The 2020 College Football National Championship game kicked off in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Jan. 13, with the season ending in an intense battle between Louisiana State University (LSU) and Clemson University. These two teams have faced off three times in the last decade, with LSU winning two out of the three matchups during the regular season. Coming into this game, LSU was the number one seed. However, the defending champion Clemson was looking to keep the national title in North Carolina.

Prior to kickoff, the game had its own pomp with the country’s national anthem being heartfully sung by Lauren Daigle. Once the game commenced, neither team showed any restraint. The first five minutes lacked an outright dominant team, with both teams unable to gain many yards. Finally, quarterback Trevor Lawrence broke the deadlock midway through the first quarter with a one-yard rush into the end zone. In retaliation, Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow threw a 52-yard pass to help dig into LSU’s deficit before the end of the 1st quarter.

“Clemson seemed to have control for about one-third of the game. However, quarterback Joe Burrow was unstoppable. He played like Patrick Mahomes with his excellent passing ability and great field vision,” freshman Brian Matute said.

Clemson then began to pick up the pace in the second quarter. They scored ten points in the second quarter with a 52-yard field goal from Clemson punter B.T Porter and a touchdown rush for 36 yards. Joe Burrow answered with a rushing touchdown of his own. Late into the first half, LSU took the lead with a drive from wide-receiver Ja’Marr Chase . The LSU Tigers scored another touchdown to end the first half, giving them a commanding lead over Clemson by a score of 28-17.

At the beginning of the second half, the Clemson Tigers came roaring back to threaten LSU’s lead, cutting the deficit with a score of 28-25. After their initial touchdown, Clemson was successful in their attempts for a two-point conversion. Although Clemson put up a menacing fight, tight end Thaddeus Moss went on to score his second touchdown of the evening for LSU, giving them a ten point lead at 35-25.

Towards the end of the football match, Clemson still had a sliver of hope to gamble with. However, that hope was stiffened when Joe Burrow threw for another touchdown, capping off the quarterback’s stellar night and solidifying his team’s victory, 42-25.

Clemson started the game well and strong. However, LSU did not stop fighting until they won the game. The Louisiana State Tigers, led by a stellar quarterback who will surely make headlines in the NFL sometime soon, stunned the world of football. The future is bright for all the key players in this LSU team.