For the 2017 University of Alabama football season, TideSports intern Terrin Waack has provided select stellar stats, obscure facts and notable quotes from the most recent game to show how the Crimson Tide uses “The Process” against its opponents.
NEW ORLEANS — No. 4 Alabama defeated No. 1 Clemson, 24-6, in the 84th Allstate Sugar Bowl on Monday with 72,360 people watching at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Stellar stats
• Clemson is the first team since Auburn in 1984 that failed to reach the end zone in a Sugar Bowl. Both teams are the Tigers, but Auburn won its game. Otherwise, Georgia was the last team to not score a touchdown and lose the game (in 1977).
• Well, that was a big change. Alabama converted on three of its five third downs in the first quarter alone. Last year against Clemson, it went 2-for-15 through all four quarters.
• The Crimson Tide’s five sacks tied for the most in a College Football Playoff semifinal game. Alabama did it against Washington in 2016. Clemson did the year before against Oklahoma.
• The SEC is 5-2 against the ACC in the Sugar Bowl. Clemson has never won one. Granted, this was just its second try.
• Neither Alabama nor Clemson totaled more than 300 offensive yards each. That hasn’t happened in a Sugar Bowl since 2003.
• Alabama has now made a record 16 Sugar Bowl appearances. You know what else the Crimson Tide has done? Won 16 national championship titles.
Obscure facts
• Alabama defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne caught a yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. He is 308 pounds.
• Clemson’s Austin Spence made a 44-yard field in goal in the second quarter, good for the fourth-longest field goal in a CFP semifinal game. Meanwhile, Alabama’s Andy Pappanastos missed one from 38 yards out in that same period.
• Tigers coach Dabo Swinney became the 50th different head coach to lose a Sugar Bowl debut.
• Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans and punter JK Scott have now played in six CFP games in their career. No one else on the Crimson Tide can say that.
• For the upcoming CFP National Championship Game, Kendrick Lamar will perform at halftime. Farewell, Million Dollar Band.
• Alabama coach Nick Saban has never lost (11-0) to one of his former assistant coaches. He’s about to go up against former UA defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, who now leads Georgia, for the ultimate college football title.
Quoting Nick Saban
On giving Alabama defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne the opportunity to catch a touchdown pass …
“When he made the interception, there was no doubt that we were going to throw him the ball on the goal line.”
Quoting the Crimson Tide
Quarterback Jalen Hurts on playing Georgia for the national championship …
“So Georgia came back? SEC Championship.”
Quoting the opponent
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney on this matchup specifically …
“Everybody talks about the trilogy and all of that like somebody is fixing to die or something, like the world is coming to an end. We will be back, and so will (Alabama).”
Name of the game
CU: Will and Jack Swinney
Will is a freshman wide receiver for the Tigers and the head coach’s son. Jack, a redshirt senior, is also a wide receiver but Dabo’s nephew.
GAME LEADERS
Top 3 rushers
1. UA: Damien Harris, 19 carries for 77 yards
2. UA: Jalen Hurts, 11 carries for 40 yards
3. UA: Bo Scarbrough, 12 carries for 24 yards
Top 3 receivers
1. CU: Deon Cain, six receptions for 75 yards
2. UA: Calvin Ridley, four receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown
3. CU: Hunter Renfrow, five receptions for 31 yards
Top 3 passers
1. CU: Kelly Bryant, 18-36-2 for 124 yards (sacked five times)
2. UA: Jalen Hurts, 16-24-0 for 120 yards and two touchdowns (sacked twice)
3. CU: Tavien Feaster, 0-1-0 for no yards
Top 3 defenders
1. CU: Kendall Joseph, 10 total tackles (a forced fumble)
2. UA: Rashaan Evans, nine total tackles (a pass breakup and a sack)
3. CU: Van Smith, eight total tackles (a pass breakup)
NEXT UP
Alabama (12-1) will play in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Georgia (13-1) on Monday in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The game will be at 7 p.m. CT and air on ESPN.
