CLEMSON EARNS REMATCH WITH ALABAMA
Associated Press
GLENDALE, Ariz. — In a return trip to the desert, Clemson found redemption in utter domination.
Part I of the make- good tour is done. Now comes the really hard part: A rematch against Alabama in the College Football Playoff national- championship game.
Deshaun Watson ran for two touchdowns and threw another and No. 3 Clemson crushed No. 2 Ohio State 31- 0 Saturday night in the Fiesta Bowl.
Coach Dabo Swinney had sold his players on getting to celebrate at the same site where they lost to Alabama in the national- title game last season. This time they get the confetti shower and the trophy. With that taken care of, it is on to Tampa, Florida, for the Tigers, where they will face the top- ranked Crimson Tide on Jan. 9.
“We’re excited. If you’re ever going to be the best, you’ve got to beat them,” Swinney said.
In what figures to be Watson’s final college game, he will try to lead Clemson to its first national title since 1981. The junior and Heisman Trophy runner- up passed for 259 yards and ran for 57 against the Buckeyes ( 11- 2), who could not keep Clemson’s big and quick defensive line out of their backfield.
Freshman Clelin Ferrell had a sack among his three tackles for loss and Clemson allowed only 215 yards and nine first downs. The Buckeyes were shut out for the first time since 1993 against Michigan and Urban Meyer had one of his teams held scoreless for the first time in 194 games as a head coach.
“I’m not used to it. We’re not used it. It’s not going to happen again,” Meyer said.
Watson made it 24- 0 with 2: 06 left in the third when he faked a pitch, cut through a hole and into the end zone from seven yards out. He hopped through the back of the end zone and did a little dance in front of the Ohio State section.
Clemson’s suffocating defense gave Ohio State no options. The Buckeyes came in averaging 258 yards rushing per game and finished with 88. J. T. Barrett threw for 127 yards and was intercepted twice.
The Tigers wanted another shot at Alabama all along.
“Of course,” Watson said. “They’re the best of the best. You’ve got to earn it.”