Antioch’s Harris makes most of 4th-quarter shot
Being on college football’s biggest stage didn’t seem to bother former Antioch High School alum Najee Harris on Monday night.
The freshman running back led Alabama in rushing with 64 yards on six carries despite not carrying the ball until the fourth quarter in Atlanta, where the Crimson Tide pulled out a 26-23 overtime victory over Georgia to claim the national championship.
Harris’ average of 10.7 yards per carry was easily the best in the game and included the longest run from scrimmage of the game, a 35-yarder that put the Tide at Georgia’s 14yard line with 10:20 left in the fourth quarter. That set up a field goal that cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 20-13.
Harris, the nation’s top recruit in the class of 2017, entered the game third on the team in rushing attempts and yards among running backs. With the national title on the line in the fourth quarter and overtime, Alabama head coach Nick Saban looked to the 6-foot-2, 227pounder more than his three other regular running backs.
Harris finished the season with 370 yards and three touchdowns on 61 carries. He also caught six passes for 45 yards.
President watches: President Trump attended the game, taking the field and standing with members of the military during the national anthem. He was greeted with a chorus of cheers mixed with some boos. He left the game shortly before halftime.
His visit was met by nearly 100 protesters before the game who shouted “No KKK, no fascist USA, no Trump” repeatedly in downtown Atlanta and at CNN Center. They were countered by Trump supporters yelling, “Make America Great Again.”
Police officers stood nearby and surveyed the action on the crowded sidewalk.
“I’m just against him. I don’t think he’s mentally fit. I don’t believe he has a brain capable of empathy,” said Jeanna Trugman, 58, donned in a pink hat like those worn at the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., last year.
Memorable night: Bradley Bozeman , an Alabama lineman, made the night even more memorable — he got engaged. He proposed to girlfriend Nikki Hegstetter on the field as his teammates celebrated after the game. She said yes.