Head coach Dabo Swinney added two new additions to the Tigers' coaching staff in late March 2016 with Mickey Conn and Kyle Richardson.[3] Swinney hired former Grayson (GA) head coach Mickey Conn as a defensive analyst for the Tigers along with former Northwestern (SC) head coach Kyle Richardson, who will serve as the team's offensive analyst. Both coaches were extremely successful at their former high schools with a combined win–loss record of 195–61 and numerous championship titles.[4][5]
Clemson began the year ranked second in the AP Poll and traveled to unranked historic rivalAuburn to begin the season. Clemson survived an early scare and won the game 19–13.[8]
Clemson received the opening kickoff and got as far as the Auburn 32 yard line but failed to convert on 4th and 5. Both teams struggled to move the ball for the first quarter. Auburn opened the scoring early in the second quarter with a 53-yard field goal by Daniel Carlson. Clemson responded with a 13-play, 84-yard drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run by Wayne Gallman. Clemson got the ball back with 3:00 left in the half and extended their lead with a 30-yard field goal by Greg Huegel. The score was 10–3 at halftime.
After forcing an Auburn three-and-out to open the second half, Clemson again kicked a field goal, this one from 40-yards out to bring the score to 13–3 Clemson. After the teams traded interceptions and another set of unsuccessful downs, Auburn kicked a 32-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. Clemson responded with a 75-yard drive that ended with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to Hunter Renfrow, but Greg Heugel's extra point attempt missed off the upright, after which the score was 19–6 with 9:59 left in the game. Auburn's Kerryon Johnson scored a nine-yard touchdown run with 3:22 left to pull within 6 points. Clemson drove to the Auburn 17 yard line, but elected to go for it on 4th and 4 with 40 seconds left in the game rather than kick a field goal to potentially go up by 9 points. The fourth down attempt failed, and Auburn had a chance to win the game with their final drive. Head coach Dabo Swinney explained the decision: "We just didn't want to take a shot at the field goal right there. We felt like as good as we had played defensively, with them having no timeouts, it was going to be very difficult for them to go score." Auburn advanced to the Clemson 40 yard line, but a series of Hail Mary passes came up incomplete, and the game was over. Deshaun Watson finished with 248 yards in the game, and wide receiver Mike Williams finished with 174 yards.[8]
TROY - Deondre Douglas 11 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TD
Clemson returned home for their home opener against Troy of the Sun Belt Conference. The Tigers had another surprisingly close game against an unranked opponent, pulling away late for a 30–24 win.[11]
After the two teams each went three-and-out on their first two drives, Troy opened the scoring with a 39-yard field goal. Clemson tied the game with a 26-yard field goal on the following drive. Early in the second quarter, Clemson scored the game's first touchdown with a Deshaun Watson 35-yard pass to Hunter Renfrow. Troy tied the game on the next drive with a 66-yard touchdown run by Jabir Frye. Later in the quarter, Clemson kicked a 32-yard field goal to take a 13–10 lead. On Troy's next drive, the Trojans were forced to punt, and Clemson's Ray-Ray McCloud appeared to return the punt 75 yards for a touchdown. The play was reviewed, however, and it was revealed that McCloud celebrated too early and released the ball for a fumble just before the goal line. Troy was awarded the ball at the 20 yard line and advanced into Clemson territory, but missed a 48-yard field goal attempt just before the half.
