Alabama defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne came up with the biggest defensive play of Monday's Sugar Bowl against Clemson, and moments later was rewarded for it.
With the Crimson Tide clinging to a 10-6 lead in the third quarter, the 6-foot-2, 308-pound Payne intercepted a pass tipped by teammate Anfernee Jennings and returned it to the Clemson 42 yard-line (with an additional 15 yards tacked on for a horse-collar tackle). After Alabama put the ball inside the 5, he entered the game as a blocking back and caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts to put the Tide up 17-6 with 5:40 left in the quarter.