Nick Saban reached into to his seldom-used bag of tricks, and it helped Alabama become king of the college football world — again.
With the Crimson Tide defense struggling, Saban and special teams coach Bobby Williams called for an onside kick in the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday, Jan. 11, in the Valley of the Sun.
As it would turn out, that play would be a game changer in the Tide’s 45-40 victory over the top-ranked and previously unbeaten Clemson Tigers. In the end it was special teams, a breakout performance from an under used offensive player, and a stellar outing from a quarterback who was benched against Ole Miss in Alabama’s lone loss of the 2015 season.
Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry had 128 of his 158 yards before halftime, and scored three touchdowns in a contest that definitely lived up to the hype (when most games of this magnitude do not). His biggest run came late and covered only a few inches as it accounted for the eventual game-winning score.
Everybody expected Henry to lead the Crimson Tide. But no one, including the 2015 National Champions, expected a successfully executed onside kick to have an impact on the game.
The Tide had practiced the play tirelessly throughout the season because Williams said, “We’ll use it one day.”
They did in the final quarter of a tough 2015 campaign that saw the Crimson Tide become the first team to reach the playoffs in each of the format’s inaugural two seasons.
Alabama (14-1) also got another boost from its special teams when Kenyan Drake scored on a 95-yard kickoff return.
“Special teams made the difference in the game for us,” Saban said.
As for the offense, junior tight end O.J. Howard, a forgotten man in Lane Kiffin’s offense, had a breakout performance. He became a star as he made five receptions, and scored twice while amassing 208 yards while most likely raising his income when he gets to the next level.
The man who threw those touchdowns was Jake Coker, a transfer from Florida State, who was benched during the Tide’s loss to the Rebels early in the season. He battled back to help Alabama win its fourth title in seven years. He torched Clemson’s defense with 335 passing yards and two touchdowns.
All this was done despite being sacked four times by the Tigers (14-1) in the first half.
As for Clemson, it missed a chance to make history. The Tigers could’ve become the first team in history to go 15-0. Clemson coach, Dabo Swinney, (who played on Alabama’s 1992 National Championship team), could’ve become the first person to win a title as both a player and coach since the legendary Bud Wilkinson (who quarterbacked Minnesota and coached Oklahoma to National Titles).
The Tigers, led by quarterback Deshaun Watson, just came up a bit short. He finished with four touchdowns and 405 yards through the air. He was also Clemson’s leading rusher. He finished with 73 yards on 20 carries.
As for Saban, it was his fifth title. He won a chamionship at LSU before winning four in Tuscaloosa, leaving him one shy of tying Paul “Bear” Bryant’s six championships.
Saban, who finally showed Tide fans his softer side, after beating the Tigers, may very well win another one next season, and tie Bryant, the Alabama, Texas A&M and Kentucky coaching icon.
