The third and final volume of the “Dream on” series ends with highlights of the 2018 national title game between the Tigers and the Tide. It includes the aftermath, where the pundits came up with excuse after excuse for why Clemson was able to beat Alabama, and another victory parade through Tigertown that ended with another celebration in Death Valley.
This video takes Tiger fans back to January 7, 2019 when the Tigers thrashed Alabama to secure their second national title in three seasons. and third overall.
The 44-16 final score was not a true example of just how badly the Tigers beat the Tide. Clemson held Alabama scoreless over the entire second half of the game, delivering body blows and knockout shots on both sides of the ball throughout. A shocked Tide team that had rarely been pushed in SEC play looked lost and dumbfounded in the face of the beat down, as did the mighty Saban at times.
The Tigers were led by true freshmen QB Trevor Lawrence, RB Travis Etienne, WR Tee Higgins, and WR Justyn Ross on offense and had a dominant, veteran laden, defense that featured DT Christian Wilkins, DE Clelin Ferrell, CB A.J. Terrell; and CB Trayvon Mullen. Clemson’s defense got the scoring started with a pick six by A.J. Terrell and finished the night with the longest drive in Clemson history, before graciously employing the victory formation and kneeling on the ball.
That Tigers senior class ran its record to an all time best 55-4. That included 2 national titles, 4 ACC titles, 4 CFP appearances, and the first 15-0 record in modern college football history.
Coach Dabo Swinney has clearly established Clemson as a premiere program in college football. He has now joined Nick Saban as the only active head coaches with multiple national titles.
With a ridiculous roster of talent that includes players like Travis Etienne, Xavier Thomas, and Justyn Ross along with incoming freshmen like D.J. Uiagalelei, Demarkcus Bowman, and Bryan Breese, Clemson looks poised to continue their dominance over the ACC and their instate rivals, UofSC. The Tigers should also be in the hunt for further college football playoff appearances and national titles for the foreseeable future.
While the numbers 1981, 2016, and 2018 will always be etched in the minds of Clemson fans and along the facade of Death Valley forever, Tiger fans are loving the fact that there is still plenty of room for future trophies. It’s like Dabo readily reminds everyone….”the best is yet to come.”
