<P> Alabama opened the game with a three - and - out, and Clemson failed to capitalize, turning the ball over on downs after failing to convert a 4th & 1 . On Alabama's ensuing drive, Bo Scarbrough opened the game's scoring with a 25 - yard rushing touchdown . The first quarter ended with Alabama leading Clemson, 7--0 . Scarbrough scored again in the second quarter, on a 37 - yard rush to increase Alabama's lead to 14--0 . Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson scored the Tigers' first touchdown of the game on an eight--yard run with six minutes left in the second quarter . The game went to halftime with Alabama leading, 14--7 . </P> <P> The Tigers turned the ball over on their first drive in the second half; their fumble was recovered by Ryan Anderson and returned to Clemson's 16 yard line--the Tide increased their lead to 10 after converting a 27 - yard field goal . Clemson cut the lead to three with seven minutes left in the third quarter after Watson found Hunter Renfrow over the middle for a 24 - yard touchdown pass . After an injury to Scarbrough, the Tide came out and scored on a 68 - yard pass from Jalen Hurts to O.J. Howard on the next play; this put Alabama back up by ten points with 1: 53 left in the third quarter, which ended with Alabama leading Clemson, 24--14 . Clemson scored just three plays into the final quarter as Watson threw a touchdown pass to Mike Williams; this cut the lead down to 24--21 . With 4: 38 to go in the game, Clemson took their first lead in the game after Wayne Gallman scored on a one - yard touchdown rush; Alabama got the ball back on their own 32 yard line with 4: 38 remaining in the game . The drive came to a 3rd & 16, on which Jalen Hurts found ArDarius Stewart for a 15 - yard pass to set up a 4th & 1, which the Tide converted via a Damien Harris 5 - yard rush . Hurts found the end zone on a 30 - yard rush just a few plays later to give Alabama the lead back, 31--28 . </P> <P> Clemson took possession of the ball with 2: 01 on the clock and the ball on their own 36 yard line . After another long catch by Mike Williams, the drive came to a 3rd & 3 on the Alabama 32 yard line, which was converted on a pass to Renfrow to the Alabama 26 yard line with 0: 19 left . The next play saw Watson find Jordan Leggett on a pass down to the Tide 9 yard line with 0: 14 left . Watson threw to the end zone on 1st & goal; the pass was overthrown and the clock stopped with 0: 09 . On 2nd & goal, Watson targeted Mike Williams, who was tripped in the end zone . The resulting pass interference call gave the Tigers 1st & goal with the ball placed on the 2 - yard line with 0: 06 left . On the next play, Watson threw a touchdown pass to Renfrow with 0: 01 left; putting Clemson back in the lead, 35--31 . After Clemson recovered an onside kick attempting to run out the clock, the game ended with a kneel - down and Clemson won the National Championship Game . </P> <P> Watson, who went 36 - for - 56 (7001640000000000000 ♠ 64%) on pass attempts for 420 yards with three passing touchdowns, and ran for 43 yards and one rushing touchdown, was named the game's Offensive Most Valuable Player . Ben Boulware, who recorded six tackles, including one for loss of yards, was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player . </P>

Who won last year's college football championship