On Monday night, the number one ranked Louisiana State University Tigers and the number three ranked Clemson Tigers clashed in the 2020 NCAA College Football Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Both teams entered the game 14-0 with Clemson trying to earn their third national title in four years and LSU chasing their first title since 2007 during the Bowl Championship Series system. 

The first quarter began slow with four consecutive punts, then took off with both teams scoring on big plays. Clemson found the endzone first following a 42-yard pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence to tight end Braden Galloway, setting Lawrence up for a 1-yard touchdown run. LSU answered with a 52-yard touchdown pass to receiver Ja’Marr Chase from Heisman winning quarterback Joe Burrow. The first quarter of the game ended with a 7-7 tie and plenty of energy and momentum from both teams going into the second quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Clemson scored a field goal followed by a touchdown, giving them a 10 point lead over LSU. However, Burrow quickly came alive, throwing three unanswered passing touchdowns leading to halftime. At halftime, LSU led 28-17. After struggling through the first quarter, LSU found themselves up 11 points over Clemson and significantly more offensive momentum. Quarterback Joe Burrow had been sensational and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase amassed an incredible 160 yards in just two quarters. 

LSU started the second quarter with possession and Clemson’s notable defense decisively stopped LSU’s fast-moving offense. When Clemson reclaimed possession, they tightened the score margin with a touchdown from running back Travis Ettiene and a 2-point conversion. It took LSU a little while to find the end zone again, but Burrow found Ja’Marr Chase once more for a 43-yard pass followed by a touchdown to tight end Thaddeus Moss, son of NFL legend Randy Moss. Clemson failed to score for the rest of the third quarter, and LSU capitalized on their lead with Joe Burrow’s 5th touchdown entering the final quarter of play. Clemson trailed the whole 4th quarter and couldn’t manage to close the 42-25 score deficit.

In the beginning, this year’s National Championship was anybody’s game. By the end, LSU pulled away from Clemson behind Heisman winner Joe Burrow’s arm and Coach Ed Orgeron’s leadership. This dominant win marked LSU’s 4th ever football championship, and a sneak peek of how quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence might perform in the NFL in the coming years. Joe Burrow is expected to go first overall in the 2020 NFL draft, and Trevor Lawrence very early in the 2021 NFL draft. How they will perform? Only time will tell.