ATLANTA — The Heisman Trophy favorite Derrick Henry rushed for 189 bruising yards and No. 2 Alabama locked up its spot in the College Football Playoff, beating No. 18 Florida, 29-15, with a dominating defensive performance in the Southeastern Conference championship game Saturday.
The Crimson Tide (12-1, No. 2 C.F.P.) held the Gators to a total of three yards in the second and third quarters. Florida (10-3, No. 18 C.F.P.) got an 85-yard punt return from Antonio Callaway and a late touchdown that didn’t really matter.
Henry turned in a performance that might be good enough to lock up the Heisman, carrying a staggering 44 times against one of the nation’s top defenses and putting the Tide ahead to stay on a 2-yard run late in the first half.