By William Schwartz ’17, Staff Writer

On Monday, January 9, 2017, the Clemson Tigers defeated the heavily favored Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff National Championship, earning their first national title in 35 years, and just the second in program history. The game, a rematch of last year’s thrilling 45-40 ‘Bama triumph, was a rare sequel that lived up to, and even surpassed, the original, providing dozens of memorable twists and turns ending in a 35-31 thriller. While Alabama led for the vast majority of the game by as much as 14 points, the Tigers went ahead for good with one second remaining after a gutsy call by coach Dabo Swinney to go for the win instead of sending the game to overtime with a chip-shot field goal. Clemson had dominated much of the second half, particularly in containing Alabama’s offense following the departure of injured star halfback Bo Scarborough. At the end of what will surely be remembered as a legendary drive, Swinney put the ball in the reliable hands of junior quarterback Deshaun Watson, who didn’t disappoint, as he threw a short touchdown to walk-on receiver Hunter Renfrow, which sealed the victory. This was the scrappy wideout’s tenth catch and second score of the night, and capped off a 21-point fourth quarter, prompting Tiger fans to erupt with so much vigor that the cameras literally shook.

Perhaps the biggest turning point, however, happened on Clemson’s previous drive, the one that gave them their first lead of the game which they held until Alabama’s freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts found the end zone on an electrifying 30-yard run. Brian Robusto ’18, resident football fanatic, stated that the biggest turning point was “the pass to Mike Williams for [about] 30 yards on the drive that put Clemson up for the first time. It was an insane catch and moved Clemson from their own 20 to Bama’s 40.” On this play, Williams, considered by many the best wide receiver in the upcoming NFL draft, leapt over an Alabama defensive back over the middle of the field, securing one of many wild catches by Tiger receivers on the final two drives. The huge catch, coupled with a 15-yard Alabama penalty, put Clemson in excellent position for the go-ahead score. The game, while considered by all to be one for the ages, was received very differently by members of the NA community. Andrew Hutchinson ’17 noted Clemson fan, joyfully noted that he “called it in August, against the advice of some of my classmates who shall not be named [potentially including this sportswriter]. Go Tigers!” On the other end of the spectrum, Charlie Bloom ’17, and Alabama Class of 2021, felt that “Bama’s defense is on a completely different level than their offense. However, I still believe that with the return of Hurts and Scarborough, who both have something to prove, Alabama will show up next season with a different attitude. The loss was a reality check. Bama will be back in the championship again, see you next year Tigers.” Matteo Moretti ‘17, a football enthusiast who had no particular bias in this game, noted that “it was a thrilling final quarter, and the fact that Bama hadn’t been behind in the fourth quarter once this year added a mental pressure that they couldn’t handle.” It was also the first time that the Tide had led at halftime and lost in their past 23 such games, and of course their first loss of the season, ruining their bid to become just the third team to go wire-to-wire in the past 82 years – being #1 in the preseason, after the championship, and every week in between.

It was a game packed with NFL-level talent, including Watson, who declared for the NFL draft shortly after the game. Considered by many to have been deserving of the Heisman Trophy, Watson validated this argument by playing more than admirably in the semifinal and championship game, racking up 463 total yards and 4 total touchdowns in his final outing. Meanwhile, Heisman winner Lamar Jackson, Louisville’s sophomore QB, turned in an absolutely miserable bowl performance. Watson is projected to be one of the best quarterbacks in this draft class. Scotty McGraw ’17, a Bleacher Report contributor, said he was “excited to see how well Clemson quarterback Deshaun Waston’s skills translate to the next level.” However, some skepticism comes with a quarterback like Watson, as he has relied on his legs for much of his college career. Not to say this type of quarterbacking style can’t have success in the NFL, but the last few quarterbacks who have played this way – Robert Griffin III, Johnny Manziel, and Colin Kaepernick – have not turned out to be sustainable NFL quarterbacks.

Both teams also featured pro-caliber linebackers – Clemson’s Ben Boluware, who made some remarkable reads of Alabama play calls, and Alabama’s Reuben Foster, who led all players with 12 tackles in the game, including a sack and a tackle for loss.  McGraw also noted that Alabama Linebacker Tim Williams is “probably not going to be Bama’s first guy off the board, but it will be particularly interesting to follow him through the draft process because he’s a specialized pass rusher. So, it will be intriguing to see how teams evaluate him.” Crimson Tide defensive end Jonathan Allen also projects as a high first-round pick, and terrorized the Clemson offensive line all night.

Clemson was considered by many a “team of destiny” this season. They came tantalizingly close to a championship a year ago, and are led by a charismatic head coach and a legendary, beloved quarterback playing his swan song season. They came dangerously close to losing almost every week, to seriously inferior teams, but managed to pull out the victory every week except once. And on one night in Tampa, this team’s destiny finally came together in a stunning performance that will not soon be forgotten. Clemson can finally again say that they are National Champions.