Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to win the championship game of the College Football Playoff. Clemson defeated Alabama 35-31 for its first national title since 1981. The Tigers also avenged their loss to Alabama in last year's title game.
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to win the championship game of the College Football Playoff. Clemson defeated Alabama 35-31 for its first national title since 1981. The Tigers also avenged their loss to Alabama in last year's title game.
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Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow pulls in the game-winning score with one second remaining. The game was played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow pulls in the game-winning score with one second remaining. The game was played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
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Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts runs for a 30-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Alabama led 31-28 with 2:07 remaining.
Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts runs for a 30-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Alabama led 31-28 with 2:07 remaining.
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Clemson running back Wayne Gallman scores on a short run to give his team a temporary fourth-quarter lead.
Clemson running back Wayne Gallman scores on a short run to give his team a temporary fourth-quarter lead.
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Watson is stopped short of the goal line just before Gallman's touchdown.
Watson is stopped short of the goal line just before Gallman's touchdown.
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Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams is unable to make a catch in the second half.
Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams is unable to make a catch in the second half.
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Alabama's Marlon Humphrey is called for pass interference on a second-half pass to Williams.
Alabama's Marlon Humphrey is called for pass interference on a second-half pass to Williams.
John Bazemore/AP
Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough is looked at by trainers after getting hurt in the second half. He didn't return to the game. Scarbrough had two touchdowns in the first half.
Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough is looked at by trainers after getting hurt in the second half. He didn't return to the game. Scarbrough had two touchdowns in the first half.
David J. Phillip
Williams catches a touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, and Clemson cut Alabama's lead to 24-21.
Williams catches a touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, and Clemson cut Alabama's lead to 24-21.
John Bazemore/AP
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard runs down the sideline for a touchdown after catching a third-quarter pass from Hurts. The 68-yard play helped Alabama stretch its lead to 24-14.
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard runs down the sideline for a touchdown after catching a third-quarter pass from Hurts. The 68-yard play helped Alabama stretch its lead to 24-14.
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Watson spins in the air after being hit by Alabama defenders in the third quarter.
Watson spins in the air after being hit by Alabama defenders in the third quarter.
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Clemson wide receiver Deon Cain, left, celebrates with Renfrow after Renfrow's 24-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. Clemson cut the Alabama lead to 17-14.
Clemson wide receiver Deon Cain, left, celebrates with Renfrow after Renfrow's 24-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. Clemson cut the Alabama lead to 17-14.
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Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell holds his ankle after spraining it in the third quarter. He was unable to return to the game.
Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell holds his ankle after spraining it in the third quarter. He was unable to return to the game.
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Alabama linebacker Ryan Anderson strips Gallman in the third quarter. The turnover led to an Alabama field goal and a 17-7 lead.
Alabama linebacker Ryan Anderson strips Gallman in the third quarter. The turnover led to an Alabama field goal and a 17-7 lead.
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Alabama head coach Nick Saban reacts during the second half. Saban has won four national championships with the Crimson Tide. He also won one as coach of LSU.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban reacts during the second half. Saban has won four national championships with the Crimson Tide. He also won one as coach of LSU.
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The Alabama marching band performs during the game.
The Alabama marching band performs during the game.
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Watson runs into the end zone shortly before halftime. Alabama led 14-7 at the break.
Watson runs into the end zone shortly before halftime. Alabama led 14-7 at the break.
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Scarbrough scores a 37-yard touchdown to give the Crimson Tide a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.
Scarbrough scores a 37-yard touchdown to give the Crimson Tide a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.
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Hurts, Alabama's true freshman quarterback, throws the ball during the first half.
Hurts, Alabama's true freshman quarterback, throws the ball during the first half.
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Anderson tackles Watson in the first half.
Anderson tackles Watson in the first half.
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Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney argues a call during the first half. Swinney graduated from Alabama and played football as a walk-on there in the early 1990s.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney argues a call during the first half. Swinney graduated from Alabama and played football as a walk-on there in the early 1990s.
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Scarbrough scores the game's opening touchdown in the first quarter.
Scarbrough scores the game's opening touchdown in the first quarter.
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Alabama defensive linemen Da'Ron Payne (No. 94) and Jonathan Allen (No. 93) corral Watson in the first quarter.
Alabama defensive linemen Da'Ron Payne (No. 94) and Jonathan Allen (No. 93) corral Watson in the first quarter.
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Gallman is stopped in the first quarter.
Gallman is stopped in the first quarter.
John Bazemore/AP
Alabama's Anthony Averett wraps up Williams.
Alabama's Anthony Averett wraps up Williams.
Chris O'Meara/AP
A Clemson fan gets his face painted before the game.
A Clemson fan gets his face painted before the game.
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A young Alabama fan shows his support for the Crimson Tide.
A young Alabama fan shows his support for the Crimson Tide.
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