Alabama rides Heisman winner Henry to national title game

PHOENIX — Thirteen carries against Wisconsin, 18 against Middle Tennessee and 23 against Mississippi.

That's how many times Alabama running back Derrick Henry ran the ball to open the season.

He was capable of so much more, and after the 43-37 loss to Ole Miss on Sept. 19, the focus of the Crimson Tide's game plan fell squarely on the 6-foot 3-inch, 242-pound junior.

Henry carried at least 26 times in seven of Alabama's next 10 games, including a combined 90 times against Auburn in the regular-season finale and Florida in the Southeastern Conference Championship.

"I don't think any of us ever pictured him carrying the ball 90 times in a seven-day span, but it's how the games went," Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin said. "He's very unique that he doesn't wear down."

No. 2 Alabama rode Henry all the way to the College Football Playoff National Championship against No. 1 Clemson at 5:30 p.m. PST Monday.

"We're extremely blessed to be here," Henry said. "It's important for us to go to work, but at the same time we want to cherish the moment and realize what an honor it is to be here."

Henry also was honored to go to New York, where he accepted the Heisman Trophy after rushing for 2,061 yards and 25 touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards per attempt. The yardage and touchdown totals broke the SEC records.

What's scary for Clemson is Michigan State made an all-out effort to force the Tide to beat the Spartans with anyone but Henry, and Alabama did just that. Quarterback Jake Coker completed 25 of 30 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns in the 38-0 victory in the Cotton Bowl while Henry gained just 75 yards on 20 rushes.

"Jake is the leader of this team; he's the captain of this team," Henry said. "Every day he goes out and works as hard as he can. Everybody listens to him, and he does a great job of controlling our offense. He plays with a lot of poise and continues to get better week after week. You shouldn't be surprised at what he did last game because he's got the talent to do that every week."

Coker said he didn't expect Clemson to mimic Michigan State's strategy, which could create opportunities for Henry. No matter what defensive plan the Tigers employ, Alabama will need Henry to make plays.

He's not only capable of going past 40 carries, if necessary, but Henry often gets better as a game progresses. In the fourth quarter alone, he gained 57 yards against Tennessee, 81 against Louisiana State, 99 against Mississippi State, 114 against Auburn and 54 against Florida.

Kiffin said injuries to fellow running back Kenyan Drake also led to Henry getting more touches.

"As the season was going, no experience at quarterback, hardly any experience at receiver, in all nine new starters on offense, it's easier to run than throw the ball, especially with Derrick," Kiffin said. "If Kenyan Drake doesn't get hurt a couple of times, I don't think Derrick wins the Heisman because I think there's more balance in the carries."

Running backs tend to have only so many carries in them before their production begins to diminish.

That's the danger Alabama has run into by repeatedly handing the ball to Henry.

"There's always been a 20-, 25-carry (limit) in my head that you always worry about guys wearing down," Kiffin said. "That's where the ball-security issues happen. After the 20th carry, most guys usually fumble. So there's always that concern, but with him, he's unique. He just doesn't wear down.

"You look at his 46th carry, his last one at Auburn, he's outrunning everybody on the field."

— Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.