The third quarter featured no points scored, with seven punts by the two teams and a Deshaun Watson interception. Early in the fourth quarter, Clemson capped off an 81-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown pass from Watson to defensive end Christian Wilkins. On the next drive, Clemson scored another touchdown via a 23-yard pass from Watson to Deon Cain to push the score to 27–10 Clemson. With 4:59 left in the game, Troy scored another touchdown via a two-yard pass from Brandon Silvers to Deondre Douglas. Clemson kicked a field goal on the following drive. With 44 seconds left, Troy pulled within 6 points by scoring another touchdown with another Silvers to Douglas pass. Troy's onside kick attempt failed, and Clemson drained the clock to win the game. Deshaun Watson finished with 292 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in the game.[11]
For their third game of the year, Clemson hosted in-state FCS foe South Carolina State. Clemson won in a predictable blow-out, 59–0. The two teams' head coaches agreed at halftime to shorten the quarters in the second half to 12 minutes each from the usual 15 minutes.[14]
Clemson scored on each of their first six drives in the first half, and had a special teams score as well. On the opening drive, Deshaun Watson completed a seven-yard touchdown pass to Ray-Ray McCloud. On the second drive, running back Wayne Gallman ran for a three-yard score. On the ensuing kickoff, the SC State return man fielded the ball in the endzone, and flipped the ball toward the referee without ever signalling for a fair catch or kneeling with the ball for a touchback. Clemson jumped on the ball in the endzone for the touchdown. After a 45-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Nick Schuessler to Diondre Overton, a Bulldog interception, and a Tiger field goal, Clemson was up 31–0 at the end of the first quarter. Deshaun Watson added two touchdown passes in the second quarter, and the score was 45–0 at halftime. In shortened quarters in the second half, Clemson added two more touchdowns via a run by Tavien Feaster and a pass from Kelly Bryant to Trevion Thompson. With the 59–0 win, Clemson improved to 31–0 all-time against FCS opponents.[15]
Clemson next traveled to Atlanta for a Thursday night game against Georgia Tech in their conference opener. Clemson rolled early and came away with a convincing 26–7 win.[17]
Clemson received the opening kickoff and scored in their opening drive via a four-yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to Mike Williams. Clemson's next drive ended in a missed 27-yard field goal by Greg Heugel, but the Tigers scored on the following drive with a one-yard run by Wayne Gallman. Late in the second quarter, Watson threw an interception in Georgia Tech's endzone, but the Georgia Tech defender fumbled the ball and his teammate fell on it for a Clemson safety. The Tigers then marched down the field in the final minutes of the half and scored another touchdown, a nine-yard pass from Watson to Jordan Leggett, to bring the score to 23–0 at halftime. The second half was mostly uneventful, with the first points coming early in the fourth quarter via a Georgia Tech two-yard touchdown run to break up shutout. Clemson added a field goal to bring the score to 26–7 at the end. Deshaun Watson crossed the 300 yard mark for the first time on the year, finishing with 304 yards and two touchdowns.[17]
Clemson returned home for a highly anticipated match-up against Louisville. The Cardinals were led by eventual Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Lamar Jackson and were ranked third in the country, while Clemson had slid to fifth in the polls. ESPN College Gameday came to campus during the week of the game. The game lived up to the hype, as Clemson won a tight contest, 42–36.[20]
The game started off slowly, with each team punting on their first three possessions. Louisville struck first in the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run by Jeremy Smith. Clemson tied the game with a 33-yard pass from Deshaun Watson to Deon Cain. After a Louisville fumble at their own 39 yard line, Wayne Gallman extended the Clemson lead with a 24-yard touchdown run. With 3:27 left in the half, Watson completed another touchdown pass to Cain. Louisville kicked a field goal with 36 seconds left in the half, but Watson led a rapid touchdown drive before the half, completing a five-yard pass to Artavis Scott to make the score 28–10.
The start of the second half went much better for the Cardinals, as they scored 26 unanswered points to take the lead. Clemson's first drive ended with a Deshaun Watson interception at their own 36 yard line, after which Lamar Jackson completed an eight-yard touchdown pass to James Quick. Louisville added a field goal, and then, after a fumble by Clemson's Jordan Leggett, scored another touchdown, this time on a one-yard Lamar Jackson run. Louisville added another field goal, followed by another Watson interception. Lamar Jackson led the Cardinals down the field and ran in for an 11-yard touchdown to take a 36–28 lead with 7:52 remaining in the game. Clemson's Artavis Scott returned the ensuing kickoff 77 yards to the Louisville 23 yard line, and Deshaun Watson connected with Mike Williams for a 20-yard touchdown two plays later. A Clemson two-point conversion attempt ended in an interception, and so Clemson trailed by two points. The Tiger defense forced a Louisville three-and-out, and Watson led Clemson down the field again and scored a 31-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Leggett to take the lead with 3:14 remaining. Watson and Leggett connected again for the two-point conversion and a six-point lead. Lamar Jackson led the Cardinals down the field and got as far as the Clemson 9 yard line in the final minute of the game, but failed to convert on 4th and 12 and turned the ball over on downs. Clemson wound down the clock to win the game.
