National Championship: Alabama v Clemson nearly hit over at halftime

The College Football Playoff National Championship has already lived up to its billing. Alabama and Clemson nearly hit the over before halftime

For the fourth time in four years, Alabama and Clemson met in the College Football Playoff. The Tide had won two of the first three matchups, but the 2019 edition promised to be different. For the first time in the brief rivalry, both teams had young star quarterbacks with plenty of shootout potential.

When Tua Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawrence finally stood on the same field, magic happened. Beginning with a Clemson Pick-Six, the Tigers and Tide combined for 47 first half points. Oddsmakers tabbed Alabama as 5.5-point favorites entering the game and set the over/under at 58 points. Oops.

With the over well on its way to being shattered into millions of pieces, it’s time for college football fans to sit back and watch what promises to be one of the most entertaining finales in the college football era. The first half has seen 454 yards of total offense and six total touchdowns.

First Quarter

• 13:20 – A.J. Terrell Pick Six — Clemson 7, Alabama 0
• 12:05 – Jerry Jeudy 62-yard TD reception — Clemson 7, Alabama 7
• 10:35 – Travis Etienne 17-yard TD run — Clemson 14, Alabama 7
• 6:23 – Hale Gentges 1-yard TD reception (missed PAT) — Clemson 14, Alabama 13

Second Quarter

• 14:18 – Joseph Bulovas 25-yard field goal — Alabama 16, Clemson 14
• 11:38 – Travis Etienne 1-yard TD run — Clemson 21, Alabama 16
• 4:38 – Travis Etienne 5-yard TD reception — Clemson 28, Alabama 16
• 0:45 – Greg Huegel 36-yard field gaol — Clemson 31, Alabama 16

It took a last-second touchdown, spearheaded by Deshaun Watson and Hunter Renfrow, for Clemson to upend Alabama two years ago. This year it appears the Tigers will be in the driver’s seat. Can Tua Tagovailoa and company answer? Either way, there’s sure to be plenty more points scored in Santa Clara before this game is through.