Clemson cements itself among college football's greatest
Heading into tonight’s game, Clemson’s task was colossal: overthrow the greatest college football coach and program in history.
Not only did the Tigers beat the Tide, they crushed them on both sides of the ball.
Trevor Lawrence threw for 347 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. His number one target Justyn Ross was electric, grabbing 153 yards on six receptions.
On defense, the Tigers’ defensive line smothered Tua Tagovailoa, both through the air and on the ground. Three crucial stops on fourth down snuffed out any momentum Nick Saban tried to build.
While the majority of Clemson’s D Line will inevitably declare for the NFL Draft in April, Lawrence and Ross will remain in South Carolina for at least the next two years, meaning Clemson has established itself as one of the true great, and it isn’t going anywhere.
That’s it for tonight. Thanks for joining us. You can read a full report from tonight’s game below:
Updated
Final: Clemson 44-16 Alabama
That’s it. Clemson routs Alabama by 28 points. Bama players are stunned, were blown away by the explosive Tigers offense.
Game summary coming shortly...
Clemson 44-16 Alabama, 2:40 4th quarter
Starters out, reserves in for the Tigers. And there could yet be more to come as Clemson has a 3rd & 4 on the Alabama 11.
Holy smokes. Clemson has two more years of Trevor Lawrence.
Trevor Lawrence: 741 passing yards, 6 TD passes in two playoff games.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) January 8, 2019
Jalen Hurts takes the field for Alabama with 11 and change left, but goes three and out, and Alabama is forced to punt.
Rough night for Tua. Those two interceptions, and multiple failures on fourth down will him.
Untypical of Tua this season, who had the best passer rating (an often flawed metric) since 2000.
Clemson 44-16 Alabama, 11:12 4th quarter
Clemson goes three and out and Alabama will take over on its own 52.
The Crimson Tide must score a touchdown on this next possession.
Drake curse?
Clemson Twitter having some fun...
Someone get this man a shirt with a Tiger Paw quick pic.twitter.com/VDx2dD7Iv4
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) January 8, 2019
Clemson 44-16 Alabama, 12:17 4th quarter
Unbelievable defense by the Tigers.
Alabama opens up with an impressive drive all the way to the red zone. With a 1st & goal, three successive runs are all stopped by Clemson, and Alabama somehow comes up empty handed.
Turnover on downs. Clemson takes over at its own nine-yard line.
Updated
Clemson 44-16 Alabama, end of 3rd quarter
Big play to end the quarter by Jerry Jeudy with a 48-yard reception. But is it too late?
One thing for sure is that Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t found his rhythm all night.
Heading into the game, Alabama had five receivers with at least 500 yards, giving Tua seemingly limitless options.
Through three quarters, Bama has only three receivers with more than 40 yards.
Is this the best quarterback performance in a national title game by a freshman? What about ever?
Trevor Lawrence, true freshman, national title game vs. Alabama: 18-of-28 for 347 yards, three TDs and 0 INTs.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) January 8, 2019
TOUCHDOWN! Clemson 44-16 Alabama
Trevor Lawrence finds Tee Higgins for the five-yard reception! Clemson up four scores now.
A reminder that Lawrence is 19 years old.
Clemson 37-16 Alabama, 2:12 3rd quarter
Justyn Ross makes ANOTHER insane catch at the Alabama 20.
The Tide’s defense is scrambling yet again, and forces Nick Saban to spend a timeout to catch up. Not want you want if you’re a Bama fan.
Clemson 37-16 Alabama, 2:46 3rd quarter
Ross almost turns into a villain by fumbling the ball after stretching for the extra yard. BUT after review, he was ruled down.
Clemson 3rd & 9 at the Alabama 37.
Clemson 37-16 Alabama, 3:24 3rd quarter
Justyn Ross makes an amazing catch over his shoulder to give the Tigers a first down at around the Alabama 40.
The freshman Justyn Ross now has 135 yards on four receptions.
Updated
Clemson 37-16 Alabama, 4:01 3rd quarter
Alabama has taken more than eight minutes off the game clock so far this half and has come up empty on two fourth downs. Hate to say it, but this one looks like it’s headed back to the state of South Carolina. (I really hope I don’t have to eat it.)
