YEAR OF THE TIGERS

Clemson claws its way back to capture title

Tampa, Fla. — Clemson and Alabama offered quite an encore to the epic national championship game with a fantastic finish last year.

There was just one difference: The Clemson Tigers walked away with the national title.

Deshaun Jackson’s third touchdown pass of the night, a 2yard connection with Hunter Renfrow with 1 second remaining game the Tigers a thrilling 35-31 comeback victory over the Crimson Tide on Monday night at Raymond James Stadium.

At one point late in the third quarter, the Tigers trailed, 2414, after O.J. Howard scored on a 68-yard pass from Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Before that pass Hurts had completed just 9 of his first 23 pass for 49 yards.

Alabama did suffer a big loss on that drive though as tailback Bo Scarbrough left the game with a right leg injury.

Trainers tended to Scarbrough on the field before he got up and walked off under his own power. He had run for 93 yards and two first-half touchdowns before the injury.

Down down, Clemson started its comeback.

First, Watson hit Mike Williams with his second touchdown pass of the night to get the Tigers within 24-21 with 14 minutes left to play.

Wayne Gallman’s 1-yard plunge gave the Tigers a 28-24 lead over Alabama, the first time all night that Clemson — which trailed 14-0 early on — had been on top.

But Hurts put the Tide up, 3128, on a 30-yard touchdown run with 2:07 left.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Mike Williams (7) of Clemson celebrates his touchdown reception during the second half with Jordan Legget during the national title game.