Five keys that led to Alabama’s National Championship victory
By John Buhler
5. Derrick Henry’s 50-yard touchdown run
While 2015 Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry had a great day on the ground for the Alabama Crimson Tide with 36 carries for 158 yards and three touchdowns, it was his first paydirt of the evening that set the tone for the Crimson Tide’s 16th National Championship to date.
Henry had to bruise his way the whole night against a fantastic front seven of the Clemson Tigers, but was able to put up a highlight reel worthy run early in the first quarter. He found a gigantic hole between the right guard and right tackle, exploding to the secondary almost immediately en route to a 50-yard rushing touchdown to give Alabama their first points of the National Championship Game.
Henry built his Heisman campaign on being able to eviscerate opponents with his crushing downhill running style. He saw that gaping hole and nothing was going to slow him down on that impressive 50-yard scamper; one blink and he was gone!
For a game in which Henry took quite the punishment, rushing for only 4.4 yards per carry, his first touchdown was another magical run to cap off one of the greatest seasons ever for a running back in college football. No. 2 had the biggest run of the night for the No. 2 Crimson Tide in their 16th National Championship to date, the fourth in the Nick Saban era.
Next: 4. Eddie Jackson's second quarter interception