Players celebrate with Alabama head coach Nick Saban after their win against Ohio State in an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Alabama won 52-24. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)The most abnormal season in college football history had a very normal ending.
Alabama is the national champion.
In a matchup of the two remaining undefeated teams from this coronavirus-altered journey, the No. 1 Crimson Tide unleashed a remarkable offensive onslaught and dismantled No. 3 Ohio State 52-24 in the title game of the four-team playoff Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The victory clinched Alabama's sixth national crown during Nick Saban's 14 seasons in Tuscaloosa, matching the championship count that legendary Crimson Tide coach Paul "Bear" Bryant needed 25 years to accumulate.
Saban won his seventh title overall, the most of any college football coach, having earned his first with LSU in 2003.
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith catches a touchdown pass against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Alabama senior receiver DeVonta Smith was dazzling less than a week after winning the Heisman Trophy, collecting 12 catches for 215 yards and three touchdowns before suffering a hand injury early in the third quarter that sidelined him for the rest of the contest. His third touchdown occurred from 42 yards out with 1:48 before halftime and provided Alabama a sizable cushion at 35-17, and the Crimson Tide opened the second half with a 16-play, 75-yard drive that consumed seven minutes and 13 seconds and culminated with Will Reichard's 20-yard field goal for a 38-17 advantage.
Crimson Tide quarterback Mac Jones thrived with Smith and persevered without him, completing 36 of 45 passes for 464 yards and five scores. Ohio State's hopes of keeping pace offensively were dealt an early setback when running back Trey Sermon injured his collarbone.
Alabama completed a 13-0 season, the program's first undefeated run since the 2009 national title team went 14-0. The Buckeyes, who had three COVID-related cancellations during the regular season, wound up 7-1.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passes against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)