TAMPA, Florida — Clemson shocked Alabama with one second left in regulation. Quarterback Deshaun Watson was able to hit wide receiver Hunter Renfrow on a two-yard touchdown pass with one second remaining to give the Clemson Tigers a 35-31 win in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at the Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida.
Star quarterback Deshaun Watson led Clemson throwing 420 yards despite facing a defense heralded as one of the best ever. With two minutes left and they were trailing by 3 points, Watson got the ball at his own 32 and started a drive. Nine plays and 68 yards later, with 1 second on the clock, Hunter Renfrow caught a 2-yard touchdown to win the game.
The touchdown on the 9-play 68-yard drive came just after Alabama capped a crazy 68-yard drive of its own to take a 31-28 lead with 2:07 to play.
Clemson’s win avenges a 45-40 defeat to the Tide a year ago in the national title game. And it gives credence to Clemson coach Dabo Swinney’s comparison that the two college football heavyweights were like famous boxers Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.
