Five keys that led to Alabama’s National Championship victory
By John Buhler
4. Eddie Jackson’s second quarter interception
In the second quarter, the Clemson Tigers seemed to have the momentum in their favor. The Tigers were able to gather themselves after Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry’s 50-yard rushing touchdown for the games’ first points.
Clemson’s Heisman Finalist quarterback Deshaun Watson was hot early for the Tigers and did everything in his power to claw and fight for his team the entire night. However, he did end up throwing a costly interception to Alabama defensive back Eddie Jackson in the second quarter of the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship that seemed to even things out from a momentum standpoint for both schools before halftime.
It was as much of Watson trying to force a ball as it was Jackson making a great play on it. In a game that featured only one turnover, naturally it ended up being in the victor’s favor. What that Jackson pick did for Alabama was it gave the Tide great field position that later set up a one-yard touchdown run for Henry, his second of three rushing touchdowns in the game.
Rather than being down by probably two scores with the way that Watson was slinging the pigskin, Alabama was able to tie the game at 14 points apiece on Henry’s touchdown, which became the score of the game at halftime. Both teams did a great job in terms of taking care of the football. Jackson’s interception created at least a seven-point swing in favor of the Tide, perhaps providing the difference in what became only a five-point victory for Alabama over Clemson.
Next: 3. O.J. Howard's 200-yard receiving game