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What Dabo Swinney said after Clemson’s National Championship victory over Alabama

Jason Fraychineaud

By Jason Fraychineaud

Published:

Clemson had a monumental task in Monday night’s National Championship Game. The Tigers were facing an undefeated Alabama team possessing arguably the best defense in the Nick Saban era.

Down seven points at halftime, Clemson engineered a thrilling come-from-behind last-second 35-31 victory over the Crimson Tide.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson proved why he’s considered by many to be the best quarterback in all of college football. He finished the evening 36-of-56 for 420 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 43 yards and another score. Unsurprisingly Watson was named as the game’s MVP.

The unsung hero in the contest was former walk-on receiver Hunter Renfrow. Going up against a litany of former 5-star prospects, Renfrow hauled in a team-high 10 catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Time after time, he made clutch plays whilst Watson was under duress.

It marks the second National Title in program history, and the first for head coach Dabo Swinney. He became the first individual since Bud Wilkinson to win an AP National Title as both a player and as a head coach. Swinney ironically enough was a receiver on Alabama’s 1992 title team.

Swinney spoke about what it meant to defeat his alma mater on the field:

“Well, it’s a blessing. It’s surreal. I love my team. I told them tonight that the difference in this game is the love they have for each other. I knew they wouldn’t quit. I talked to them about letting the light inside of them. Always be brighter than the light that’s shining on them. If they focused on that, they’d be okay. Only God can do this. Eight years ago, [Former AD] Terry Don Phillips gave me a chance to lead this program. We set out to put Clemson back on top.

“We came up a little short last year. But tonight, at the top of the mountain that Clemson flag is flying. This has been the most incredible team I’ve ever been around. Our fans deserve this. 35 years since Clemson’s been on top. All of my teams have a piece of this. Everything we’ve done once we’ve done again.

“Hopefully before they put me out to pasture, we can do this a few more times.”

 

Jason Fraychineaud

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