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Clemson football’s incredible journey to becoming Alabama’s equal

By Justin Heisey

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his teams 44-16 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide with the trophy in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his teams 44-16 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide with the trophy in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

December 29, 2014

Clemson’s nine-win regular season was highlighted by its defense while Deshaun Watson and Cole Stoudt dealt with their various injuries.

The defensive line from the 2014 season saw six players signed to NFL contracts after the season and saw 12 others drafted in the seasons to come. But Stoudt took the time between the South Carolina game and their bowl matchup to rehab a lingering shoulder injury and was full go against Oklahoma.

More: 5 Takeaways from Clemson’s 2018 season

Clemson had faced almost every nationally prominent team over the past several seasons in LSU, Ohio State, Georgia and Auburn but hadn’t faced Bob Stoops and the Oklahoma Sooners.

The Sooners were led by the sensational Trevor Knight who made a name for himself by defeating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl in the season prior and running back Semaje Perine who set a single-game record for rushing yards earlier in the season.

The Sooners were favored by 6.5 points going into the game and to say that Clemson covered would be an understatement. The Tigers, against all odds, won 40-6 over Oklahoma.

Stoudt was named MVP after throwing for 319 yards with three scores while the defense forced five turnovers, including a 47-yard pick six from linebacker Ben Boulware. Clemson proved to the world that they were no one-trick pony anymore, they could beat teams on both sides of the ball.

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