🏈 GAME THREAD SUGAR BOWL: Alabama vs Clemson

[BamaFan334]

Told all of y'all, white jerseys win these games.

 

[mrchase]

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Roll Tide, fuys.

That twas and angry defens3. .

Greats win.

 

[planomateo]

 

[planomateo]

 

[Alabama17Tide]

INSTANT ANALYSIS: Payne, Alabama defense spark Sugar Bowl win over Clemson

Tony Tsoukalas • BamaInsider.com@Tony_Tsoukalas

NEW ORLEANS — It turns out those whispers didn’t fall on deaf ears. Alabama defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne has been calling for his shot near the goal line all season. During Monday night’s Sugar Bowl, his wishes were answered.
With Alabama facing second-and-goal from the Clemson 1-yard line in the third quarter, the 6-foot-2, 308-pound defensive tackle lined up on offense out of the jumbo formation. What happened next came as a surprise to everyone. Instead of blocking, Payne shuffled to his right, getting open for a wide-open 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jalen Hurts.
The play swung momentum in Alabama’s favor and ultimately led to a 24-6 blowout over No. 1 Clemson as the Crimson Tide advanced to its third straight College Football Playoff National Championship Game. No. 4 Alabama (12-1) will play No. 3 Georgia on Jan. 8 inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the national title.
Georgia advanced to the game after beating No. 2 Oklahoma in double overtime in the Rose Bowl. The matchup is only second time two teams from the SEC will play in the national championship game. Alabama beat LSU 21-0 to claim the 2011 national title.
Payne’s touchdown gave Alabama a 17-6 lead late in the third quarter. It came on a drive following the defensive tackle's first career interception as he picked off Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant before returning the ball 21 yards to the Tigers 42-yard line. Payne, who usually comes in to block in the jumbo package, was asked last week if he thought he’d ever get a shot at a touchdown near the goal line. His response: “hopefully.”
“I’ve been asking for one, but I think that’s just been a little whisper,” Payne said.
Following the touchdown, the Crimson Tide put the game away on the next play from scrimmage as linebacker Mack Wilson returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown to extend the lead to 24-6. Alabama’s defense held on from there, holding on to gain redemption for last year’s national championship defeat to the Clemson.
Here are some notes from Monday night’s Sugar Bowl:
Defense stands tall

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Raekwon Davis (99) celebrates a play during the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2018 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Photo | USA Today
This was the Alabama defense Crimson Tide fans have grown accustomed to seeing over the past few years, not the one that has struggled the past few games. Alabama held Clemson to 188 yards of total offense, including just 64 yards on the ground.
After struggling to contain quarterback Deshaun Watson the past two years, Alabama had less of a problem containing his replacement, Bryant. The Crimson Tide limited Bryant to 18 of 36 passing for 124 yards and two interceptions while holding him to 19 yards on 19 carries. Alabama sacked Bryant five times on the night.
The Crimson Tide also vanquished its third-down troubles. Heading into the game, Alabama allowed its last FBS opponents (LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn) to go 26 of 52 on third down. Monday night, Crimson Tide held the Tigers to 8 of 19, forcing three-and-outs on Clemson’s first three possessions.
Rashaan Evans led Alabama with nine tackles to go with a sack and a pass breakup. Mack Wilson had six tackles and a pass breakup to go with his 18-yard interception return for a touchdown, while Levi Wallace also had six tackles to go with two pass breakups. Anfernee Jennings and Raekwon Davis both had a sack and five tackles apiece.
Hurts gets redemption over Clemson

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2018 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Photo | USA Today
Rumors of a possible appearance from backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa surfaced roughly an hour before kickoff .
The freshman wasn’t needed, not with the way Hurts performed. The sophomore starter completed 16 of 24 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns while adding 40 yards on the ground. His lone mistake came on a fumble on the opening drive of the second half which gave Clemson the ball at the Alabama 20-yard line. However, the Crimson Tide’s defense forced a three-and-out and the Tigers had to settle for a field goal.
After Payne’s interception, Hurts rebounded on Alabama’s next possession, completing all three of his passes for 19 yards and the touchdown. This matchup was a redemption game for Hurts, who completed just 13 of 31 passes for a touchdown while running for 63 yards and a touchdown during last season’s loss to Clemson in the national championship game.
This season, Hurts set the wallpaper of his phone to pictures of him walking off the field after a loss to the Tigers. Monday night, he exited the field with a smile and a second straight trip to the national championship game.
Ridley continues to be Tide’s top target

