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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 Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

November 7, 2015

Clemson had the nation’s attention going into the 2016 season. They may have lost a good deal on defense, but they returned Deshaun Watson, Mike Williams, Artavis Scott, and Wayne Gallman back on offense.

Although Williams would miss the season due to a neck injury he received after being pushed into a field goal post by a Wofford defender, Clemson was determined to do something they hadn’t done in the two seasons prior: win the ACC.

The College Football Playoff was in its second season and if you wanted in you had to win out and win your conference. Clemson hadn’t been able to win their conference since 2012 and they had the potential to run the table this season with Jameis Winston gone from Florida State.

It may not have been the prettiest of games, but Clemson was finally able to defeat the ‘Noles and control their destiny in the ACC.

Watson and Gallman both went for more than 100 yards on the ground while Deon Cain, who had taken over as the big-bodied receiver with Williams injured, caught the go-ahead touchdown with 10 minutes left in the third quarter.

Dalvin Cook managed to go for 194 yards on the ground but Sean Maguire was held just over 50 percent passing with 164 yards and no touchdowns. Clemson had finally done it and now had their eyes set on something bigger, a feat that hadn’t been reached since the 1980s.

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