Deshaun Watson threw for 306 passing yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. He added 91 rushing yards on the ground. Louisville's Lamar Jackson had 295 passing yards and 162 rushing yards.[20]
Boston College was forced to punt after their first drive, but Clemson's Ray-Ray McCloud fumbled the punt at Clemson's own nine yard line. BC settled for a 21-yard field goal four plays later. On the next drive, Wayne Gallman broke off a 59-yard touchdown run to take the lead for the Tigers. Deshaun Watson added two more first quarter touchdowns for Clemson via a nine-yard pass to Mike Williams and a 56-yard pass to Jordan Leggett. Neither team scored in the second quarter, and the score was 21–3 at halftime. Clemson scored touchdowns on each of their first three drives of the second half to put the game away. The first was a 29-yard pass from Watson to Deon Cain, followed by another Watson-to-Cain connection for 16 yards. Boston College's sole touchdown came in the third quarter via a one-yard pass from Bobby Wolford to Patrick Towles. Clemson scored two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter, from Tyshon Dye and Tavien Feaster. Clemson scored one last time in the final two minutes with a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown by Mark Fields.[23]
Clemson next returned home to face ACC opponent NC State. Clemson survived another close call and won the game in overtime, 24–17.[26]
Clemson got on the board first with a late first quarter field goal by Greg Huegel. NC State answered with a field goal of their own with 2:03 left in the first half. Deshaun Watson led a successful two-minute drill and scored the game's first touchdown via a 13-yard pass to Mike Williams just before the half to secure a 10–3 lead. Clemson received the second half kickoff, but two plays later, Watson threw his first career pick six, returned 28 yards for a touchdown by NC State's Mike Stevens. Clemson fumbled the ball on their next two possessions, but benefited from a missed field goal and took a 17–10 lead with a Watson touchdown run late in the third quarter. NC State responded with a 14-play touchdown drive that ended in a two-yard run by Matthew Dayes to tie the game. Clemson was forced to punt with 6:39 remaining, and NC State was able to wind down the clock and drive the ball down to the Clemson 16 yard line. NC State kicker Kyle Bambard lined up for the potential game-winning field goal from just 33 yards out, but missed it wide right as time expired in regulation. In overtime, Clemson was able to score a touchdown with a 10-yard pass from Deshaun Watson to Artavis Scott. NC State's possession ended on the first play when Ryan Finley threw an interception caught by Marcus Edmond in the endzone.
After the win against NC State, Clemson traveled to Tallahassee, Florida to face No. 12 Florida State. Clemson pulled off yet another close win, pulling ahead late to win 37–34. It was their first win on the road against FSU in 10 years.[28]
Clemson scored on the game's opening drive via a one-yard run by Wayne Gallman, and scored again on their following drive with a four-yard pass from Deshaun Watson to Hunter Renfrow to take an early 14–0. After a Watson interception at the FSU 40 yard line, the Seminoles scored with a four-yard run by Dalvin Cook. Clemson added a field goal with 1:49 left in the half, but Florida State was able to march down the field and score a five-yard touchdown pass from Deandre Francois to Nyqwan Murray before the half, making the score 17–14 Clemson at halftime.
