Alabama Wins CFP National Title Over Ohio State

     The University of Alabama Crimson Tide knocked off the Ohio State University Buckeyes 52-24 in the 2020 CFP National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night. Alabama won their sixth national title in the last 12 seasons and claimed their 18th national title overall in school history. 

     Alabama head coach Nick Saban captured his NCAA-record seventh national championship. He surpassed one-time Crimson Tide head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant who won six national titles. 

     Alabama(13-0) was able to score on their first possession at 8:07 of the first quarter. Running back Najee Harris went through the right side of the line from one yard out. 

     Ohio State(7-1)  responded and matched it with their next drive with 4:05 remaining in the first. Running back Master Teague III scooted outside to the left and scored an eight-yard touchdown. 

     The Crimson Tide pulled ahead 14-7 on the first play of the second quarter. Quarterback Mac Jones tossed a five-yard swing pass to wide receiver DaVonta Smith on the left side. 

     The Buckeyes evened it up 14-14 at the 11:43 mark of the second. Teague busted up the middle from four yards out. 

      It was answered by Alabama with 9:00 left in the second. Jones threw a 26-yard pass to the left sideline and Harris avoided two tackles to reach the end zone. 

     Ohio State had to settle with a three points and trailed 17-14. Jake Seibert booted a 23-yard field goal at 5:21.

     The Crimson Tide extended their lead to 28-17 with 3:19 to go. Smith received a five-yard touchdown pass from Jones on the right side. 

     They added another score on their next possession to make it 35-17. Jones found Smith behind the Ohio State secondary on the right hash marks for a 46-yard touchdown with 1:48 remaining in the first half. 

     In the third quarter, Alabama expanded it to a 21-point margin at the 7:47 mark. Will Reichard nailed a 20-yard field goal. 

     The Buckeyes scored at 6:45 and were down 38-24. Quarterback Justin Fields fired a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Garrett Wilson on the left side of the end zone. 

     It became 45-24 for the Crimson Tide with 2:52 remaining in the third. Jones angled a five-yard pass to wide receiver Slade Bolden on the left side. 

     Alabama made it 52-24 at the 13:15 mark of the fourth quarter. Harris rumbled in untouched through the left side of the line from two yards out.