Georgia 33 vs. 18 Alabama summary: stats, scores, and highlights | College Football Playoff
The Georgia Bulldogs are National Champions for the first time since 1980 after beating the Alabama Crimson Tide 33-18. A 79 yard pick six by Kelee Ringo in the final minute sealed the victory for the Bulldogs.
SEC showdown in Indy
It was a rematch of the SEC Championship game played 37 days before. The Bulldogs were out classed and outmatched in that game back in early December, but they got their revenge on the biggest stage in college football.
One of the best defensive units we have seen in the modern era was insatiable on Monday, carrying a Georgia offensive that struggled to put together drives in the first half. They held Alabama to just nine points in the first half and then Bennett and the Bulldogs got the scoring going in the second half.
The Crimson Tide were dealt a blow in the first half when Jameson Wililams went down with a non contact injury to his knee. Alabama’s top receiver would not return, and joined the Tide’s second leading pass catcher John Metchie on the sideline for the rest of the game.
Battle of field goals in first half
The first half started slow. Alabama received the ball first and drove 14 plays down the field until they were forced to settle for a field goal from inside the red zone. The Crimson Tide were anything but efficient from inside the twenty against the stingy Bulldogs defense scoring just one touchdown on four trips to the red zone.
Georgia went three and out on their first two possessions, but leveled the game a few minutes into the second quarter with a Jack Podelesny 24 yard field goal.
Both teams would exchange field goals heading into halftime, and the Tide carried a slender 9-6 lead into the break.
Blocked field goal brought the game to life
The third quarter got off to a similar start. Both teams were struggling to move the ball until Georgia came up with a blocked kick on Will Reichard’s 48 yard field goal just before the end of the third quarter.
The game opened up after that as 36 points would be scored in the final 18 minutes of the National Championship. James Cook busted a 67 yard run to set up the first touchdown of the game for either side. Zamir White punched in a 1 yard touchdown.
Alabama marched all the way inside the five yard line on the next drive but they were once again forced to settle for a red zone field goal by the Bulldog’s defense.
Bennett bounces back after fumble
Holding a 13-12 lead there was a moment of panic for Georgia when Bennett was strip sacked and the fumble was recovered by a nonchalant Alab Brian Branch. No one seemed to know quite what happened on the play, but upon further review Bennett’s hand was not going forward and Branch made the very casual play on the sideline to give the Tide the ball at the 16 yard line.
Four plays later Bryce Young hit Cameron Late on a three yard pass Alabama’s first touchdown of the game. After a failed two point converision Nick Saban’s team lead 18-13.
The Bama lead lasted for just over two minutes. Bennett hit Adonai Mitchell for a 40 yard touchdown to give the lead back to Georgia midway through the final quarter. With a 19-18 cushion the defense took over yet again.
Alabama was force into a three and out, and Georgia extended the lead to 26-18 on a Brock Bowers 15 yard touchdown reception with 3:33 to go in the game.
Defense does it for Georgia
Young and the Crimson Tide had a chance to tie the game in the final minutes, but they had their comeback bid cut short when Kelee Ringo intercepted Young and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown.
Stetson, who passed for 224 yards and two touchdowns, broke down in tears on the sideline as soon as Ringo secured the interception. When asked how it felt when the pick was made, the once forgotten about quarterback said “I cried, so pretty good.”
Kirby Smart snapped his losing streak against his mentor Nick Saban and the Bulldog’s snapped a seven game losing streak against the Crimson Tide. Paying homage to long time Georgia radio announcer Larry Munson Smart said post game "There's going to be some property torn up in Indianapolis tonight,"
The party is just beginning in Athens after a 41 year wait, the Georgia Bulldogs are National Champions.
Kirby Smart has just given the green light to start the celebrations. From Indy to Athens let the party begin
Ringo calls game with the pick six to give the Bulldogs their first national champioship in 41 years.
Bennett knew he had a free play and took a chance down field. Mitchell made the fantastic catch to give the lead back to Georgia.
No one in the stadium thought this was a fumble other than the refs. I don't even think Branch, who made the recovery, thought that ball was live.
The blocked kick turn the tides in the Bulldogs favor. They would go on to score the first touchdown of the game on the ensuing drive.
It took a while to get the offense going, but this Pickens catch was a highlight of Georgia's first half.
The defense set the tone from the very first possession. The TD was taken off the board, but UGA showed they weren't going to make it easy for Alabama.
GAME OVER!!!
Young is sacked and that will do it!!! THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!
Young is sacked and that will bring up 3rd and 28. It's just a matter of time now for the Bulldogs.
PICK SIX BULLDOGS!!!
Young is picked off by Ringo who takes it to the house to seal the game and the National Championship for the Georgia Bulldogs!!!
Bulldogs lead 33-18 with under a minute to go.
Brooks trying a one handed catch down the side line but couldn't bring it in. 3rd and 10 from the UGA 44.
Young rolling right and Latu gets open up the right sideline for 12 yards.
Latu is going to be the one for Alabama if they are going to tie this game up.
