2019 College Football Playoff National Championship

This article is about the FBS (Division I-A) championship game. For the FCS (Division I-AA) championship game, see 2019 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game.

The 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship was a college football bowl game played on January 7, 2019, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The fifth College Football Playoff National Championship, the game determined a national champion in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the 2018 season. It was the final game of the 2018-19 College Football Playoff (CFP) and, aside from any all star games that followed, was the culminating game of the 2018–19 bowl season.^[5] Sponsored by telecommunications company AT&T, the game was officially known as the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T.^[2]

2019 College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T
5th College Football Playoff National Championship
Clemson Tigers Alabama Crimson Tide (14–0) (14–0) ACC SEC 44 16 Head coach:  Dabo Swinney Head coach:  Nick Saban AP Coaches CFP 2 2 2 AP Coaches CFP 1 1 1
1 2 3 4 Total Clemson 14 17 13 0 44 Alabama 13 3 0 0 16
Date	January 7, 2019
Season	2018
Stadium	Levi's Stadium
Location	Santa Clara, California
MVP	Offensive: #16 QB Trevor Lawrence, Fr. Clemson Defensive: #1 CB Trayvon Mullen, Jr. Clemson^[1]
Favorite	Alabama by 5.5^[2]
National anthem	Andy Grammer
Referee	Mike Cannon (Big Ten)
Halftime show	Clemson University Tiger Band Million Dollar Band
Attendance	74,814
United States TV coverage
Network	ESPN and ESPN Radio
Announcers	Chris Fowler (play-by-play) Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) Tom Rinaldi and Maria Taylor (sideline) (ESPN) Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Holly Rowe and Ian Fitzsimmons (ESPN Radio)
Nielsen ratings	14.6 (25.28 million viewers)^[3]^[4]
International TV coverage
Network	ESPN Deportes ESPN Deportes Radio
Announcers	Lalo Varela and Pablo Viruega (ESPN Deportes) Kenneth Garay and Alex Pombo (ESPN Deportes Radio)
College Football Playoff National Championship  < 2018  2020 >

The Clemson Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide by a score of 44–16 to win the championship with an undefeated 15–0 record. Clemson became the first such undefeated team in the CFP era to win the title, and the first^[a] to finish 15–0 in a single season since the 1897 Penn Quakers.^[6][7] The 28-point loss was the largest margin of defeat for Alabama during the Nick Saban era (since 2007)^[8] and since Alabama's 31-point loss in the 1998 Music City Bowl.^[9]

Background

Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, was announced as the host site for the fifth College Football Playoff National Championship on November 4, 2015. Atlanta was awarded the 2018 championship game while New Orleans was awarded the 2020 game. The three game sites were chosen out of nine bids, with bids by Houston, South Florida, Charlotte, Detroit, Minnesota, and San Antonio not selected.^[10]

2019 College Football Playoff

 

Levi's Stadium prior to the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship

	Semifinals					Championship
	December 29 – Orange Bowl Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
	1	Alabama	45
	4	Oklahoma	34			January 7 – National Championship Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara
						1	Alabama	16
	December 29 – Cotton Bowl AT&T Stadium, Arlington					2	Clemson	44
	2	Clemson	30
	3	Notre Dame	3

This bracket:

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The College Football Playoff selection committee selected four teams to advance to the playoff. The bowl selection show took place on December 2.^[11] The top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide faced the fourth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl and the second-ranked Clemson Tigers faced the third-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Cotton Bowl, both held on December 29.^[12] Alabama defeated Oklahoma, 45–34,^[13] and Clemson defeated Notre Dame, 30–3.^[14]

Teams

Alabama held a 14–4 series lead over Clemson in prior meetings between the two teams.^[15] They had met in the postseason in each of the prior three seasons: the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship, won by Alabama (45–40); the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship, won by Clemson (35–31); and the 2018 Sugar Bowl playoff semifinal game, won by Alabama (24–6).^[15]

