NEW ORLEANS — Clemson had the look that it wanted.

Co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott called a post play to Ray-Ray McCloud over the top. It was going to be seven points for the Tigers and they were going to take the lead. However, Anfernee Jennings had other plans.

The Alabama outside linebacker instead got around right tackle Tremayne Anchrum and then hit quarterback Kelly Bryant just as he was about to throw the football. The ball popped up in the air and landed in the arms of defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne, who returned the free gift 21 yards to the Clemson 42.

Seven plays later, Alabama head coach Nick Saban called a trick play in which Payne caught a one-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts and from there the Tide rolled in beating Clemson, 24-6, to win the 2018 Sugar Bowl.

“I think that was about a 14-point swing, possibly,” Elliott said. “We had the look that we wanted. We were ready to throw the post-ball to Ray-Ray over the top and the safety had stayed on the backside hash so all we needed was an opportunity to get the ball off and we did not there.

“That was a 14-point swing and that was huge from a momentum standpoint.”

The Crimson Tide (12-1) used that momentum to pick off Bryant for a second straight pass on the next Tigers’ play as Mack Wilson hauled in the deflected pass and rumbled 18 yards for a touchdown and a 24-6 lead with 5:27 to play in the third quarter.

“They were in man coverage, one-on-one, on a slant route and the dude made a great play, put his hand in there and tipped it,” Bryant said. “The other guy made a play and they ended up scoring.”

Bryant finished the night 18-of-36 for 124 yards and two interceptions. He was also sacked five times as Clemson finished the game with 188 total yards.

The only points the Tigers (12-2) got came on field goals of 44 and 42 yards from kicker Alex Spence.

“They were a physical team,” Bryant said. “They were pretty much what we go against in practice. We knew we were getting into a physical matchup with Alabama so you have to give credit to those guys. They played their butts off.

“The critical errors and mistakes that we made, and then seeing them capitalize, you can’t do that in games like this.”