For the third time in the last four seasons, Alabama and Clemson faced off for college football's national championship.

This round went to Clemson.

The Tigers got three first-half touchdowns from running back Travis Etienne, and their defense shut out Alabama in the second half to win 44-16 in Santa Clara, California.

This is Clemson's third national title and its second in the last three seasons. The Tigers also defeated Alabama in the 2017 championship, a year after losing to Alabama on the same stage.

Adam Choice, left, and Trevor Lawrence celebrate with the national championship trophy.
Adam Choice, left, and Trevor Lawrence celebrate with the national championship trophy.
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Clemson players, including Clelin Ferrell (No. 99) and Hunter Renfrow (No. 13), run onto the field to celebrate.
Clemson players, including Clelin Ferrell (No. 99) and Hunter Renfrow (No. 13), run onto the field to celebrate.
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Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leaves the field after the game.
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leaves the field after the game.
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Alabama head coach Nick Saban, left, shakes hands with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban, left, shakes hands with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney.
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Lawrence is showered by confetti after the final whistle. The freshman quarterback took over the starting job during the middle of the season.
Lawrence is showered by confetti after the final whistle. The freshman quarterback took over the starting job during the middle of the season.
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Clemson players make confetti angels on the field.
Clemson players make confetti angels on the field.
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Alabama's Jamey Mosley reacts after the loss.
Alabama's Jamey Mosley reacts after the loss.
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Clemson players rush the field at the end of the game.
Clemson players rush the field at the end of the game.
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Clemson defenders swarm Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts late in the game.
Clemson defenders swarm Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts late in the game.
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Tee Higgins catches a third-quarter touchdown pass for Clemson. It was the final score of the game.
Tee Higgins catches a third-quarter touchdown pass for Clemson. It was the final score of the game.
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Clemson's Nyles Pinckney, center, celebrates after stopping a fake field goal by Alabama during the second half.
Clemson's Nyles Pinckney, center, celebrates after stopping a fake field goal by Alabama during the second half.
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Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross is held up by teammate Christian Wilkins after scoring on a 74-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. The score gave the Tigers a 37-16 lead.
Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross is held up by teammate Christian Wilkins after scoring on a 74-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. The score gave the Tigers a 37-16 lead.
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Ross sprints away from the Alabama defense for his touchdown. At left is defensive back Saivion Smith, who went down hurt on the play.
Ross sprints away from the Alabama defense for his touchdown. At left is defensive back Saivion Smith, who went down hurt on the play.
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Saban speaks to an official during the third quarter.
Saban speaks to an official during the third quarter.
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Tagovailoa attempts a second-half pass.
Tagovailoa attempts a second-half pass.
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Clemson running back Travis Etienne runs for one of his three first-half touchdowns. His third gave the Tigers a 28-16 lead, and they added a field goal to lead 31-16 at halftime.
Clemson running back Travis Etienne runs for one of his three first-half touchdowns. His third gave the Tigers a 28-16 lead, and they added a field goal to lead 31-16 at halftime.
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Clemson's K'Von Wallace tackles Alabama running back Josh Jacobs in the first half.
Clemson's K'Von Wallace tackles Alabama running back Josh Jacobs in the first half.
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Etienne celebrates one of his first-half touchdowns with Lawrence.
Etienne celebrates one of his first-half touchdowns with Lawrence.
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Joseph Bulovas kicks a field goal to give Alabama a 16-13 lead early in the second quarter.
Joseph Bulovas kicks a field goal to give Alabama a 16-13 lead early in the second quarter.
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Alabama's Hale Hentges celebrates after catching a 1-yard touchdown pass from Tagavailoa in the first quarter.
Alabama's Hale Hentges celebrates after catching a 1-yard touchdown pass from Tagavailoa in the first quarter.
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Alabama running back Najee Harris reaches for the end zone but just comes up short in the first quarter.
Alabama running back Najee Harris reaches for the end zone but just comes up short in the first quarter.
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A referee gets an earful from Swinney.
A referee gets an earful from Swinney.
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Lawrence attempts a pass in the first half.
Lawrence attempts a pass in the first half.
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Etienne eludes Alabama defenders on his way to a 17-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The Tigers led 14-7 after the extra point.
Etienne eludes Alabama defenders on his way to a 17-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The Tigers led 14-7 after the extra point.
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Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy hauls in a 62-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7 early in the first quarter.
Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy hauls in a 62-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7 early in the first quarter.
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The opening score of the game came when Clemson's A.J. Terrell intercepted Tagovailoa and ran it back 44 yards for a touchdown.
The opening score of the game came when Clemson's A.J. Terrell intercepted Tagovailoa and ran it back 44 yards for a touchdown.
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Alabama's Irv Smith Jr. leaps over a tackle from Trayvon Mullen in the first quarter.
Alabama's Irv Smith Jr. leaps over a tackle from Trayvon Mullen in the first quarter.
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Fireworks explode over Levi's Stadium as Andy Grammer performs the National Anthem.
Fireworks explode over Levi's Stadium as Andy Grammer performs the National Anthem.
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Swinney addresses the Tigers before the game.
Swinney addresses the Tigers before the game.
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Swinney talks with Saban before the game. Swinney is an Alabama alumnus.
Swinney talks with Saban before the game. Swinney is an Alabama alumnus.
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Nikki Haley, the former US ambassador to the United Nations, watches the teams warm up. Haley went to Clemson.
Nikki Haley, the former US ambassador to the United Nations, watches the teams warm up. Haley went to Clemson.
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The Alabama band performs before the game.
The Alabama band performs before the game.
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Clemson's mascot, ready for the big game.
Clemson's mascot, ready for the big game.
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Fans Jerry Edwards and Bill Chase have some fun together before the game.
Fans Jerry Edwards and Bill Chase have some fun together before the game.
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