This was the first time under the College Football Playoff format (initiated in 2014) that an undefeated team won the championship, as both teams came into the game 14–0. The most recent prior matchup of undefeated teams in a championship game had been the 2011 BCS National Championship Game, which saw 13–0 Auburn defeat 12–0 Oregon.^[16] The most recent undefeated winner of a national championship game had been Florida State, who won the 2014 BCS National Championship Game and finished their season with a 14–0 record.^[17]

Clemson Tigers

Main article: 2018 Clemson Tigers football team

Clemson defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers in the 2018 ACC Championship Game on December 1, then received their bid to the Cotton Bowl with the release of final CFP rankings on December 2.^[12] Clemson defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Cotton Bowl Classic on December 29 to advance to the championship game. The Tigers entered the championship game with a 14–0 record.^[14] On January 3, it was confirmed that three Clemson players, including starting defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, would remain suspended from playing by the NCAA, due to drug testing in advance of the Cotton Bowl Classic that showed "trace amounts of a banned substance", which was identified as ostarine.^[18][19]

Alabama Crimson Tide

Main article: 2018 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

Alabama defeated the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2018 SEC Championship Game on December 1, then received their bid to the Orange Bowl with the release of final CFP rankings on December 2.^[12] Alabama defeated the Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl on December 29 to advance to the championship game. The Crimson Tide also entered the championship game with a 14–0 record.^[13] On December 27, in advance of the Orange Bowl, three Alabama players, including starting offensive lineman Deonte Brown, were suspended for the remainder of the season, in what was initially described as an unspecified violation of team rules, then later characterized as NCAA violations.^[20][21]

Starting lineups

 

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney

 

Alabama head coach Nick Saban

 

Clemson starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shown at 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship postgame)

 

Alabama starting running back Damien Harris

Clemson	Position		Alabama
Offense
Tee Higgins 2	WR		Henry Ruggs III 1
Hunter Renfrow 5	WR		DeVonta Smith 1
† Mitch Hyatt	LT		† Jonah Williams 1
John Simpson 4	LG		Lester Cotton
Justin Falcinelli	C		Ross Pierschbacher 5
Gage Cervenka	RG		Alex Leatherwood 1
Tremayne Anchrum 7	RT		Jedrick Wills Jr. 1
Garrett Williams	TE		Irv Smith Jr. 2
Amari Rodgers 3	WR		† Jerry Jeudy 1
Trevor Lawrence 1	QB		† Tua Tagovailoa 1
Travis Etienne 1	RB		Damien Harris 3
Defense
† Clelin Ferrell 1	DE		Isaiah Buggs 6
† Christian Wilkins 1	DT	NG	† Quinnen Williams 1
Albert Huggins	DT	DE	Raekwon Davis 2
Austin Bryant 4	DE	STAR	Shyheim Carter
Kendall Joseph	WLB		Dylan Moses
Tre Lamar	MLB		Mack Wilson 5
Isaiah Simmons 1	SLB		Anfernee Jennings 3
A. J. Terrell 1	CB		Saivion Smith
Trayvon Mullen 2	CB		Patrick Surtain II 1
K'Von Wallace 4	SS		Xavier McKinney 2
Tanner Muse 3	FS		† Deionte Thompson 5
† 2018 All-American
Selected in an NFL Draft (number corresponds to draft round)

Source:^[22]

