O.J. Howard left wide open for long Alabama touchdown vs Clemson (Video)

Alabama tight end O.J. Howard was left wide open for the long go-ahead touchdown against Clemson in the title game

The Alabama Crimson Tide were looking to get something going right out of the gate in the second half of the College Football Playoff National Championship against the Clemson Tigers. Things were all knotted up at 14-14 coming out of halftime. However, the Tide and tight end O.J. Howard took advantage of a lapse by the Clemson secondary to come up with a timely big play.

Howard was always going to hitch-and-go down the right sideline, but he probably didn’t expect to be as open as he was as both the linebacker and cornerback bit on the ArDarius Stewart screen. That left the tight end all alone downfield for Jake Coker to drop an easy pass to him. Howard then rumbled up the sideline for six points to give Alabama the lead:

While that play is a blown coverage that happens relatively frequently in the college game, you have to wonder if a healthy Mackensie Alexander would’ve stayed home or been able to make a play had he not had to leave the game for the Tigers.

Alexander’s potential effect is irrelevant, though. The Crimson Tide took advantage of the lapse and the Howard score gave them the distinct advantage to start the second half of the title game.