Clemson kicked a field goal on their first possession of the second half, but in their next possession, Watson threw another interception at their own 43 yard line. On the next play, Dalvin Cook ran the ball to the house for a touchdown and the lead. Later in the quarter, Cook extended the Florida State lead to eight with a 70-yard touchdown run. Clemson responded with a 75-yard drive that ended with a two-yard Wayne Gallman touchdown run to pull within two. The Tigers took a one point lead with a 46-yard field goal with 5:25 remaining. Dalvin Cook scored his career-high-setting fourth touchdown of the day with an eight-yard run with 3:23 remaining to claim the lead again for Florida State. Deshaun Watson responded with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Leggett, and the Tigers converted the two-point attempt to secure a 37–34 lead with 2:06 remaining. Florida State got as far as the Clemson 34 yard line, but penalties and a sack by Christian Wilkins pushed them far out of field goal range to end the game. Deshaun Watson finished with 430 total yards of offense in the game.[28]
After beating Florida State, Clemson returned home to face Syracuse. Clemson won in a blowout, 54–0.[31]
Deshaun Watson scored the game's first three touchdowns before leaving the game with a bruised shoulder. Head coach Dabo Swinney said the injury was not likely to affect the next week's game against Pittsburgh. His first touchdown came via a one-yard run, followed by a 65-yard pass to Deon Cain and then a 14-yard pass to Mike Williams. Nick Schuessler and Kelly Bryant traded snaps at quarterback for the remainder of the game. Schuessler had two touchdowns through the air, while Wayne Gallman added another on the ground. Tanner Muse added a 64-yard interception return in the fourth quarter for Clemson's last points of the day.[31]
PITT - Scott Orndoff 9 receptions, 128 yards, 2 TD
Clemson's next game was against Pittsburgh. The Panthers stunned the Tigers at home, winning by a score of 43–42. It was the first loss to an unranked opponent in 46 games for Clemson, who at the time of the game was ranked second in the CFP rankings and third in the AP Poll.[34]
Pittsburgh received the opening kickoff and scored on their first drive with a pass from Nathan Peterman to George Aston from 15 yards out. Wayne Gallman tied the game for Clemson with a one-yard touchdown run two drives later. Pittsburgh responded with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Peterman to James Conner, which was followed by another one-yard Gallman run to tie the game at 14 apiece at the end of the first quarter. Clemson took the lead with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to Mike Williams, but Pittsburgh scored once again with a 55-yard touchdown pass from Peterman to Scott Orndoff. Chris Blewitt's extra point missed, so Pittsburgh trailed 21–20. The Panthers took the lead with 2:23 left in the first half with another Peterman touchdown pass, this time from one yard out complete to George Aston. Clemson took back their one point lead with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Watson to Artavis Scott with 1:09 remaining in the half. Pittsburgh drove to the Clemson 35 yard line in the final minute, but Blewitt's 53-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Dexter Lawrence.
In the second half, Clemson extended their lead to eight with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to Deon Cain. Pittsburgh once again cut the lead to one with a Nathan Peterman touchdown pass, his fifth of the game, a career high. Near the end of the third quarter, Clemson running back Wayne Gallman scored another touchdown from one yard out. In the fourth quarter, with Clemson driving again, Watson threw an interception in the Pittsburgh endzone, which was returned 70 yards to the Clemson 30 by Saleem Brightwell. Three plays later, Pittsburgh pulled within two points with 5:17 remaining with a 20-yard run by James Conner (their two point conversion attempt failed). Watson and the Clemson offense drove to the Pittsburgh 35 yard line, but Wayne Gallman was stuffed on 4th and 1 to turn the ball over with 58 seconds to go. Peterman led the Pittsburgh offense down the field, and Chris Blewitt kicked the go-ahead 48-yard field goal with six seconds remaining. Deshaun Watson finished with a career-high 580 passing yards in the game.[34]
Following the loss to Pittsburgh, Clemson traveled to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to face Wake Forest with a chance to clinch the ACC Atlantic Division title. Clemson did just that with a 35–13 victory.[37]
Clemson scored on each of their first four possessions to take a commanding 28–0 lead. The first score came with a 42-yard touchdown run by Wayne Gallman. Deshaun Watson then ran one in himself from three yards, followed by a 15-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams, and another rushing touchdown early in the second quarter. On Wake Forest's next possession, they were forced to punt, but Clemson's Ray-Ray McCloud fumbled the punt on Clemson's 27 yard line. Wake Forest settled for a 42-yard field goal four plays later. The Demon Deacons were able to drive down the field on their next possession and score a one-yard touchdown run to make the score 28–10 at halftime. Wake Forest was first to score in the second half with a 23-yard field goal. Wayne Gallman punched in a one-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter to secure the 35–13 lead for Clemson that held until the end of the game.[37]
Clemson held their regular season finale at home against in-state rival South Carolina. Clemson won in a blowout, 56–7, the school's third straight win against South Carolina and their largest margin of victory in the series since winning 51–0 in 1900.[40]