Clemson 37-16 Alabama, 5:04 3rd quarter
After the timeout, Tua fails to convert on the 4th & 4 with his legs and falls a yard short.
Clemson takes over at its own 11. Another huge play by the Tigers’ D.
Updated
Clemson 37-16 Alabama, 8:26 3rd quarter
Couple of big throws for Tagovailoa is a great sign for Bama. 1st & 10 on the Clemson 20.
Part of the reason Clemson has crushed the Alabama defense is because of its incredibly balanced offense. I hope I don’t eat my words, but this looks like Clemson’s title.
We hadn’t had a touchdown through first six minutes of the second half and we were all about to switch our TVs / streams off.
But the ferocious Clemson offense has other ideas. They look absolutely unstoppable!
TOUCHDOWN! Clemson 37-16 Alabama
Clemson 37-16 Alabama, 8:26 3rd quarter
The Alabama native Justyn Ross goes for 74 yards on the reception to break this game wide open!
Clemson misses the PAT.
Updated
Clemson 31-16 Alabama, 9:47 3rd quarter
Review is confirmed. An immediate questionable call by Saban to fake on the field goal attempt. Clemson snuffs it out to regain the ball on its own 24.
I must say, I’ve watched a lot of Alabama football over the years, and haven’t seen this number of questionable calls from Saban. We’re in unchartered territory for sure.
Updated
Clemson 31-16 Alabama, 10:08 3rd quarter
Play is under review. The officials are looking at whether DeVonta Smith fumbled at the Clemson 22 before he was down after a three-yard reception. Smith recovered his own fumble, so no alarm for Bama fans.
Clemson 31-16 Alabama, 12:30 3rd quarter
Another gamble for Saban as Alabama convert on 4th & inches and have a first down at the Clemson 38.
Clemson 31-16 Alabama
Second half underway. Alabama begins at its own 25-yard line. So many questions are about to be answered.
Resurfacing this chart. Alabama has lost just EIGHT GAMES in the past NINE SEASONS under Saban. Dabo Swiney’s Clemson hasn’t read the script and has ripped Bama’s defense to shreds.
My former colleague at FiveThirtyEight puts some context on the hole Nick Saban currently finds himself in...
Last time Bama was down 15+ at the half was 11/19/2005 vs. Auburn. (Nick Saban was coaching the Miami Dolphins then.)
— Neil Paine (@Neil_Paine) January 8, 2019
Half time analysis:
Clemson leads by 15 points and the difference so far has been Trevor Lawrence.
After throwing for 327 yards and three touchdowns against Notre Dame in the semi-finals, the true freshman is 11-21 and has thrown for 197 yards, including a touchdown and no interceptions.
A reminder that Lawrence is just 19 years old and was in high school this time last year.
For Alabama, they came into the game with five receivers with at least 500 yards on the season, but Tua Tagovailoa has only managed to find three receivers so far, while being picked off twice.
I expect more fireworks to come.
Updated
Half time Clemson 31-16 Alabama
Clemson 31-16 Alabama
Nick Saban lets the clock run down and will get the ball first in the second half.
This is Alabama’s largest deficit all season and I think it’s fair to say they’ve met their match.
Alabama has allowed more than 30 points in consecutive games for the first time since final 2 games of 2013 season - losses to Auburn (34-28) & OU (45-31 in Sugar Bowl)
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 8, 2019
Field goal (Clemson) Clemson 31-16 Alabama
Clemson 31-16 Alabama, 0:50, 2nd quarter
36-yard field goal to cap a 61-yard drive for the Tigers.
That was an important stop for Alabama. The Tide has been run ragged through the first 30 minutes, and was key to build some momentum heading into halftime.
Clemson 28-16 Alabama, 1:49, 2nd quarter
Trevor Lawrence makes the completion to Justyn Ross for 12 yards to the Alabama 48 for a first down. Tack on 15 yards for the late hit out of bounds.
The Bama defense looks perplexed.
Clemson 28-16 Alabama, 2:10, 2nd quarter
Trayvon Mullen makes the sack! Alabama is forced to punt. Clemson will get the ball back with a little more than two minutes to go in the half.
Clemson’s defense has been ferocious all season and leads the nation in sacks.
More on Tua Tagovailoa’s elite touchdown-to-interception ratio through the season. Hasn’t worked out so far against the Tigers though...
