January 11, 2015 will forever be remembered as the night Derrick Henry, who already ran away with the Heisman, ran away with the National Title as Alabama snuck past Clemson 45-40.  The six-foot-two, 240-pound junior running back had his way all night with the Clemson defense.  He ran for 158 yards and three touchdowns on 36 carries.  His big game was boosted by the efforts of senior quarterback Jake Coker.  The signal-caller completed 16 of 25 passes for 335 yards and two touchdowns and avoided turning the ball over in the biggest game of his life.  Junior tight-end OJ Howard stepped up when Alabama needed him the most.  He caught five passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns.  These scores were his first touchdown receptions of the whole season.  Clemson’s Heisman finalist and star quarterback certainly wasn’t going without a fight.  Sophomore Deshaun Watson threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns and added 73 rushing yards on the ground.  He did, however, throw an interception in the game.  Former walk-on Hunter Renfrow caught seven passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers.

Alabama struck first on a 50-yard touchdown gallop by Henry.  Clemson answered with a 31-yard pass from Watson to Renfrow, then again with an 11-yard pass from the same duo.  Henry again found pay dirt from one yard out as the teams headed to halftime with the score knotted at 14.  Alabama opened the third quarter with a touchdown from Coker to Howard.  Clemson responded with ten straight points to take a 24-21 lead into the fourth quarter where the scoring exploded. Alabama started with a field goal, then scored again on OJ Howard’s second touchdown of the night.  Clemson added a field goal, but Alabama’s Kenyan Drake returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.  Clemson cut the deficit to 38-33 with a touchdown pass from Watson to Artavis Scott.  Alabama continued to add to their lead with a one-yard plunge by Henry, his third of the game.  Down 45-33, the Tigers still didn’t quit.  Watson found Jordan Laggett to bring the score to 45-40 but couldn’t corral the onside kick and Alabama took a knee and was victorious.  Alabama head coach Nick Saban won his fifth National Championship as a head coach.