Safety Nolan Turner provided the final stamp in Clemson's Fiesta Bowl victory on Saturday, intercepting Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields in the end zone and thwarting a comeback attempt to preserve the Tigers' 29-23 win.
That play helped advance Clemson's win streak to 29 games over the last two seasons, giving the team a chance to win consecutive national championships for the first time in program history. That it came after Nolan Turner allowed a go-ahead Buckeyes touchdown earlier in the fourth quarter makes it even better.
Its roots stem from coach Dabo Swinney's playing days at Alabama — and the relationship he had with Nolan Turner's late father, Kevin Turner.
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Swinney and Kevin Turner were teammates at Alabama from 1989-91: Swinney at receiver, Kevin Turner at fullback. The relationship they built in Tuscaloosa lasted well beyond their playing days, through Kevin Turner's diagnosis of ALS in 2010 and death in March 2016.
Months before Kevin Turner's passing, Swinney offered his son — a zero-star recruit in the class of 2016 — a preferred walk-on position at Clemson. Due to unforeseen defections in that recruiting class, Swinney gave Nolan Turner his only Power 5 scholarship offer out of high school.
Four seasons later, Nolan Turner — who wears a No. 24 jersey, same as his father — nabbed the game-winning interception to seal the Tigers' fifth College Football Playoff win since 2016.
A fitting, full-circle play that helps carry on his father's legacy.