Clemson's first drive of the game ended with a blocked 39-yard field goal attempt, but on the next play they intercepted a pass from South Carolina's Jake Bentley, and scored a touchdown three plays later via a 34-yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to Mike Williams. Watson and Williams connected again for a 19-yard touchdown on the next drive, and on the drive after that Watson threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Leggett to take a 21–0 lead in the first quarter. Clemson added two more touchdowns in the final 3:06 of the first half with an eight-yard run by Wayne Gallman and another Watson-Williams pass from 16 yards out. The score was 35–0 at halftime. In the second half, Clemson scored on their first possession with a pass from Watson to C. J. Fuller. South Carolina broke up the shutout on the next drive with a 33-yard pass from wide receiver Deebo Samuel to Bryan Edwards. Clemson responded with yet another touchdown, with Deshaun Watson throwing his fifth touchdown pass of the game (a career high) to Artavis Scott. Kelly Bryant added a rushing touchdown before the end of the game to bring the final score to 56–7.[40]
Clemson and Louisville both finished with ACC records of 7–1, but since Clemson won the head-to-head match-up, the Tigers won the tiebreaker to represent the Atlantic Division in the 2016 ACC Championship Game in Orlando, Florida. Clemson defeated Coastal Division champion Virginia Tech, 42–35, to win the Atlantic Coast Conference for the second straight year.[42]
Clemson received the opening kickoff and scored on their opening drive via a three-yard touchdown run by Deshaun Watson. They expanded their lead to 14 on the next drive with a 21-yard pass from Watson to Jordan Leggett. Near the end of the first quarter, Virginia Tech got on the board with a one-yard touchdown run by Travon McMillian. Clemson responded with another touchdown pass from Watson to Leggett from 10 yards out. Virginia Tech scored another touchdown with 4:09 left in the half with an 11-yard touchdown run by Jerod Evans to make the score 21–14 Clemson. This proved to be the final score of the half.
After two Virginia Tech punts and a Deshaun Watson interception to start the second half, Clemson scored on an 89-yard drive that ended with a Wayne Gallman eight-yard run. Later in the quarter, Watson, scored on a two-yard run to make the score 35–14. Virginia Tech scored 14 unanswered points with touchdown runs by Travon McMillian and Jerod Evans to pull within a touchdown of Clemson. Deshaun Watson again extended the lead with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow. Virginia Tech scored again on their next possession with a 26-yard pass from Jerod Evans to Cam Phillips with 5:43 remaining. Down by seven points, Virginia Tech drove to the Clemson 23 yard line in the final two minutes, but a Jerod Evans pass was intercepted by Cordrea Tankersley. Clemson wound down the clock to end the game.[42]
In the final College Football Playoff rankings of the year, Clemson (12–1) was ranked second, earning them their second consecutive playoff bid and a spot in the semifinal game to be played at the Fiesta Bowl. Their opponent was Ohio State (11–1), who was somewhat controversially ranked third after failing to reach the Big Ten Championship Game by finishing in second in the East Division to Penn State. Ohio State was considered a three-point favorite in the game by Las Vegas sportsbooks.[43] Clemson shutout the Buckeyes by a score of 31–0 in the Fiesta Bowl to advance to the CFP Championship Game. It was the second shutout in the history of the CFP.[44]
Clemson's first drive ended abruptly with a Deshaun Watson interception on their second play at their own 33 yard line. Ohio State failed to capitalize, missing a 47-yard field goal four plays later. Clemson's next drive ended with a 45-yard field goal by Greg Heugel. Ohio State missed another 47-yard field goal on their next possession. Clemson scored their first touchdown on the following drive with a one-yard run by Deshaun Watson. They extended their lead with 2:21 left in the first half with a 30-yard pass from Watson to C. J. Fuller. The score was 17–0 at halftime. The third quarter featured little offensive success for either team until Deshaun Watson scored a seven-yard touchdown run late in the quarter. Ohio State's J. T. Barrett threw two interceptions on their following two drives, and Clemson scored again with a seven-yard run by Wayne Gallman to make the score 31–0 with 8:51 left to play. This proved to be the final score of the game. Deshaun Watson was named offensive MVP, and defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell was named defensive MVP.[44][45][46]
By winning the Fiesta Bowl, Clemson advanced to the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship to face the winner of the Peach Bowl, top-seeded Alabama (14–0). Clemson had lost to Alabama in the previous year's national championship, and this marked the first time since the inception of college football national title games in the 1990s of a rematch played between two schools. Alabama was considered a 6.5-point favorite to repeat as champions.[48] Clemson won in dramatic fashion, 35–31, to secure their first national title since 1981.[49]
Alabama was the first to score, with a 25-yard touchdown by Bo Scarbrough. They extended their lead to 14 with a 37-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, again by Scarbrough. Three drives later, Clemson got on the board with an eight-yard touchdown run by Deshaun Watson with 6:09 left in the half. Both teams failed to score for the rest of the half, and the score was 14–7 Alabama at halftime.