Game summary

After winning the coin toss, Alabama elected to defer, giving Clemson the ball to start the game. The Tigers' opening drive resulted in a three-and-out, and Alabama took over on their own 21-yard-line following a punt. However, three plays later the scoring was opened by Clemson cornerback A. J. Terrell, who intercepted a Tua Tagovailoa pass and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown. Alabama responded quickly, as Tagovailoa made up for the interception three plays later by finding Jerry Jeudy downfield for a 62-yard score. On their ensuing drive, Clemson continued the offensive trend of the first quarter with a 62-yard pass of their own, from Trevor Lawrence to Tee Higgins, which set up a 17-yard touchdown rush by Travis Etienne on the next play. Now trailing 14–7, Alabama marched downfield on their next drive, covering 75 yards in ten plays, to score a touchdown with opportunity to tie the game. However, Alabama freshman placekicker Joseph Bulovas missed the extra point, hitting the right upright; this was his sixth missed extra point of the season and left Clemson ahead by one, 14–13. Clemson's ensuing drive resulted in another three-and-out; they punted to Alabama, who made it to the Clemson 3-yard-line when the first quarter ended.^[23][24][25]

The second quarter began with Clemson holding a one-point lead, although this would not last for long. Two plays into the quarter, Bulovas converted a 25-yard field goal to put Alabama in front by two points, 16–14. Clemson would soon recapture the lead, as Lawrence led the Tigers' offense down the field in six plays; the drive was capped by a one-yard touchdown rush by Travis Etienne. With Clemson lead at 21–16, Alabama began their next drive. The Clemson defense would make another important play, as Tagovailoa threw his second interception of the game and only his sixth all season. Clemson then capitalized with a five-yard pass from Lawrence to Etienne to make push the lead to 12 points, 28–16. On what would be their last drive of the half, Alabama punted on 4th-and-17, giving Clemson the ball on their own 21-yard-line. With just over two minutes on the clock, Clemson drove down the field and converted a 36-yard field goal that put the lead at 31–16 and gave the Tide the ball back with 45 seconds. After an incomplete pass and a six-yard rush, Alabama head coach Nick Saban elected to let the clock expire and head to halftime trailing by fifteen.^[23][24][25]

On Alabama's first drive of the second half, they gained 53 yards on 12 plays before losing two yards on a fake field goal, turning the ball over on downs and giving the Tigers the football on their own 24-yard-line. Clemson took advantage of the Tide's mistake, scoring on a 74-yard Trevor Lawrence pass to Justyn Ross. Greg Huegel's extra point attempt hit the left upright, leaving the score at 37–16; it was only his second missed extra point of the season. Alabama's next drive spanned 59 yards before they failed to convert a 4th-and-4 on Clemson's 14-yard-line, giving the Tigers the ball with just under six minutes to play in the third quarter. Clemson took advantage, driving 89 yards for a touchdown with a five-yard touchdown catch by Tee Higgins; the successful extra point pushing their lead to 44–16. Alabama's 28-point deficit was the largest in any game under Saban, their coach since 2007. The Tide began their third drive of the second half on their 25-yard-line following a touchback.^[23][24][25]

Following a 48-yard pass from Tagovailoa to Jeudy on the final play of the third quarter, Alabama started the fourth quarter with a first down on Clemson's 27-yard-line. However, Alabama's offense stalled again, losing seven yards on 4th-and-goal from Clemson's 2-yard-line; this was the Tide's third straight turnover on downs, with all three coming in Clemson territory. Clemson was then unable to take advantage of their possession, and punted for the first time since the first quarter; the punt was downed at Alabama's 48-yard-line. Alabama began their fourth second-half drive with just over eleven minutes on the clock and Jalen Hurts at quarterback; it ended in a three-and-out, and Mike Bernier's punt was downed at the Clemson one-yard-line. After draining more than seven minutes on the clock and with the ball on Alabama's 17-yard-line, the majority of Clemson's offensive starters were removed from the game and Chase Brice was put in at quarterback. Clemson used up the remaining two minutes off the clock and took a knee on the final play ending the longest drive (10:02) in Clemson history and winning the National Championship, their second title in three years.^{[23][24][25][26]}

•  
  Clemson players celebrate in the end zone near the majority of their fans.
•  
  Fireworks went off after the conclusion of the game.
•  
  Clemson is recognized historical 15–0 national champion as confetti falls after the game.
•  
  Clemson players take the stage to receive the trophy.
•  
  Clemson's coach and players are presented with the championship trophy.