Updated
TOUCHDOWN! Clemson 28-16 Alabama
Clemson 28-16 Alabama, 4:38, 2nd quarter
Travis Etienne barrels in for his second touchdown. The Clemson offense is on fire!
I mentioned earlier that the Tigers were scoring on so few plays that Alabama still looked fresh. I take that back. The Bama D looks gassed. Half time can’t come quick enough.
Updated
Clemson 21-16 Alabama, 5:10, 2nd quarter
Clemson is driving, has a first down at the Alabama six-yard line.
That’s two interceptions already for Tagovailoa, who had one of the best touchdown-to-interception ratios in the nation coming into this game.
Saban has repeatedly told his sophomore quarterback that he doesn’t need to win the game on his own, so perhaps this will change the offensive strategy going forward.
INTERCEPTION! (Clemson)
Clemson 21-16 Alabama, 8:40, 2nd quarter
Tua throws his second pick of the game as Trayvon Mullen returns for 46 yards to the Alabama 47-yard line.
Updated
Clemson 21-16 Alabama, 9:25, 2nd quarter
Nick Saban goes for it on 4th down and it pays off. Alabama has a first down on its own 35 yard line. Big gamble in what is a show of respect for the Clemson offense.
Clemson 21-16 Alabama, 11:38, 2nd quarter
One development to follow: Clemson has made just 16 plays for its two offensive TDs. That’s great, and is of course the priority, but the Tigers aren’t wearing down Alabama’s defense. But will it matter?
TOUCHDOWN! Clemson 21-16 Alabama
Clemson 21-16 Alabama, 11:38, 2nd quarter
Etienne walks in for the 1-yard touchdown. Six plays and 65 yards for Clemson on that drive.
Updated
Field goal (Alabama) Clemson 14-16 Alabama
Clemson 14-16 Alabama, 14:18, 2nd quarter
Clemson snuffs out the run to force a field goal.
The running back duo of Damien and Najee Harris has been extremely effective so far for the Tide. They have a combined 56 yards on 10 carries.
Interesting that coming into the game, it was Clemson who had the more balanced offense.
Updated
Clemson 14-13 Alabama, end of 1st quarter
A frenetic first quarter comes to an end. Four touchdowns and 27 points.
Alabama currently in the red zone with a 3rd & goal at the six-yard line.
We can all take a breath now.
Updated
Clemson 14-13 Alabama, 5:25, 1st quarter
Alabama gets the ball back down one point. A disappointing series for Lawrence and Clemson, whose sideline is animated over what they think was a pass interference.
Tua has looked terrific in the red zone so far. Another look at the FOURTH touchdown in the game already...
Four TDs. Less than 10 minutes into the game.
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) January 8, 2019
This is fun 🍿 pic.twitter.com/252At1y5Xa
Updated
TOUCHDOWN! Clemson 14-13 Alabama
Clemson 14-13 Alabama, 6:23, 1st quarter
Tua Tagovailoa throws to Hale Hentges for 1 yard, but the freshman Joseph Bulovas MISSES the extra point. Wow. How important may that prove to be?
Clemson 14-7 Alabama, 6:37, 1st quarter
We have a possible touchdown run, which is currently under review. Certainly looks like Najee Harris was down before breaking the end zone.
Updated
Clemson 14-7 Alabama, 7:17, 1st quarter
Alabama is driving... Tua has looked really comfortable since the pick and looks threatening at Clemson’s 10 yard line.
We knew there would be fireworks, but this pace is crazy! Here’s a recap of the THREE touchdowns in the first five minutes.
PICK-SIX! A.J. Terrell takes it 42 yards to the house for a 7-0 Clemson lead. pic.twitter.com/ChSs6N6r6x
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 8, 2019
This is how you rebound after throwing a pick six pic.twitter.com/qD7O71gsIZ
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) January 8, 2019
TOUCHDOWN! Clemson 14-7 Alabama
Clemson 14-7 Alabama, 10:35, 1st quarter
Lawrence finds Tee Higgins for a huge 62-yard gain. And then Travis Etienne rushes for 17 yards into the endzone.
Clemson 7-7 Alabama, 11:59, 1st quarter
Lawrence makes his first completion, but it’s brought back for a tripping penalty.