Clemson received the second half kickoff, but four plays into the drive Wayne Gallman fumbled the ball at their own 28 yard line, and it was returned by Alabama's Ryan Anderson to the 16 yard line. Alabama failed to move the ball and settled for a 27-yard field goal. The two teams traded punts on their next possessions, before Deshaun Watson connected with Hunter Renfrow for a 24-yard touchdown pass to pull within three points. The two teams again traded punts, before Alabama's Jalen Hurts threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to tight end O. J. Howard to make the score 24–14 at the end of the third quarter. Clemson responded with a 72-yard drive that ended with a four-yard touchdown pass from Watson to Mike Williams to again pull within three. The defenses forced punts on the following five drives. With 4:38 left in the game, Clemson's Wayne Gallman scored a one-yard touchdown to take the lead. Alabama's Jalen Hurts led the Crimson Tide down the field on the following drive, and with 2:07 remaining scored a 30-yard touchdown run.
Down by four, Deshaun Watson marched the Tigers offense down the field in the final two minutes. Watson connected with Jordan Leggett for a 17-yard pass to the Alabama nine yard line with 19 seconds remaining. On second down, Alabama was charged with pass interference, bringing the ball to the two yard line with 9 seconds remaining. On the next play, Deshaun Watson rolled to his right and found a wide-open Hunter Renfrow in the endzone for the go-ahead touchdown with just one second showing on the clock. Clemson was able to recover the ensuing onside kick and kneeled on the final play to win the game. Deshaun Watson was named offensive MVP, and linebacker Ben Boulware was named defensive MVP.[49]
The 2008 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Tommy Bowden, who resigned six games into his tenth season. The interim head coach was assistant coach Dabo Swinney. The Tigers play their home games in Memorial Stadium.
The 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship was a college football bowl game played on January 11, 2016, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The second College Football Playoff National Championship, the game determined a national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) for the 2015 season. This was the culminating game of the 2015–16 bowl season. Sponsored by telecommunications company AT&T, the game was officially known as the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T.
Derrick Deshaun Watson is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers, leading the team to a national championship in 2016. Watson was selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Houston Texans.
The 2015 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It marked the Crimson Tide's 121st overall season, 82nd as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and its 24th within the SEC Western Division. The team played its home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They were led by ninth-year head coach Nick Saban. They finished the season with a record of 14 wins and 1 loss, as SEC champions and as consensus national champions after they defeated Clemson in the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship Game. Alabama also secured its 10th Associated Press (AP) national title. Running back Derrick Henry became Alabama's second Heisman Trophy recipient. He led the nation in both rushing yards (2,219) and rushing touchdowns (28).
The 2015 Kentucky Wildcats football team represents the University of Kentucky in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wildcats compete in its 122nd season and 82nd as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) as part of its Eastern Division. The team is led by head coach Mark Stoops, which is his third year coaching the team, and the Wildcats play its home games at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.
The 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship was a college football bowl game that was played on January 9, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The third College Football Playoff National Championship, the game determined a national champion for the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) for the 2016 season. It was the culminating game of the 2016–17 bowl season. Sponsored by telecommunications company AT&T, the game was officially known as the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T.
The 2015 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Dabo Swinney in his seventh full year and eighth overall since taking over midway through 2008 season. They played their home games at Memorial Stadium, also known as "Death Valley." Clemson competed in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. On December 5, 2015, the Tigers won the 2015 ACC Championship Game by defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels, 45–37, capping their first undefeated regular season since winning the national title in 1981. Ranked No. 1 throughout the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, Clemson defeated the No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners, 37–17, in the 2015 Orange Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship. Despite the success of the season, and entering the championship game with an undefeated record (14–0), they lost to the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (13–1) in the national championship, 45–40. Both Clemson and Alabama finished the season 14–1.
