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The Clemson Tigers didn't win the National Championship, but they returned to Death Valley Tuesday night as champions to the dozens of fans that welcomed them back.It's the end of a fantastic season for the Clemson Tigers.The Tigers finish the 2015 season with a 14-1 record.Clemson was playing for the national title for the first time in 34 years. Some students had tears in their eyes as the game ended but also said they were proud of a team that won 14 games for the first time.Clemson arrived to Death Valley Tuesday night greeted by dozens of fans. To see video, click HERE.A late special team play by Alabama was the difference in Monday night's College Football National Championship game.Clemson attempted an onside kick but Alabama recovered to edge Clemson 45-40 and become National Champions.This marks the Crimson Tide's 4th national title in the last seven seasons.Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney said, "I'm incredibly proud of our team.Obviously we wanted to win the game and we came up a little short, but at least the nation saw tonight why we've been so successful. This was a team that had incredible will to win and heart, and gave us everything that they had. It won't be 34 years before we're going to be back, I promise you that."VIDEO: Swinney's post-game comments | Coach Elliot after the game | Coach Venables after game | Leggett, Goodson talk after game Clemson final NOW PollWith 12 seconds remaining, Deshaun Watson hit Jordan Leggett on a 24-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 45-40.Alabama was able to get a one-yard touchdown run from Derrick Henry to push the lead to 45-33.Watson found Artavius Scott for a one-score game. The Tigers missed the two-point conversion and cut Alabama's lead to 38-33 with just over four minutes left in the game.Greg Huegel hit a 31-yard field goal to cut into Alabama's lead 31-27 with just over seven minutes to go in the game.Alabama took the lead when OJ Howard had his second long touchdown on the night.The Crimson Tide recovered an onside kick in the 4th quarter to give them the go-ahead touchdown.Wayne Gallman's one-yard touchdown run and an extra point gave Clemson the lead over Alabama 24-21 with just over four minutes remaining in the third quarter.Clemson didn't wait long to chip into Alabama's lead. Huegel kicked a 37-yard field goal with 10:15 left in the third quarter to cut the Crimson Tide advantage to four points at 21-17.Jake Coker threw to Howard for a 53-yard touchdown to give Alabama a brief 21-14 lead with more than 12 minutes left in the quarter.A 37-yard field goal by Huegel after that cut Alabama's lead to 21-17 with 10:10 left in the third.Also in the third, Clemson defensive end Kevin Dodd made his third sack of the night when he brought down Coker at the Alabama 26 yard line.The Tigers tried to take the lead before the half, but Huegel's field goal attempt from 44 yards was partially blocked by the Crimson Tide. Henry, the winner of this year's Heisman Trophy, ran for his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run and Alabama tied the score at 14-all in the national title game against Clemson.Adrian Baker replaced Mackensie Alexander who left the game with a left hamstring injury.Clemson used a last second touchdown in the first quarter from Watson to Hunter Renfrow to give Clemson a 14-7 lead in the national title game heading into the second quarter.Alabama came into the game having allowed 19 first-quarter points all season.Henry scored the first touchdown on a 50-yard run to give Alabama an early7-0 lead.Both Shaq Lawson (knee) and Alexander (hamstring) were in the starting lineup despite injuries.Just 10 minutes before kickoff, ESPN's Lee Corso donned a Tiger mascot head and picked Clemson to win.Corso's last pick of the college football season may not have been what Clemson fans were hoping for, since Corso picked against the Tigers twice this year and was wrong both times.Those wrong picks were for Notre Dame and Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.Clemson was a 6 1/2-point underdog against Alabama even though the Tigers were undefeated and ranked No. 1.