Scoring summary

2019 College Football Playoff National Championship

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 2 Clemson	14	17	13	0	44
No. 1 Alabama	13	3	0	0	16

at Levi's Stadium • Santa Clara, California

• Date: Monday, January 7, 2019
• Game time: 5:00 p.m. PST
• Game weather: TBD
• Game attendance: 74,814
• Referee: Mike Cannon (Big Ten)
• TV announcers (ESPN): Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Maria Taylor and Tom Rinaldi (sidelines)
• Box score

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Clemson Alabama 1 13:20 Clemson Interception returned 44 yards for touchdown by A. J. Terrell, Greg Huegel kick good 7 0 1 12:05 3 75 1:15 Alabama Jerry Jeudy 62-yard touchdown reception from Tua Tagovailoa, Joseph Bulovas kick good 7 7 1 10:35 4 75 1:30 Clemson Travis Etienne 17-yard touchdown run, Greg Huegel kick good 14 7 1 6:23 10 75 4:12 Alabama Hale Hentges 1-yard touchdown reception from Tua Tagovailoa, Joseph Bulovas kick no good (wide right) 14 13 2 14:18 11 45 6:07 Alabama 25-yard field goal by Joseph Bulovas 14 16 2 11:38 6 65 2:40 Clemson Travis Etienne 1-yard touchdown run, Greg Huegel kick good 21 16 2 4:38 8 47 3:27 Clemson Travis Etienne 5-yard touchdown reception from Trevor Lawrence, Greg Huegel kick good 28 16 2 0:45 8 61 1:19 Clemson 36-yard field goal by Greg Huegel 31 16 3 8:26 3 76 1:21 Clemson Justyn Ross 74-yard touchdown reception from Trevor Lawrence, Greg Huegel kick no good (wide left) 37 16 3 0:21 12 89 5:21 Clemson Tee Higgins 5-yard touchdown reception from Trevor Lawrence, Greg Huegel kick good 44 16 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 44 16

Source:^[27][28]

Statistics

 

One of the sideline reporters shows off the College Football Playoff trophy late in the fourth quarter.

Statistics	Clemson	Alabama
First downs	21	23
Plays–yards	63–482	73–443
Rushes–yards	31–135	37–148
Passing yards	347	295
Passing: comp–att–int	20–32–0	22–36–2
Time of possession	28:23	31:37

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Clemson	Passing	Trevor Lawrence	20/32, 347 yds, 3 TD
	Rushing	Travis Etienne	14 car, 86 yds, 2 TD
	Receiving	Justyn Ross	6 rec, 153 yds, 1 TD
Alabama	Passing	Tua Tagovailoa	22/34, 295 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Najee Harris	9 car, 59 yds
	Receiving	Jerry Jeudy	5 rec, 139 yds, 1 TD

Source:^[29][30]

Broadcasting

The game was televised nationally by ESPN, with Megacast coverage across all of its networks except ABC. As in 2018, the network also promoted an off-site concert that was televised at halftime during ESPN's broadcast, featuring rock band Imagine Dragons, including a "special collaboration" with rapper Lil Wayne,^[31] on Treasure Island.^[32] Fans in attendance at Levi's Stadium saw the Clemson University Tiger Band and Alabama's Million Dollar Band perform.^[33]

See also

• College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS
• Alabama–Clemson football rivalry
• Super Bowl 50, the NFL championship game contested at the same venue on February 7, 2016

