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As Alabama operating again Najee Harris took a handoff, bounced outdoors and headed upfield, he was confronted by Notre Dame cornerback Nick McCloud, who charged as much as meet him along with his shoulder lowered.
No matter. Harris, a 6-foot-2, 229-pound senior, handled McCloud like an oversize fireplace hydrant, leaping over him with the clear, syncopated stride of an Olympic hurdler and galloping down the sideline.
The play was the signature second in Alabama’s 31-14 victory over Notre Dame in a College Football Playoff semifinal Friday night time in Arlington, Texas — Harris’s elegant athleticism epitomizing how effortlessly the Crimson Tide dispatched the Fighting Irish.
The win bolstered the legitimacy of Alabama’s return to the highest of the school soccer ladder after it missed the four-team playoff for the primary time final season. The top-ranked Crimson Tide ripped by means of a Southeastern Conference-only schedule, outscored a dogged Florida group within the convention title sport and now has superior to the Jan. 11 championship in opposition to Ohio State, which throttled Clemson, 49-28, in Friday’s different semifinal.
This matchup wouldn’t have been an amazing shock final summer season — the groups have been ranked No. 2 and three initially of the season — however the Buckeyes’ presence within the playoff is especially becoming.
In this disjointed pandemic season, their coach, Ryan Day, and their quarterback, Justin Fields, have been on the head of a marketing campaign that persuaded the Big Ten presidents to reverse course after that they had canceled the season in August.
What finalist might higher symbolize how disruptive the coronavirus has been than a group that performed solely 5 regular-season video games — three have been canceled due to outbreaks — and consequently wanted dispensation from the Big Ten to play for the convention title?
That abbreviated schedule, simply over half the size of the opposite semifinalists’ seasons, led some coaches to query whether or not Ohio State ought to have been chosen for the four-team playoff — together with Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney, who ranked the Buckeyes eleventh within the remaining coaches’ ballot.
Ohio State could have considered that as a slight, nevertheless it already had extra natural motivation in Friday’s sport — avenging a crushing 29-23 loss to the Tigers in final season’s semifinal that was sealed when Fields threw a late interception within the Clemson finish zone.
That throw was considered one of many regrets then. It was arduous for the Buckeyes to discover a critical one in New Orleans on Friday night time.
The solely actual concern is perhaps lingering bodily ache — Fields moved round gamely however gingerly after taking a crushing hit to the ribs from Clemson linebacker James Skalski, who was ejected for focusing on.
“That hit really took a toll on me,” Fields mentioned in a tv interview, including later that he acquired one or two injections within the sideline medical tent through the sport. “My ribs were killing me pretty much all game.”
The Buckeyes (7-0), who rolled up 639 yards in whole offense, will want all of the firepower (and good well being) they will muster in 10 days.
Alabama’s dynamic offense, which revolves round quarterback Mac Jones, receiver DeVonta Smith and Harris — all of whom completed within the high 5 in Heisman Trophy balloting — was held under 40 factors for the primary time since its season opener. Still, it zipped down the sector for touchdowns on its first three drives, and Notre Dame by no means really threatened the Crimson Tide.
Though Harris, who completed with a complete of 125 yards dashing, had the highlight-reel play, Smith confirmed why he’s the presumed favourite to win the Heisman. On his first contact, he took a fast go on the line of scrimmage and used a textbook block by John Metchie III to scoot 26 yards for a landing. He ended up with three touchdowns amongst his seven catches for 130 yards.
All the whereas, Jones was usually near flawless, finishing 25 of 30 passes for 297 yards.
About the one individual on Alabama’s sideline who appeared uncomfortable was Coach Nick Saban, who drew a late unsportsmanlike penalty after ranting at officers.
“We didn’t finish the game the way we liked,” Saban mentioned in a tv interview, including with a understanding smile, “I’ve always got something to complain about.”
Still, after a 12 months away from the playoffs, he was happy sufficient.
“These guys have really earned the opportunity to play in the national championship game, so we’ll see what we can do with it,” he mentioned.
If Alabama (12-0) disposed of Notre Dame (10-2) with acquainted effectivity, it was not arduous to be reminded of the circumstance beneath which this sport — and full season — came about, in the midst of a pandemic that has upended sports activities.
The brand on the heart of the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium was a well-known one on New Year’s Day — the purple stylized Rose Bowl Game brand, which usually adorns its namesake stadium in Pasadena, Calif.
But this 12 months, after Notre Dame Coach Brian Kelly threatened to boycott the Rose Bowl as a result of well being guidelines in California wouldn’t permit households to attend the sport, the Rose Bowl was moved to Texas — the primary time it had not been performed in Pasadena since 1942, when it was moved to Durham, N.C., shortly after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.
A crowd of 18,373 was allowed to look at.
They witnessed a well-known ending beneath the intense lights for Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish have now misplaced seven consecutive main bowl or playoff video games since 2000, none of which has been nearer than 14 factors.
“We just needed more firepower, quite frankly. That’s it,” Kelly mentioned, pushing again in opposition to criticism of his program’s current historical past. “There is no other wider story than we came up a little short with making a few plays.”
Clemson (10-2), regardless of profitable two nationwide championships and reaching two different title video games since 2015, ended its second consecutive season watching its protection get carved up. The Tigers surrendered 628 yards in a 42-25 loss to Louisiana State in final season’s title sport.
Fields, who handed for 385 yards and 6 touchdowns, and operating again Trey Sermon, who gashed the Tigers for 193 yards dashing, could not discover issues fairly as straightforward in opposition to Alabama.
The Crimson Tide is attempting to atone for its personal disappointment final season, and on this season of suits and begins and surprising obstacles, it has managed to clear each hurdle.
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