Strong third quarter propels Alabama to victory over Clemson

NEW ORLEANS — Alabama used a strong third quarter to pull away from Clemson, and the Tigers never recovered as the Crimson Tide won 24-6 in the Sugar Bowl on Monday.

Alabama dominated the first quarter. Quarterback Jalen Hurts had a scramble and short completion to Henry Ruggs to move Alabama deep into Clemson territory. But the Tigers defense held from there, forcing a 24-yard field goal by Andy Pappanastos.

The Crimson Tide scored on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Hurts to Calvin Ridley after Hurts escaped trouble in the backfield and initially looked as if he might try to run it.

Alabama led 10-0 over Clemson in their College Football Playoff semifinal matchup going into the second quarter.

After being held to minus-7 yards in the first quarter, the Tigers picked up their initial first down on quarterback Kelly Bryant’s 20-yard scramble on third-and-12. That seemed to spark Clemson, which drove to the Alabama 27 before the drive stalled out.

Alex Spence connected on a 44-yard field goal that cut the Crimson Tide’s lead to 103 with 10 minutes left in the first half.

The Crimson Tide was held scoreless in the second after a field goal try hit one of the uprights.

Clemson trimmed Alabama’s lead to 10-6 early in the third quarter, thanks in part to a blunder by the Crimson Tide offense.

Hurts fumbled when he tried to pull the ball back after he’d started to hand off to Damien Harris. Clemson linebacker Kendall Joseph recovered on the Alabama 20.

However, Alabama’s defense forced Clemson backward five yards over the next three plays, and Clemson sent out Spence for a 42-yard field goal.

Alabama then took command of the game, getting a pair of touchdowns from defensive players just 13 seconds apart to take a 24-6 lead over the defending national champion.

The stunning turn of events actually began with 308-pound defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne picking off a wobbly pass after Bryant was hit as he threw.

Payne rumbled 21 yards on the return, which included an impressive open-field move to make running back Travis Etienne miss, and drew a 15-yard personal foul penalty as Tremayne Anchrum yanked him down with a horse collar.

After Alabama drove to first-and-goal at the Clemson 1, Payne re-entered the game — presumably to add another big body for blocking purposes. But Hurts faked the handoff, and Payne slipped open in the flat, hauling in the touchdown pass that gave the Tide a 17-6 lead.

On Clemson’s next offensive play, Bryant’s pass deflected off the hands of Deon Cain and was intercepted by linebacker Mack Wilson, who returned it 18 yards for a score.

Both teams went scoreless in the fourth.

Alabama will face Southeastern Conference rival Georgia for the national title next Monday night in Atlanta.