No. 2 Alabama, led by the Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry, defeated No. 1 Clemson, 45-40, on Monday in Glendale, Ariz., to win the College Football Playoff championship.
Henry ran for 158 yards on 36 carries, scoring three times, for Alabama (14-1), which now claims 16 national titles, including four under Coach Nick Saban. Kenyan Drake also provided a big blow, returning a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Jake Coker completed 16 of 25 passes for 335 yards while throwing two touchdown passes.
The Crimson Tide routed third-seeded Michigan State, 38-0, in a semifinal on Dec.