The 2015 Capital One Orange Bowl was a college football bowl game that was played on December 31, 2015, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The 82nd Orange Bowl was a College Football Playoff semifinal with the winner of the game competing against the winner of the 2015 Cotton Bowl: Alabama Crimson Tide football in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship, which took place at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. It was one of the 2015–16 bowl games that concluded the 2015 FBS football season. The Orange Bowl game is usually played at night, but with a 4pm starting time, this Orange Bowl game was the first with an afternoon kickoff in 51 years.
The Clemson Tigers football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Clemson Tigers football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, kicking, and scoring. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Tigers represent Clemson University in the NCAA's Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The 2016 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Panthers were led by second-year head coach Pat Narduzzi and played their home games at Heinz Field. They were a member of the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The season marked Pitt's fourth season as a member of the ACC. The Panthers finished the season 8–5, 5–3 in ACC play to finish in a three-way tie for second place in the Coastal Division. The Panthers received an invitation to the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium where they lost to Northwestern 31–24.
The 2017 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers played their home games at Jordan–Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by fifth-year head coach Gus Malzahn. Auburn finished the season 10–4 overall and 7–1 in SEC play to win a share of the Western Division title with Alabama. Due to their head-to-head win over Alabama, they represented the Western Division in the SEC Championship Game where they lost to Georgia. They were invited to the Peach Bowl, where they lost to American Athletic Conference champion UCF.
The 2017 Houston Texans season was the franchise's 16th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the fourth under head coach Bill O'Brien. With the Texans' loss at the Titans in Week 13, Houston exceeded their loss total (7) from 2014, 2015 and 2016. The Texans clinched their first losing season since 2013, and finished in last place in the AFC South for the first time since 2013. The Texans also missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
The 2017 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Boilermakers competed as members of the West Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. They were led by first-year head coach Jeff Brohm. They finished the season 7–6, 4–5 in Big Ten play to finish in a tie for third place in the West Division. They received a bid to the Foster Farms Bowl, their first bowl game since 2012, where they beat Arizona.
The National Football League playoffs for the 2019 season began with the Wildcard Round on January 4, 2020, and concluded with Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on February 2, when the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 31–20.
The 2018 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers played their home games at Memorial Stadium, also known as "Death Valley," and competed in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They were led by head coach Dabo Swinney in his tenth full year and 11th overall since taking over midway through 2008 season.
The 2019 season was the Houston Texans' 18th in the National Football League (NFL) and their sixth under head coach Bill O'Brien. It also marked the first full season without the ownership of Bob McNair, who died during the 2018 season. It was, however, the first season of full ownership of both Janice McNair and D. Cal McNair. For the first time in franchise history, the team played in London, against the Jacksonville Jaguars. On June 7, 2019, the Texans fired general manager Brian Gaine after only one season.
The 2019 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and competed in the West Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) where they were led by their third-year head coach Ed Orgeron.
The 2019 Fiesta Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 28, 2019, played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and was broadcast by ESPN. It was the 49th edition of the Fiesta Bowl, and was one of the 2019–20 bowl games concluding the 2019 FBS football season. The Fiesta Bowl was one of two College Football Playoff semifinal games, the game featured two of the four teams selected by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee—Clemson from the ACC, and Ohio State from the Big Ten, with the winner advancing to the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship. Sponsored by Sony Interactive Entertainment via its PlayStation brand, the game was officially known as the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.
The 2021 season was the Houston Texans' 20th season in the National Football League (NFL), and their first and only under head coach David Culley. For the first time since 2011, defensive end J. J. Watt was not on the roster, as he had signed with the Arizona Cardinals on March 5, 2021, reuniting him with former Texans teammate DeAndre Hopkins, who was traded to the Cardinals the season prior. It also was the first time since 2014 without former head coach Bill O'Brien, as he was fired just four games into the 2020 season when the Texans began 0–4.
The 2023 season was the Cleveland Browns' 71st season as a member of the National Football League (NFL), their 75th overall, and their fourth under the head coach/general manager tandem of Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry. They improved upon their 7–10 record from the previous season, finishing with an 11–6 record and clinching their first winning season and playoff berth since 2020.
↑ "Archived copy". www.auburntigers.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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