Clemson championship parade set for Saturday

CLEMSON, S.C. — A second national football championship in three years is making Clemson University a very happy place. Students don't start classes until Wednesday, but most are excited to get back to campus.

"It's amazing to win like that. No one expected it," said junior Bradley Selee. "We were all nervous about the game beforehand. I'm not even lying."

Those who were nervous turned to shouts of joy and celebration as the underdog Tigers blew out the Crimson Tide and brought another title home.

“Dabo Swinney -- miracle workers. He's totally changed the program," student Kaylie Potter.

The blowout score 44-16 is posted on an old theater marquee in downtown Clemson. Stores were selling championship shirts and orange was everywhere.

[Photos: Alabama vs. Clemson in College Football Playoff Championship]

Tori Badala had a talk with all her friends from Alabama.

"I was told by everybody back home that we were not going to win, so it was really exciting to see us win last night," she said.

Connie McKee manages a store that has sold Clemson merchandise for 45 years. She's seen a good season before, including a championship in 1981, but nothing compares to this, she said.

"It's amazing. This has done so much for our community. Our coach, his players, they're just really good people," she said.

Her sales have been good too. National championship T-shirts were sold quickly Tuesday. Some people bought 10 or more.

Joe Walker is a long-time fan who's been with the Tigers through thick and lots of thin too.

"I was in Miami in ’81, and I was in Tampa two years ago, and it just keeps getting better," he said.

He didn't make it out to California for Monday night’s victory, though.

"Oh, I wish I'd gone. I can't believe I wasn't there," he said.

The team plane was expected to land at the Greenville-Spartanburg airport in Greenville, South Carolina just before 9 p.m. Tuesday. The party will last all week culminating in a championship parade on campus Saturday morning.

Cox Media Group