Literally as I hit “publish” on the post below this one, Clemson made it obsolete. Twice.
Just two minutes and change after Heisman winner Derrick Henry‘s 50-yard touchdown run put Alabama up 7-0 in the College Football Playoff title game, the Tigers knotted the score at 7-all on a pretty 31-yard hookup between Heisman finalist Deshaun Watson and Hunter Renfrow.
Watson. Perfect throw. Here's proof on repeat. #SidelineVine https://t.co/Wkt1t79bma
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) January 12, 2016
The touchdown toss came one play after the Tigers quarterback outran the Tide defense for a six-yard gain on third-and-four.
The Tide had the opportunity to regain the lead on the ensuing possession, but Adam Griffith missed on a 44-yard field goal attempt with 2:17 left in the first quarter. Armed with excellent field goal position after the miss, the Tigers quickly marched down the field and took the lead, 14-7, on a second Watson-to-Renfrow hookup, this one an 11-yard score as the clock expired on the first quarter.
.@ClemsonFB came to play! Tigers lead, 14-7. #SidelineVine https://t.co/4uCkCPbjLN
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) January 12, 2016
Watson has been a dual-threat nightmare for the Tide’s defense thus far, throwing for 108 first-quarter yards and running for a team-high 23. Renfrow, a freshman, entered the game with three touchdown receptions this season.