The College Football Playoff National Championship took forever

Jan 13, 2020, 9:48 PM | Updated: Jan 14, 2020, 7:22 am

Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers looks to throw a pass against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

BY HABOOB BLOG

Arizona Sports

Everyone was excited for the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night, not only for a showdown between No. 1 LSU and No. 3 Clemson, but also because it featured top NFL Draft quarterback prospects for this year in LSU’s Joe Burrow and next year in Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence.

After a start involving a surprising amount of punts, the game got going and started getting exciting with two high-octane offenses.

Once halftime hit with LSU up 28-17, local Arizonans were quick to look at the clock and say, “8:15?! A two-hour first half?! How?!”

Twitter was even more confused when halftime lasted nearly a half-hour.

A first half that goes two hours and a halftime that is polishing off hour No. 3 isn't helping matters here. Let's get this show back on the road.

— Chris Anderson (@CMAnderson247) January 14, 2020

This game was supposed to run from 8 EST (6 AZ) to 11:45 EST (9:45 AZ).

— Max (@maxmcc11) January 14, 2020

Apropos of nothing I’ve taken two separate naps during this football game

— Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) January 14, 2020

The second half starting anytime soon?

— Ryan Silva (@Ryansilvuhh) January 14, 2020

is this a two-part game? Is the second half tomorrow? Hello?

— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) January 14, 2020

Indeed, it was that long. We were in for what felt like a game that would last an eternity.

This game is going to go at least five hours, isn’t it?

— scott bordow (@sbordow) January 14, 2020

We arrived at the point where fatigue started to kick in for some.

I've stayed up as long as I can watching this football game but, with a minute left in the 3rd quarter and an eeeearly wakeup call, I have to go to sleep now.

Please tweet me what happens. Wrong answers only.#CFPChampionship

— Sarah Kezele (@SarahKezele) January 14, 2020

How long do college football games last? I’m exhausted

— mark schlereth (@markschlereth) January 14, 2020

I love college football but I’m tired !!

— Jenny Taft (@JennyTaft) January 14, 2020

Pleas for the fourth quarter to take place on Tuesday were made.

Can we finish this game tomorrow?

— mark schlereth (@markschlereth) January 14, 2020

Realizing you have to leave for work in nine hours but the #NationalChampionship is just now heading to the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/b0z985Sbiv

— Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 14, 2020

Fortunately for those looking to get some good sleep before work, Burrow and the Tigers … uh, we mean, LSU, turned it up a notch and went up 17 with 12:08 remaining at 9:41 p.m. local time, putting us at nearly three-and-a-half hours of the football.

And nearly at four if you were one of the many who got conned by the 6 p.m. start time that didn’t feature kickoff for another 20 minutes.

The game wrapped up around 10:15 p.m. local time, locking in a four-hour run time.

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LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson is tackled by Clemson during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU safety Grant Delpit celebrates during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Clemson Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LSU gathers before a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Clemson Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The LSU band performs before a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Clemson Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron watches during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Clemson Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Clemson tight end Braden Galloway is tackled by LSU cornerback Kary Vincent Jr. during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Clemson tight end Braden Galloway, left, is tackled by LSU safety Marcel Brooks during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Clemson running back Travis Etienne is tackled by LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence scores past LSU safety JaCoby Stevens during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence scores against LSU during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence celebrates after scoring during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against LSU Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU safety Grant Delpit, right, breaks up a pass intended for Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU tight end Thaddeus Moss catches a pass over Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Clemson tight end Braden Galloway runs against LSU during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow is sacked by Clemson defensive end Justin Foster during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence passes under pressure from LSU linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence passes under pressure against LSU during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, left, catches a pass in front of Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase scores past Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, right, celebrates with wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. after scoring against Clemson during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow passes under pressure from Clemson linebacker James Skalski during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Fans celebrates after LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase scored against Clemson during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase celebrates after scoring against Clemson during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

LSU safety Grant Delpit knocks the helmet off Clemson running back Travis Etienne during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron cheers during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Clemson Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Peter Ochinko cheers on LSU while watching them against Clemson in the NCAA College Football Playoff championship game at Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux, in Baton Rouge, La., Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

Clemson wide receiver Amari Rodgers celebrates after scoring with wide receiver Joe Ngata during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against LSU, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

LSU tight end Thaddeus Moss celebrates after scoring during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson runs over Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence passes against LSU during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Clemson linebacker James Skalski leaves the game during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against LSU, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons pulls off a piece of tape on LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Clemson running back Travis Etienne scores past LSU defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow runs against Clemson during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow is tackled by LSU defensive back Maurice Hampton Jr. during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron watches during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Montana Ankner, right, cheers on LSU while watching them take on Clemson in the NCAA College Football Playoff championship game at Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux, in Baton Rouge, La., Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

LSU linebacker Patrick Queen celebrates after tackling Clemson running back Travis Etienne during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow passes against Clemson during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU tight end Thaddeus Moss scores as Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick looks on during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Justin Rogstad, center, cheers on LSU against Clemson in the NCAA College Football Playoff championship game, while watching on screens at Fred's Bar & Grill, in Baton Rouge, La., Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney yells to Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against LSU, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire breaks away from Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU place kicker Cade York misses a field goal during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson is tackled by Clemson linebacker James Skalski and safety Denzel Johnson during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence gets sacked by LSU during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU tight end Thaddeus Moss scores a touchdown past Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins is tackled by LSU safety Grant Delpit during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase catches a touchdown pass in front of Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates after scoring with wide receiver Justin Jefferson during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Clemson Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins scores against LSU during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow scores past Clemson safety Denzel Johnson during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Clemson running back Travis Etienne is tackled by LSU defensive end Glen Logan during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney celebrates after scoring during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against LSU, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is tackled by LSU safety JaCoby Stevens during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LSU tight end Thaddeus Moss, center, celebrates after scoring with wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson is tackled by Clemson safety K'Von Wallace during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Clemson during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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