The Alabama Crimson Tide jumped out to a 14-0 lead on two Bo Scarbrough touchdown runs. After a sluggish start, Clemson narrowed the gap to 14-7, with an 87-yard drive, midway in the 2nd quarter. Deshaun Watson finished the drive with an eight- yard run.
Alabama’s defense stymied Watson and the Tigers for most of the half. Both teams have almost equal offensive yardage, but Clemson got most of theirs on one wide-out screen and long run after the catch.
Jalen Hurts had limited success passing, going 7-16, for 40 yards.
Alabama’s physical defense sacked Watson twice and maintained pressure on him for most of the half.