Georgia Snaps 41-Year Title Drought With 33-18 Win Over Bama
Jan 10, 2022, 10:09 PM
Justin Shaffer #54 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 33-18 during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Stetson Bennett delivered the biggest throws of his storybook career and Georgia’s defense sealed the sweetest victory in program history, vanquishing rival Alabama 33-18 in the College Football Playoff title Monday for its first national title in 41 years.
BREAKING: No. 3 @GeorgiaFootball beats No. 1 @AlabamaFTBL 33-18 to win the @CFBPlayoff National Championship Game. 🏆#CFBPlayoff
📷: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/eofIch53wD— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 11, 2022
Bennett connected with Adonai Mitchell on a 40-yard touchdown to give No. 3 Georgia a 19-18 lead with 8:09 left and then hooked up with Brock Bowers for a 15-yard TD on a screen to put the Bulldogs up with 3:33 left.
WHAT A CATCH 🤩
ADONAI MITCHELL DELIVERED FOR A 40-YARD TD! pic.twitter.com/S86FwsqP1L
— ESPN (@espn) January 11, 2022
BROCK. BOWERS.
Georgia extends the lead ‼️ pic.twitter.com/gexLW8mXTG
— ESPN (@espn) January 11, 2022
The final blow came from the defense. Kelee Ringo intercepted an underthrown deep ball down the sideline by Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young. Instead of going down with a little over a minute left, Ringo took off and behind a convoy of blockers went 79 yards for a touchdown that set off a wild celebration by the Georgia fans who packed Lucas Oil Stadium.
GEORGIA PICK-SIX TO SEAL THE WIN! 🐶#NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/MHlE9MMZHI
— ESPN (@espn) January 11, 2022
The Bulldogs hadn’t won a national title since freshman Herschel Walker led them there in 1980. If simply snapping the drought wasn’t good enough, doing against No. 1 Alabama (13-12) had to make it feel even better.
THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS ARE YOUR 2022 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!!! #GoDawgs x #cfbplayoff pic.twitter.com/SgE8JUYNlL
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) January 11, 2022
Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide had won seven straight against the Bulldogs, including the last four against Georgia coach Kirby Smart, Saban’s longtime assistant.
