Editor’s note: Part of a series reviewing the Arizona bowl histories of Ohio State and Clemson heading toward Saturday’s College Football Playoff semifinal.

The second College Football Playoff Championship Game was awarded to Glendale and played 10 days after the 2016 Fiesta Bowl between Ohio State and Notre Dame.

Another blue blood, Alabama, was in the title game, taking on rising power Clemson, ranked No. 1 and coming into the game 14-0. The No. 2 Tide had an early-season stumble against Mississippi but mostly dominated thereafter, crushing No. 3 Michigan State 38-0 in their CFP semifinal.

The game was a thriller with lots of offense and neither team leading by more than seven points until a 51-yard touchdown pass after an onside kick followed by a 95-yard kickoff return by Kenyan Drake gave Alabama a 38-27 edge with 7:31 remaining.

Even then, the Tide had no answer for Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, who threw for two touchdowns down the stretch, trimming the final margin to 45-40.

“We didn’t play our best, but we did what we had to do,” coach Nick Saban said after Alabama clinched its fourth national title in seven years. “I’m smiling. Special teams made the difference.”

Tide tight end O.J. Howard was offensive Player of the Game, catching five passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns including the 51-yarder to break 24-all tie early in the fourth quarter. 

If Clemson had won, that award would have gone to Watson, who had a spectacular 478 yards total offense including 405 through the air. Alabama Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry was another viable candidate with 158 yards rushing and three TDs.

In a season when both CFP semifinals were a bust — Clemson handling No. 4 Oklahoma 37-17 — the payoff at the end was worth the wait. 

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-8053 Follow him on Twitter @jeffmetcalfe.

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