The Alabama Crimson Tide are the college football national champions. (Getty)
Final Score
2 Alabama Crimson Tide 7-7-7-24 — 45
1 Clemson Tigers 14-0-10-16 — 40
Box Score
The Alabama Crimson Tide are the college football national champions. It was not the dominant performance we have come to expect from Alabama, but the Crimson Tide displayed resiliency to come from behind in the second half to take home the championship.
Both quarterbacks played extremely well. Jacob Coker was 16-of-25 for 335 yards and two touchdowns for Alabama. DeShaun Watson was 30-of-47 for 405 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. He also had 73 rushing yards in a losing effort.
Derrick Henry had 36 carries for 158 yards and three touchdowns.
Here’s how Alabama became the 2015 college football national champions:
Derrick Henry Scored a 50-Yard Touchdown
Henry took it to the house early in the first quarter to put Alabama on the board first. He sprinted up the middle of the Clemson defense and went into the endzone untouched.
DeShaun Watson Answered Back With a Touchdown Pass
Watson found Hunter Renfrow for about a 25-yard touchdown pass. It tied the game 7-7 midway through the first quarter.
Henry Tied the Game at 14
After Renfrow scored a second touchdown for Clemson, Henry got the short yardage touchdown for the Crimson Tide. It was 14-14 in the middle of the second quarter. The score stayed tied at 14 heading into halftime.
Alabama Took a Chance & Converted a Pooch Kick
Nick Saban calmed down the Crimson Tide faithful with this pooch kick. The game was tied when Alabama attempted the kick. They had just kicked a field goal to tie the game in the fourth quarter.
Alabama recovered the ball but by rule could not advance it. Two plays later they scored to take a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Henry Sealed the National Championship With His Third Touchdown
Henry’s second effort on this touchdown gave the Crimson Tide a two possession lead with just over a minute remaining in the game. Henry had three touchdowns during the game.