TOUCHDOWN! Clemson 7-7 Alabama
Clemson 7-7 Alabama, 12:05, 1st quarter
Tua Tagovailoa throws for 62 yards to Jerry Jeudy for the touchdown.
What. A. Start.
Updated
Alabama 0-7 Clemson, 13:10, 1st quarter
Damien Harris runs for 10 yards to get the 1st down.
Clemson 0-7 Alabama, 13:10, 1st quarter
Wow, what a start. A.J. Terrell picks off Tua Tagovailoa and returns 44 yards for the touchdown. Dabo Swinney ecstatic.
Updated
TOUCHDOWN! Alabama 0-7 Clemson
Tua Tagovailoa is picked off and Clemson returns to the house!
Tigers up 7-0.
Updated
Biiigggg punt for Clemson. Alabama fair catches on its own 20 yard line. Tua takes the field.
Lawrence fails his first test. Clemson goes three and out.
Fair catch to start things off. Trevor Lawrence and the Clemson offense take the field.
Kickoff
Alabama wins the toss. Clemson will receive.
Some big-time NFL names on opposite sidelines tonight.
Julio Jones won a national title with the Tide in 2009. Terrell Owens played his college ball at Chattanooga, but was born 100 miles from Tuscaloosa in Alexander City.
Both @juliojones_11 and @terrellowens are on the Bama sideline to roll with the Tide 💯 pic.twitter.com/NXNatqCbAd
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 8, 2019
On the Clemson touchline, Tiger-royalty DeAndre Hopkins and 2016 national title winner Deshaun Watson.
🙌 @deshaunwatson @DeAndreHopkins #ALLIN#ClemsonFamily pic.twitter.com/MTQWFrrtOS
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) January 8, 2019
The legendary Lee Corso picks Clemson. Apparently he hasn’t been wrong all season...
🚨CORSO PICKS CLEMSON🚨 pic.twitter.com/M3Koe5liu9
— SI College Football (@si_ncaafb) January 8, 2019
FiveThirtyEight does a nice job of summarising how close Alabama vs Clemson IV could be. They have the Tide as a 51% “favourite”...
Alabama: 51%
— FiveThirtyEight (@FiveThirtyEight) January 8, 2019
Clemson: 49%https://t.co/HvXRk9xQfZ
Ten minutes until kick off. This gave me some chills...
CLEMSON IS READY! 🐅 pic.twitter.com/UbjulYsgVP
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) January 8, 2019
Ticket prices for Alabama vs Clemson IV fell dramatically leading up to the game. Likely factors are the fact that Santa Clara is more than 2,000 miles from either Tuscaloosa and Clemson and, well, this is the fourth straight year we’re doing this. Last time I checked on Seat Geek, cheapest ticket was $134 for nosebleeds.
A measure of Alabama’s greatness under Nick Saban...
True freshman Trevor Lawrence has had a special season. He’s one of only four freshman since 2000 to throw for at least 2900 yards, have a passer rating of at least 150 and complete 65% of his passes. The other three: Jameis Winston, Johnny Manziel and Kellen Moore. Trevor Lawrence is good.
I managed to catch an Alabama game in Tuscaloosa in October. Let me just say, although they beat my beloved Missouri Tigers (M-I-Z!), Bama fans show up! Things are heating up with around 40 minutes to kick off.
A taste of Alabama in Santa Clara. pic.twitter.com/JABna4BtdJ
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) January 8, 2019
Here’s what another national title would mean for both schools...
As for Dabo Swinney — the Birmingham, Alabama-born Clemson head coach — who played three years as a wide receiver for the Crimson Tide, and was also part of their coaching staff from 1993 to 2000. What must be going through his mind right now as he aims to topple his childhood team for a second time in four years?
Preamble
Hello, and welcome to live coverage of the national championship game. As well as, um, the national title there’s a little bit of history on the line tonight.
If Alabama win a sixth title since 2009 tonight, their head coach Nick Saban will break a tie with the legendary Bear Bryant for the most in history (Saban also won a title with LSU in 2003).
Not that Saban is thinking too much about history. “I don’t ever even think about that at all,” said Saban, who is in his 12th season at Alabama. “I do think a lot about trying to make and help this team to be the best possible and to put them in the best possible position to have a chance to be successful.”
