National Championship Game, Alabama vs Clemson: Full highlights, final score and more.

The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Clemson Tigers to win the National Championship.

The National Championship Game lived up to the hype in every way possible.

The Clemson Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide played a classic in the desert, which saw great play after great play. Derrick Henry got the great plays started early for the Crimson Tide.

Henry busted off a 50-yard touchdown run straight through the Clemson defense to give Alabama the early 7-0 lead. Clemson came roaring back behind their star quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Watson found wide receiver Hunter Renfrow for a big touchdown catch over Alabama defenders down the sideline deep for Clemson’s first score on the night. Clemson would then have great field position off of a missed field goal and used the good field goal position as they marched down the field.

Watson found Renfrow wide open in the middle of the end zone, which suddenly gave Clemson an early 14-7 lead. After a costly interception by Watson, Henry punched in another score from the goal line to tie the game. Before the end of the half, Clemson would lose arguably their best cover corner in Mackensie Alexander to a nagging leg injury.

After Clemson punted to start the second half of the game, they also blew coverage on defense too. Alabama tight end O.J. Howard was left wide open and he sprinted 53 yards for a touchdown.

Clemson wouldn’t lose composure and scored 10 unanswered points, including running back Wayne Gallman rushing in from one yard out.

Just when it looked like Clemson had Alabama for the taking, the Crimson tide pulled off some incredible plays. After they kicked a field goal to tie the game, the Crimson Tide successfully caught Clemson off guard with an onside kick

A couple plays later, Howard was left uncovered yet again and sprinted 51 yards for a touchdown. The Crimson Tide were suddenly rolling and it looked like Clemson was imploding.

The Tigers would kick a field goal to pull within four, but Alabama landed a big blow when Kenyan Drake returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.

Suddenly, the Crimson Tide were up 11 and Clemson needed to move fast. Clemson did just that and got into Alabama territory on a big reception by Gallman. Watson would find Artavis Scott and it was 38-33 after the missed two-point conversion.

With around 4 minutes left and a chance to stop Alabama to get the ball back, Clemson allowed Howard to get deep into their own territory on a long catch and run. Henry would get the ball over the line for a 45-33 lead. Clemson would tack on one more score to make it 45-40 and that would be all, as Alabama would go onto win College Football National Championship and their fourth in seven years.

Highlights

"95 yards!!!!"

Three Stars

Jake Coker had a big game at quarterback for Alabama. With over 300 yards and two touchdowns, he found the wide open guy all night. More importantly, he protected the football all night, which allowed Alabama to stay on top late against a tough Clemson defense.

Derrick Henry had another big night for the Crimson Tide on the ground. He had the 50-yard touchdown to get Alabama on the board and he carried the rock 36 times for 158 yards and three touchdowns.

Every time it looked like Clemson might take command of the game, tight end O.J. Howard was there to make the big catch. He was left wide open for two big catches and he made another long catch and run, which set up the Alabama win. Howard finished with five receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns.

Betting Odds

Alabama came into the game as a 6.5-point favorite. With the 45-40 win, Alabama did not cover the spread.