The 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship was played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The game was played between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers. A great year of college football was capped off by an incredible game with a storybook finish.

Alabama came into the game as the top ranked team in the country, having won all their games during the season. The Tide were led by a menacing defense, and freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts. Their head coach, Nick Saban, was looking for his fifth national championship.

Clemson came into the game as the number two team in the country, with a record of 13-1. The Tigers were led by star quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, the award given to the country’s best player. The Tigers were searching for their second National Championship in school history, the first coming in 1981.

The game itself was one for the ages. Alabama took control early, with a 25- yard touchdown by running back Bo Scarborough. At the end of the first quarter, the Tide led 7-0.

In the second quarter, Alabama added to their lead with another touchdown by Scarborough, on a 37- yard run. The Tigers, however, would answer with a touchdown of their own, as Deshaun Watson scored on an eight- yard run. The Crimson Tide went to halftime with a 14-7 lead.

The third quarter continued the stellar defensive performances. Alabama increased their lead after Clemson fumbled the ball and the Tide recovered it. The Tiger defense stayed strong and Alabama was forced to settle for a field goal, increasing their lead to 17-7. Clemson responded to the field goal with a touchdown on a 24- yard pass from Watson. The score was now 17-14. Alabama would then answer that touchdown with their own, on a 68- yard pass from Jalen Hurts to tight end O.J. Howard. The score at the end of the third quarter was 24-14 with Alabama in the lead.

Clemson started the fourth quarter scoring with a pass from Watson to wide receiver Mike Williams. The Tigers then scored again with a one- yard run from running back Wayne Gallman. This gave Clemson their first lead of the game. Alabama answered with a 30- yard run from Jalen Hurts. This gave the Tide their lead back at 31-28.

With two minutes left, Clemson had one more chance to win the game. After a long drive down the field, led by the heroics of Deshaun Watson, the Tigers found themselves on the two yard line with six seconds left in the game. Watson then threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, giving the Tigers the victory, 35-31.

Deshaun Watson was named Offensive Most Valuable Player, and linebacker Ben Boulware was named Defensive Most Valuable Player.