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) celebrates his touchdown during the first quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2018 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Photo | USA Today
A lot was said about Alabama’s over-reliance on Ridley heading into the game. Monday night, the Crimson Tide once again threw the ball the juniors way, and once again he came up big.
Ridley finished the game with a team-high four catches for 39 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown from Hurts in the first quarter. The touchdown was his fourth of the season and 18th of his career. It moved Ridley into a tie with Dennis Homan (1965-67) for second place on the Alabama career touchdown receptions list. Amari Cooper (2012-14) is the UA career leader with 31 scoring catches. Ridley now has receptions in all 43 games of his college career.
A little sweeter

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban runs onto the field with quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) before the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers in the 2018 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Photo | USA Today
For the first time in four Sugar Bowl matchups, Alabama head coach Nick Saban left the Superdome without a bitter taste in his mouth. Monday night’s victory snapped a three-game losing streak in the Sugar Bowl for Saban, who had yet to win a Sugar Bowl with the Crimson Tide.
Alabama was upset by Utah in the 2009 Sugar Bowl after missing out on a potential trip to the national championship game with a loss to Florida in the SEC Championship Game. The Crimson Tide came into the 2014 Sugar Bowl fresh off another heartbreaking defeat as it was blown out by Oklahoma after losing the infamous “Kick Six” game against Auburn. The following year, Alabama fell to Ohio State in a semifinal matchup during the first-ever College Football Playoff. Saban did beat LSU in the Superdome when Alabama won the 2011 national title. However, that game was a BCS National Championship Game, not a Sugar Bowl.
Saban is now 3-3 in the Sugar Bowl, recording his two other wins while at LSU. The Tigers beat Illinois in the 2002 Sugar Bowl. Saban won his first national championship with LSU by beating Oklahoma in the 2004 Sugar Bowl.
Saban in the Sugar Bowl
2018 —Alabmaa 24, Clemson 6
2015 — Ohio State 42, Alabama 35
2014 — Oklahoma 45, Alabama 31
2009 — Utah 31, Alabama 17
2004 — LSU 21, Oklahoma 14
2002 — LSU 47, Illinois 34
* Wins in bold

BamaInsider.com - INSTANT ANALYSIS: Payne, Alabama defense spark Sugar Bowl win over Clemson

 

[Bamabww]

 

[bamaledge]

Bryant was no Watson

Told ya!

 

[TerryP]

We all knew Trevor Matich has thrown some thing out there that are...well, let's call it bullshit.

But this takes the cake, candles, the plate it's served on, the table ...

This morning on Sportscenter he's calling Payne's touchdown a rub route. Geez. SMDH.

 

[bamaledge]

Clemson has perfected the damn rub route Trevor! Idiot!

 

[bama alum]

 

[planomateo]

Some photos from USA Today. These are full sized pics if you want to save them. @mrchase

 

[planomateo]

To all those doubters... :bird:

 

[TUSKtimes]

 

[Tidestalker]

This guy Tony Brown. SMH. Wish Saban had him on him on the freshman no interview list

 

[bama alum]

What a brilliantly timed picture!

 

[rick4bama]

We all knew Trevor Matich has thrown some thing out there that are...well, let's call it bullshit.

But this takes the cake, candles, the plate it's served on, the table ...

This morning on Sportscenter he's calling Payne's touchdown a rub route. Geez. SMDH.

Penn. St boy said it was and offensive pass interference when it happen. Even show it a few times.

 

[footballer]

I believed it was rub route also and I believe it was planned to the T with Q. Williams doing the rubbing. As if to make a statement. IN YOUR FACE CLEMSON. I don't think CNS gave shit if it was called a penalty or not.

 

[rick4bama]

I believed it was rub route also and I believe it was planned to the T with Q. Williams doing the rubbing. As if to make a statement. IN YOUR FACE CLEMSON. I don't think CNS gave shit if it was called a penalty or not.

So didn't this same type of play happen last year in the playoff. The one that was the winning TD?

 

[footballer]

Exactly, rick4bama, twice if I remember correctly