SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban blamed himself for choosing to run a fake field goal instead of settling for a 39-yard attempt early in the third quarter, a busted play that proved momentous in a 28-point loss to Clemson Tigers in the national championship game Monday night.
Three plays after Clemson snuffed out the Crimson Tide's fake field goal attempt, Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence connected with Justyn Ross for a 74-yard touchdown that pushed their lead to 22 points and effectively ended most hopes of an Alabama rally.