Clemson Defeats Alabama In Final Seconds by Camdyn Ames
Deshaun Watson took the shotgun snap, rolled right, looking, looking, and firing. Boom Hunter Renfrow touchdown! The Tigers had done it they had beaten Alabama! As the clock settled at 0:01 Alabama seemed as if their hearts were ripped out. On the other sideline Clemson was partying like it was 1981. The Crimson Tide entered the game as a 6.5 point favorite to beat the Tigers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay. The Tide struck first as powerful running back Bo Scarbrough pounded his way to a 25-yard touchdown run. Bo added to his night with a 37-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to take a 14-0 lead. Deshaun Watson had enough of the Bama defense and ran for an 8-yard score to cut the lead to 7. The Tide opened up the second half with a 27-yard Adam Griffith field goal to take a 17-7 lead. But Hunter Renfrow cut that lead to just 3 with a 24-yard touchdown catch. OJ Howard struck again this year and this time he made the lead 10 points with a 68-yard touchdown reception. The fourth quarter started with a bang as Junior Mike Williams caught a 4-yard touchdown to again cut the lead to 3. After a few punts the Tigers got the ball back and Wayne Gallman took the lead with a 1-yard touchdown run with 4:38 remaining. The Freshman quarterback stepped up for the Crimson Tide though with a shifty 30-yard touchdown run to regain the lead. As the Tide were up 31-28 Deshaun Watson knew that this was his moment. Watson went 6 for 9 and throwing for 50 yards. The Tigers were at the Alabama 2-yard line with 0:06 seconds remaining. Watson took the shotgun snap, rolled right, looking, looking, and firing to a wide open Hunter Renfrow for the Clemson touchdown. Alabama had been defeated. The 26-game winning streak was no more, and Watson finally won that National Championship he’d been craving since High School. Watson finished 36-56, with 420 yards, and 3 passing touchdowns. Deshaun and teammate Ben Boulware both won game MVP. The Clemson Tigers are the 2017 College Football Playoff National Champions!
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By Camdyn Ames