Notes

1. At the FBS, Division I-A, or their predecessors level of college football.

References

1. Hadley, Greg (January 7, 2019). "Trevor Lawrence, Trayvon Mullen earn MVP honors as Clemson blows out Alabama". www.thestate.com. The State. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
2. "Clemson vs. Alabama – Game Summary – January 7, 2019". www.espn.com. ESPN. January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
3. Volner, Derek (January 8, 2019). "College Football Playoff National Championship Delivers Cable's Best Overnight in 12 Months". www.espnmediazone.com. ESPN MediaZone. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
4. Volner, Derek (January 8, 2019). "CFP National Championship – Alabama vs. Clemson: 25.3 Million Fans Watched, Up from the Same Matchup Two Seasons Ago". www.espnmediazone.com. ESPN MediaZone. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
5. "Scoring Summary (Final)" (PDF). www.clemsontigers.com. Clemson University. January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
6. "Single Season Leaders and Records for Wins". Sports Reference. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
7. "Alabama vs. Clemson score: Tigers crush Tide to reclaim throne, win 2019 national championship". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
8. Fornelli, Tom (January 8, 2019). "National Championship 2019: Clemson hands Alabama its biggest loss ever under Nick Saban". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
9. Potter, Charlie (January 7, 2019). "Recap: Alabama's season ends in disappointing title game loss". 247sports.com. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
10. Alex Scarbough (November 4, 2015). "Atlanta, Santa Clara, and New Orleans land CFP title games for 2018–20". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
11. Stephenson, Creg (December 2, 2018). "Complete 2018–19 College Football Playoff, bowl schedule, updated pairings". al.com. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
12. "Alabama Oklahoma Clemson Notre Dame playoff previews". Espn.com. December 2, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
13. "Orange Bowl: Alabama beats Oklahoma to set up another Clemson showdown". Usatoday.com. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
14. "Clemson Crushes Notre Dame to Reach Its 3rd National Title Game in 4 Seasons – The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
15. "Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Clemson Tigers football series history games list". winsipedia.com. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
16. Putnal, Olivia (January 11, 2011). "Auburn Tigers Win BCS National Championship Game!". Woman's Day. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
17. "2013 Florida State Seminoles Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
18. Hale, David M. (December 27, 2018). "Suspensions of three Clemson players upheld after B samples test positive". ESPN. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
19. Cooper, Sam (January 3, 2019). "Clemson DL Dexter Lawrence officially ineligible for national championship vs. Alabama". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
20. Scarborough, Alex (December 25, 2018). "OL Deonte Brown among 3 Alabama players suspended for Orange Bowl". ESPN. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
21. Zenitz, Matt (December 27, 2018). "3 suspended Alabama players out indefinitely". al.com. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
22. "CFP National Championship Game Book" (PDF). January 7, 2019. p. 5. Retrieved January 20, 2019 – via rolltide.com.
23. "Alabama v Clemson: College Football Playoff national championship 2019 – live!". The Guardian. January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
24. Janower, Jacob (January 7, 2018). "Alabama vs. Clemson results: Score, highlights as Tigers dismantle Tide for College Football Playoff title". Sporting News. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
25. "2019 National Championship liveblog: Alabama vs. Clemson". footballzebras.com. January 7, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
26. "Clemson becomes first 15–0 team since 1897". 247sports.com. January 8, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
27. "Clemson vs. Alabama – Play-By-Play". ESPN. January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
28. "Clemson vs. Alabama – Scoring Summary". ncaa.com. January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
29. "Clemson vs. Alabama – Team Statistics". ESPN. January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
30. "Clemson vs. Alabama – Team Stats". ncaa.com. January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
31. Aron A. (January 3, 2019). "Lil Wayne To Join Imagine Dragons During College Football Playoff Halftime Show". hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
32. Harrington, Jim (December 13, 2018). "Huge rock act performs free halftime show for Bay Area's college football championship". The Mercury News. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
33. @DarenStoltzfus (January 8, 2019). "Fun fact – while y'all are watching Imagine Dragons on ESPN, we're watching the #Clemson and #RollTide bands play" (Tweet). Retrieved January 7, 2019 – via Twitter.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship.

• Box score at ESPN
• Alabama roster at coed.com
• Clemson roster at coed.com