The Pac-12 crew let a few extra seconds run off the clock after Deshaun Watson completed a pass for a first down late in the second quarter, and the Tigers were forced to call their final timeout of the half. That, in turn, prompted the Tigers to attempt a field goal with nine seconds remaining. Greg Huegel missed the attempt, which appeared to be deflected. 

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“Really, really frustrated with how the clock was handled right there,” Swinney said on the ESPN telecast at halftime. “That’s very disappointing. It cost me a timeout.” 

Clemson and Alabama were tied 14-14 heading into the third quarter.