2024 NCAA Event: Revisiting the Alabama-Clemson rivalry in soccer as faculties vie for Ultimate 4 bid

Clemson and Alabama are each making waves throughout March Insanity. The 2 southern soccer giants are set to face off in Saturday’s Elite Eight with an look within the coveted Ultimate 4 on the road — a objective that neither basketball program has but to realize. Whereas this can be a uncommon postseason showdown between the 2 on the hardwood, the Crimson Tide and Tigers share a wealthy historical past on school soccer’s greatest stage. 

Between 2016-19, Alabama and Clemson competed in 4 straight Faculty Soccer Playoff video games, three of which had been for the nationwide championship. That streak constitutes 4 out of the 5 matchups between the 2 groups for the reason that flip of the century. On prime of that, Alabama and Clemson have by no means performed each other — exterior of the playoff format — within the postseason. 

As one would possibly anticipate from such a prolific fashionable rivalry, Alabama and Clemson’s playoff streak featured superb moments and monolithic figures. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney was within the midst of constructing an emergent dynasty, whereas former Alabama coach Nick Saban labored to stack wins onto an already Corridor of Fame worthy résumé. 

Myriad future NFL Draft picks, All-Individuals and Heisman Trophy winners featured in these clashes, highlighted by the likes of Deshaun Watson, Jalen Hurts, Trevor Lawrence and Tua Tagovailoa. With Alabama and Clemson set to play within the postseason as soon as extra, this time on one in every of school basketball’s greatest levels, it felt acceptable to look again at their Faculty Soccer Playoff rivalry. 

2016: Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship

Ultimate: Alabama 45, Clemson 40 

Within the first assembly between the 2 groups in eight years, Alabama and Clemson took heart stage at College of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with a nationwide title on the road. What a battle it was, setting the precedent for a powerful streak of postseason clashes, every with one thing main on the road. They traded blows till halfway via the fourth quarter when Alabama working again Kenyan Drake returned a kickoff 95 yards for a landing to provide his group a 38-27 lead. From there, the Crimson Tide had been firmly within the driver’s seat with the win cemented by a 1-yard Derrick Henry landing run because the clocked ticked down to 1 minute. 

2017: Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship 

Ultimate: Clemson 35, Alabama 31 

One 12 months later, the 2 discovered themselves in an analogous scenario with a distinct — however considerably extra thrilling — consequence. Alabama led 24-14 coming into the fourth quarter because of robust performances by working again Bo Scarbrough and tight finish O.J. Howard. However Clemson scored simply 1 minute into the fourth quarter to chop the lead and located the tip zone once more 10 minutes later to take its first lead of the sport. Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts roared again with a 30-yard landing run with simply round 2 minutes left to place Clemson again down. The Tigers and quarterback Deshaun Watson methodically moved down the sector with the assists of spectacular catches by the likes of Mike Williams and finally landed at Alabama’s 9-yard line with 9 seconds left. A go interference on the following play moved the ball ahead 7 yards, permitting Watson to hit Hunter Renfrow on a rollout for a walk-in 2-yard landing. Clemson recovered the onside kick to seal its first nationwide championship of the century. 

2018: Sugar Bowl (CFP Semifinal) 

Ultimate: Alabama 24, Clemson 6 

Not an entire lot of drama on this one with a visit to the CFP Nationwide Championship on the road. Clemson was held to only two discipline targets whereas Alabama’s protection managed the sport from begin to end. Defensive lineman Daron Payne, who was finally named the sport’s defensive MVP, even had an impression on offense, catching a 1-yard landing go from Jalen Hurts within the third quarter. The Crimson Tide protection intercepted Clemson QB Kelly Bryant twice, the second of which linebacker Mack Wilson returned 18 yards for a landing and the sport’s decisive rating. 

2019: Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship

Ultimate: Clemson 44, Alabama 16 

On paper, this had the makings of an on the spot basic. A fourth straight postseason showdown between two school soccer giants with completely stacked groups; the beginning lineups featured 33 future NFL Draft picks and 7 All-Individuals. Alabama was on the top of its offensive increase with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa spreading the ball to large receivers Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III. Clemson’s protection was traditionally good, anchored within the center by a pair of all-star defensive linemen in Christian Watkins and Clelin Ferrell. In actuality, the sport was an entire rout. Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell bought one of the best of Tagovailoa on a decide six lower than 2 minutes into the sport. The 2 went back-and-forth via an explosive first quarter, however Clemson gained a 21-16 lead with simply over 11 minutes to play within the second quarter and held Alabama scoreless from there. Future No. 1 general decide Trevor Lawrence completed the sport with 347 yards and three touchdowns, whereas Tagovailoa threw two interceptions.