Alabama wins national championship, defeating Clemson 45-40 in thrill-a-minute game
Kenyan Drake #17 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns a kickoff for a 95 yards touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Clemson Tigers during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Alabama does it again, and the dynasty is as good as ever.
A daring on-side kick turned the tide in Alabama's favor and touched off a second-half scoring explosion and the Crimson Tide beat Clemson 45-40 in the national championship on Monday night.
The thrill-a-minute game in the desert delivered a dazzling display of touchdowns, including two long pass plays from Jake Coker to O.J. Howard.
The victory gives Alabama (14-1) its fourth national title in seven years, an incredible run under coach Nick Saban. Clemson (14-1) came into the game ranked No. 1 with a perfect record.
Derrick Henry carried 36 times for 158 yards and three TDs, a 50-yarder and a pair of 1-yard runs. His final score came with 1:21 left following a 63-yard Coker-to-Howard pass play.
Derrick Henry #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates by kissing the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix S
Howard had five catches for 208 yards.
Deshaun Watson kept Clemson even into the fourth quarter before 'Bama went bonkers with a 24-point fourth quarter.
Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide gets dunked with Gatorade by the team after defeating the Clemson Tigers with a score of 45 to 40 in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)