Clemson upsets Alabama to win national college football title

Clemson wins first national football championship since 1981 — (Image credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The Clemson Tigers squeaked past the Alabama Crimson Tide on Monday night to win the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship, 35-31. Clemson (14-1) was the underdog in the match, but the Tigers sealed their thrilling come-from-behind victory with quarterback Deshaun Watson's two-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow with 1 second on the clock, after a surprise onside kick. Watson, playing in his last college game, completed 36 of 56 passes for 420 yards. This was Alabama's (14-1) first loss in 26 games, and Clemson's first national championship since 1981, and second ever.

The Crimson Tide beat Clemson in last year's similarly riveting college football championship game.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.