TAMPA – A walk-on defeated toppled the dynasty that is Alabama football. A walk-on denied Nick Saban his fifth National Championship. A walk-on won Clemson their first National Championship in 35 years.
Hunter Renfrow made the difference. Now he’s a champion.
Alabama’s quest for a fifth national title since Nick Saban took over the program in 2007 took them to Raymond James Stadium on Monday night, where they entered as the favorite to repeat.
Clemson wouldn’t let that happen in the fourth quarter, scoring 21 points to topple the Crimson Tide 35-30. Deshaun Watson tossed for three touchdowns and 420 yards, later declaring for the NFL Draft after the game.
The Tigers’ opening drive stalled on fourth down early with an interesting play call from Dabo Sweeney, letting Wayne Gallman carry it from the Alabama 41 instead of punting the ball away.
Bo Scarbrough capitalized on it three plays later via a 25-yard rushing touchdown, dragging several defenders on his way to the end zone. Watson’s fumble set Alabama up in good field position, but it was one of the few times that Alabama couldn’t take advantage of it on the season.
Scarbrough scored for the second time on the evening on a 37-yard touchdown rumble down the field that gave the Tide a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. Aside from those runs, Scarbrough was limited to only 31 rushing yards for the rest of the evening before going down with an injury in the third – finishing with 93.
Then it was Clemson’s turn for a long drive. Watson found Tampa Bay Tech alum Deon Cain for 43 yards that set up Clemson in Alabama territory. Watson to Jordan Leggett for 26, Watson to Mike Williams for five. He did the rest himself, taking it eight yards to give the Tigers their first points of the championship.
It would remain 14-7 Alabama at the half.
On their opening drive of the third quarter, Clemson fumbled deep in their own territory. Their defense would bend, but not break, limiting the Crimson Tide to a 27-yard field goal from Adam Griffith to extend their lead to ten.
A short 30-yard punt let Clemson set up shop at their 42. They would need only four plays to power it in. Watson to Renfrow from 24 yards away forced ‘Bama to account for the walk-on.
Following that, a breakdown in coverage led to a 68-yard pass from Jalen Hurts to O.J. Howard and a 24-14 Alabama lead through the third. It would be Hurts’ only touchdown on the evening, finishing 13-for-31 with 131 yards in the air. He added 63 on the ground.
East Lake alum Artavis Scott trimmed the Alabama led 24-21 when he caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Watson, ending the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was all Clemson. Watson rushed down to the Alabama one-yard line with five minutes to play, which would be powered in by Gallaman from the one.
Alabama would respond.
Saban’s crew would move methodically down the field 68 yards on six plays before Hurts powered it 30 yards into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown for Alabama.
But the Tigers would not be denied of a touchdown and the victory. Only needing a field goal to force the game into overtime, Watson quickly passed to Leggett, then Williams, then Scott, then Renfrow, then Leggett again until Clemson had the ball at the ‘Bama two. One second was all they needed.
Watson took the snap and rolled out to his right, looking for Renfrow, connecting with him for the yards they needed and the championship they had desired.
The 35-31 victory denied Alabama the championship, the first time anyone has beaten Alabama after they lead by 10-plus points going into the fourth quarter. Saban drops to 97-1 in that regard.
Four Clemson WRs had over 90 yards of passing at the end of the game, Leggett (7 rec., 95 yards), Williams (8 rec., 94 yards, TD), Cain (5 rec., 94 yards), and Renfrow (10 rec., 92 yards, 2 TD).