by AJ Ortega and Tim Skeval
College Football is in the final home stretch as many teams have finished up their seasons with a final bowl game and the National Championship Game. This year’s bowl games featured some big names facing off head to head and some surprising finishes and comebacks.
In the final game of the College Football season, No.1 ranked Clemson faced off against No. 2 ranked Alabama for the right to call themselves National Champions. No.1 Clemson knocked off No. 4 Oklahoma 37-17 in the Orange Bowl and No. 2 Alabama shut out No. 3 Michigan State 38-0 in the Cotton Bowl.
The National Championship game was on Jan. 11 at 8:30 p.m. at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Alabama and Clemson both fought hard throughout the game, but ultimately Alabama prevailed, winning 45-40. At half both teams were tied at 14 a piece. Both teams remained even until Alabama recovered a Clemson fumble and then later scored on that drive. “That really cost them the game,” said freshman Ana Dieroff, who was upset by the loss.
Leading Alabama to victory was Heisman Trophy winner RB Derrick Henry who ran for 158 yards and three touchdowns. “The Clemson defense could stop Herny,” said freshman Max Schulman. Also Alabama’s senior quarterback Jake Coker threw for 335 yards with two touchdowns both to junior tightend O.J. Howard who added on 208 receiving yards. Although they lost, Clemson was lead by quarterback Deshaun Watson who threw for 405 yards with four touchdowns and one interception, and ran for 73 yards with one fumble.
Students and staff were satisfied by this year’s bowl games. “The TCU, Oregon game was great,” said physical education teacher Jeff Ike. Texas Christian University and Oregon University faced off in the Alamo Bowl. TCU topped Oregon 47-41 in a three overtime thriller after a 31 point comeback in the second half. Many students’ predictions vary drastically for the next College Football Championship. “I think that LSU will face Ohio State in the championship,” said junior Tyler Glowaki.
