35-31 on a 2 yard pass play that will be talked about by Clemson Faithful for years to come! After 8 years of fighting and clawing, the 2016 Clemson Tigers can place their flag all the way at the top of the College Football mountain. What a game the National Championship turned out to be, in fact it was the best football championship game since the 2006 National championship which ended with Texas upsetting USC. This years National Championship was a rematch of just a year ago, where many in the college football world thought all Clemson needed was one more possession to win. This year with one second on the clock in the fourth quarter Clemson removed all doubt that they were supposed to be there. The question is, with college football now over for the year, would you like to see these two teams make it back for the third time to settle the series which now stands at 1-1 for both teams? Is there a dark horse for next year? Lastly, was last nights performance a statement from Deshaun Watson to the Heisman Committee that they messed up this year?
The road to the National Championship wasn't easy for the Tigers, after Deshaun Watson led Clemson on a six play, 88 yard drive, that was highlighted by a 26 yard beautiful catch by receiver Mike Williams and capped off by a Wayne Gallmanscore to make it 28-24 Tigers. The tried and true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts came out onto the field poised and marched his team down the field capping it off with a 30 yard scamper to regain the lead for the Tide, making it 31-28 with 2:31 to play in the game. The two time Heisman finalist walked onto the field for what is assumed to be his last drive in a Clemson uniform, and with no urgency at all marched his team down the field. A pass interference call in the end zone placed the ball first and goal from the two yard line. A designed sprint out against man to man coverage was all Watson would need. Former walk-on wide receiver Hunter Renfrow would come open almost immediately and it was an easy pitch and catch for what would be the deciding factor in the National Championship. An onside kick recovered by Clemson that took no time off the clock, gave a fitting way for Clemson to end its season. Watson had to take one more snap but this time is was in victory formation. 35-31 the final score and for this year a new champion sits atop the mountain of college football.
“Eight years ago we set out to put Clemson back on top” said Swinney, who was visibly struck with all sorts of emotions immediately following the game. “We came up a little short last year, but today on top of the mountain, the Clemson flag is flying.” That flag was carried to the top of the mountain by Deshaun Watson Throwing for 420 yards on 36-56, 3 touchdown passes, and 45 rushing yards and a score. The man got beat on all game long and still kept coming back for more. He was hit in the head, he was under constant pressure, he even at one point looked John Elway esque when he was helicoptered following a rushing attempt for a first down. The resilience and leadership Watson showed as the game went on was definitely a statement to all that doubted him and the Clemson Tigers, as they now have their second national title in program history, first since 1981. The Tigers played the winners of the last seven national champions, Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State, and Auburn and beat all of them on their way to this national title. Who is the front runner next year? Did Monday's game change the draft stock of Deshaun Watson?
Written by:
Carlo Guadagnino
http://cguadagn.wixsite.com/carlo-guadagnino
Edited by:
Alaina Roberts
Daniel Bishop M.A.
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