[Latest developments, posted at 12:16 a.m. ET]
No. 2 Alabama 45, No. 1 Clemson 40, late fourth quarter
Alabama closed in on its fourth title in seven seasons when Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry fought his way to a 1-yard touchdown run. The TD was Henry’s third of the game and capped a 75-yard drive. The score came with just over one minute remaining.
Clemson drove down field with Deshaun Watson firing a TD pass to Jordan Leggett, but there are just 12 seconds remaining.
[Previous story, posted at 10:17 p.m. ET]
Deshaun Watson and Derrick Henry were showing college football fans exactly why they were two of the three Heisman Trophy finalists this season.
In Monday night’s, national championship game the Clemson quarterback and Alabama running back were the stars of the show.
Each was responsible for two touchdowns and the score was tied 14-14 at intermission.
Henry, the Heisman winner, had two touchdowns. He rushed 50 yards for the game’s first score in the first period and leapt 2 yards for another in the second quarter. At halftime he had 128 yards on 20 carries.
Watson threw for two scores to freshman receiver Hunter Renfrow.
The first Clemson score came on a six-play, 48-yard drive, ending with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Watson.
Clemson followed with Watson hooking up with his receiver for an 11-yard score on the final play from scrimmage of the first quarter.
Watson was 12-for-16 and threw for 161 yards. He also rushed for 45 yards, often scrambling for first downs.
Monday’s game, at the University of Phoenix in Glendale, Arizona, pitted the winners of the semifinal games in the second College Football Playoff.
Last year, the four-team playoff replaced the Bowl Championship Series in which the top two teams were selected to play in the final game. Ohio State won the inaugural playoff championship game, routing Oregon 42-20.