Category: 2015-16 College Football Playoff National Championship

Editor’s note: The following story first appeared on the Sports Capital Journalism Website on Jan. 10, 2016. In light of the Indianapolis Colts selecting Ryan Kelly with their 2016 first-round pick, the story has been reposted.   By Zach Wagner | @zachwagner Sports Capital Journalism Program PHOENIX — Alabama running back Derrick Henry has won …

It wasn’t until I was on the plane ride back to Indianapolis that I realized that the fondest memories I carried from the previous five days in Arizona had very little to do with the game that took place between Alabama and Clemson. The fact that the game was so competitive on Monday night was …

Saying goodbye to the College Football Playoff National Championship was tougher than just leaving sunny and 65-degree Arizona for Indianapolis’ frigid 8-degree weather and having to scrape an inch and a half of snow and ice off my friend’s car at the airport. I had gotten into a groove, a routine of covering numerous events. …

By Zach Wagner | @zachwagner22 Sports Capital Journalism Program SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – In the crimson afterglow of a fourth national championship in seven seasons and the fifth in his career overall, Alabama coach Nick Saban thought of a far more humbling experience. He remembered a moment he shared with former Nebraska head coach Tom Osborne …

By Frank Gogola | @FrankGogola Sports Capital Journalism Program GLENDALE, Ariz. – Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson dodged cameras and confetti as he worked his way through the packed postgame field. He sought out Alabama’s Jake Coker, Bo Scarbrough and Da’Shawn Hand, among others. He heard a common refrain from the Crimson Tide players: We’ll see you …

By Frank Gogola | @FrankGogola Sports Capital Journalism Program Glendale, Ariz. – Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson walked off the field, helmet in hand. He didn’t say anything as he turned right and entered the hallway to the Clemson locker room. His face was stoic, only looking forward. The sound of the celebration happening out on the …

 By Zach Wagner | @zachwagner22 Sports Capital Journalism Program GLENDALE, Ariz. – With 10 minutes, 34 seconds left in the College Football Playoff National Championship, Nick Saban knew his Alabama Crimson Tide needed a spark. Clemson’s Deshaun Watson was unstoppable, Alabama’s defense was approaching exhaustion, and a season was headed for its unforgettable, decisive moments. …

By Frank Gogola & Zach Wagner | @FrankGogola & @zachwagner22 Sports Capital Journalism Program Frank Gogola on Clemson… Watson’s Hot Start: Will He Fade? After a punt on the first drive, Clemson scored on back-to-back drives as Deshaun Watson heated up. Watson completed seven of 11 pass attempts for 108 yards and two touchdowns, and …

By Zach Wagner | @zachwagner22 Sports Capital Journalism Program GLENDALE, Ariz. – When Fred Huff woke up on Sunday morning he was just trying to get the motivation to get out of bed to go back to work. Employed as a police officer near the Santa Fe, New Mexico area, Huff had finished working a …

By Zach Wagner | @zachwager22 Sports Capital Journalism Program With under three hours to go until the start of the College Football Playoff National Championship, the Sports Capital Journalism Program sent graduate student Zach Wagner out to the parking lot with the hope of finding a good tailgate or two. He found one for each …