!!!! #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/i0AZGNRPlF
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) January 10, 2017
CLEMSON DOES IT! ?#NationalChampionship https://t.co/h62u9x1Vcb
— Eastbay (@Eastbay) January 10, 2017
Watson even referenced Young from 12 years ago during the postgame celebration.
The TD came following a miraculous touchdown drive by Alabama, culminating in a Jalen Hurts 30-yard touchdown run with just 2:07 to go.
ARE YOU SERIOUS, JALEN HURTS?! @AlabamaFTBL takes the lead right back, 31-28. #SidelineCam https://t.co/GXEaDJafxf
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) January 10, 2017
It was a six play, 88-yard drive that put the Tigers on top prior to the Hurts score. The capper ended up in the form of a Wayne Gallman goalline plunge that gave Clemson its first lead of the game.
Bama’s conservative formula of tough defense, field position, and smart offensive execution worked through three quarters. Their chances were dinged up once starting running back and beast of a kid Bo Scarbrough left the game via injury.
Watson finished the night 420 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions on 36-of-56 throwing. He also chipped in with 43 yards on the ground.
Mike Williams, perhaps the best wideout in the nation, was amazing. He made incredible catch time and again, finishing with eight grabs for 94 yards and a touchdown. Renfrow, the tough little guy who caught the game-winner that’ll be remembered forever, finished with two touchdowns and 92 yards on 10 hauls.
What turned out to be a slow snoozer to begin transformed into an instant classic. In all likelihood, Deshaun Watson will forego his senior season and enter the NFL Draft as a champ.
NATIONAL. CHAMPIONS.
Clemson takes down Alabama 35-31 to win its first #NationalChampionship since 1981! pic.twitter.com/LA4EzJUVtH
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) January 10, 2017
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) January 10, 2017
.@ESPNCFB Joe Tess reacted appropriately. https://t.co/O8MQmN6Ubv
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 10, 2017
BRUH, MIKE WILLIAMS! pic.twitter.com/24cOUCoF4q
— The Sports Quotient (@SportsQuotient) January 10, 2017
Mike Williams Draft Stock ↗️ https://t.co/8CnR4wWkwC
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) January 10, 2017
