Mayfield quickly led the Sooners down the field on the ensuing drive, connecting with Dede Westbrook for a 42-yard gain and freshman tight end Mark Andrews for an 11-yard score, giving OU a 17-16 lead - a lead the Sooners would take into halftime after Watson was intercepted by Zach Sanchez to end the half. The Sooners are 1-3 in those games, the one win, and a 13-2 victory over Florida State in 2001, delivering a national championship.
"It's special whoever we play", a beaming Swinney told reporters following his team's 37-17 win over Oklahoma in the first semifinal game of the College Football Playoff. Had Oklahoma stopped the attempt - or Clemson just punted - the Sooners would've come up with a huge stop and halted some Tiger momentum.
With one more win, they'll be known as something else. Coach Dabo Swinney shouted from the middle of the field, standing with a trophy full of oranges. Said defensive coordinator Brent Venables, "The second half of the season, we hadn't had that mentality, that step on their throat, taste blood mentality-until today".
Clemson will play in the National Championship game on January 11th. "It won't be much longer". Watson was a Heisman finalist for a reason, but there was a moment tonight that reminded me that it's not just Watson's talents that make him stand out to me. He was named the offensive MVP.
Near the end of the first half, with his team trailing 17-16, Watson led a drive down the field in the closing minutes, and had Clemson in ideal position to get the lead back.
The Jan. 11 title game in Glendale, Arizona, matches a high-scoring offense led by Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson against Nick Saban's latest dominating defense at Alabama, which limited the Big Ten champion Spartans to 239 yards.
Clemson scored its first touchdown two plays later, early in the second quarter, responding to a middling first quarter with an aggressive gamble that paid off. There was to be no tentativeness, and no lack of confidence. On fourth-and-1, Mayfield pretended to bark orders to his offensive line while center Ty Darlington direct snapped it to Samaje Perine, who ran right into Clemson's defensive line and didn't pick up the first.
After Thursday night at Sun Life Stadium, that should change.
Viewers apparently weren't sold on the idea of sharing their New Year's Eve with the College Football Playoff as television ratings for both semifinals games were down significantly from last season.
"I hate that he got hurt, but I just want to thank God for having me ready for this opportunity", Bryant said. In the final game of the night, the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Oklahoma State is squaring off with Mississippi.
Gallman put a cap on the scoring in the 4th with a 4 yard touchdown to make it 37-17.
"Every single time this year that our guys have faced any type of adversity, they've answered it, and that's what championship teams have to do", Scott said. The Tigers lined up to punt, but punter Andy Teasdall rolled out to pass, finding defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who slipped out of the backfield, caught the ball and picked up 31 yards.
"They were the team that we thought they were", Oklahoma defensive end Charles Tapper said. After going 8-5 a year ago, including a 40-6 loss to Clemson in the Russell Athletic Bowl, coach Bob Stoops shook up his staff and guided the Sooners within two victories of their first national title since 2000.
Other times he just danced to dance.
George Lucas wasn't happy with 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'
Of course, most of these interviews are done long before the films premiere or in this case before the Kennedy Center Honors. In a statement issued Thursday, Lucas says he misspoke and used a "very inappropriate analogy".