Young hits Robinson out of the backfield on third down to move the chains. Two minutes to go fro Indy
Here comes the Heisman Trophy winner down by 8 with 3:33 to go. He is without his top targets due to injury. Who will step up on this drive?
TOUCHDOWN BULLDOGS!!!
Pass into the flat to Bowers and he cuts up field and takes it into the endzone for a 15 yard touchdown!!!
Georgia extend the lead to 26-18 after the PAT with 3:33 to go.
McKinstry flagged for the pass interference, but he didn't need to. The pass was overthrown and he had good coverage up until the end. 1st and 10 inside the 30 yard line.
The Bulldogs going to the run game trying to wind some clock down. White moves the chains a couple times with some down hill running and Georgia in inside the 40 yard line.
Georgia's defense forces Bama into a three and out and they will take the ball back from their own 38 yard line.
They have the ball and the lead with 7:10 to go in the final quarter.
TOUCHDOWN GEORGIA!!!
Bennett goes deep knowing Alabama jump offsides, and Mitchell makes an incredible catch for the 40 yard TD!!
UGA lead 19-18 after a failed two point conversion.
Things are starting to get tense in Indy with 8:09 to go in the fouth.
UGA are in Bama territory after a pass interference flag, and a 10 yard Bennett pass to McIntosh!
TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA!!!
Young evades pressure on 3rd down, rolls right and hits Latu for the 3 yard TD pass!!
Bama's two point conversion is no good after Young is stopped on his run to the right pylon.
Bama retakes the lead 18-13 with 10:14 to go in the 4th.
Wyatt flagged for roughing the passer, and that will give Bama 1st and goal from the 6.
We have seen Georgia commit penalties on the offensive end, but that's their first costly defensive penalty.
FUMBLE!!!
The ruling on the field stands and what a turning point forced by the Bama defense. 1st and 10 from the UGA 16.
Alabama have been in the red zone 3 times tonight, and have settled for 3 FGs.
Bennett was pressured in the backfield by Harris, and the ball came out of his hands and ruled a fumble recovered by Alabama.
They will have a look at the play again, because there is a lot to determine he with 11:35 to go in the 4th.
FIELD GOAL ALABAMA!!!
Georgia come up with a huge goal to go stand!!! Young was under pressure and looked to Holden in the corner of the endzone but overshot him.
Reichard drills his fouth field goal of the game, this time from 21 yards. Georgia are still in the lead, up 13-12 with 12:59 to go in the fourth quarter.
Young to Hall on a looping pass inside the 5 yard line!
Hall just had a drop, but makes up for it with a beautiful catch for 28 yards to set up 1st and Goal.
The Freshman is stepping up when Bama need him most.
Young looking like a Heisman Trophy winner on third down, connecting with Holden for 10 yards to move the chains and that will end the third quarter.
Alabama at their own 42 down by four with 15 minutes to go.
TOUCHDOWN BULLDOGS!!!
White muscles his way into the endzone for the first touchdown of the night!!! The 1 yard run gives Georgia their first lead of the game.
The Dogs lead 13-9 with 1:20 to go in the 3rd Quarter.
The momentum has take a turn in the Bulldogs favor. Cook takes the opening run of the drive after the blocked field goal 67 yards and just like that the Bulldogs are down to the Bama 13 yard line.
BLOCKED KICK!!!
Georgia come up with the stop, and the blocked field goal to keep the Alabama lead at three!
The Bulldogs special teams comes up with a potential game changing play with 3:18 to go in the third quarter.
Young under pressure releaed to Hall down the right sideline, and Hall dropped it. Great throw from young but the freshman couldn't reel it in. Bama will settle for a field goal.
Robinson picks up another first down on third and short, and the Georgia defense is starting to look tired. UGA's offense has to find a way to stay on the field a bit longer. First things first though, they need to hold Bama to a FG om this drive.
Young is 7/7 on this drive. They have all been short passes, but they have been productive.
Robinson this time out of the backfield take the catch and run for 12 yards. 1st and 10 from the 40. Robinson is starting to come to life, and that's trouble for Georgia.
He has 48 yards on this drive, 30 on the ground and 18 through the air.
Bama look like a team without a down field threat without Williams, and as a result their offense has turned to a dink and dunk look in the passsing game. A lot of screens, and passes to the flat that just chip away at the Bulldogs defense.
There's Robinson not only giving Bama a bit of breathing room from the 2 yard line, but breaks his first big run on the night for 19 yards after busting through a couple of arm tackles. Is this the drive the Robinson takes over this game?
Another unfulfilled drive that is shut down after three plays. On a postive note Georgia has taken over the field possession battle, and the Tide will start their next drive from their own 2 yard line.
INTERCEPTION!!!
Young goes deep and is picked off by Smith.
Georgia will take over from the ALA 43.
Williams will not return to this game. Terrible news for Bama, and terrible news for football fans. He's one of the best players in the College, and he will not be able to feature in the biggest game of his life.
Will we finally see Robinson Jr. make his mark in this game? He has just 18 yards on 17 carries so far.
A flea flicker that lead to nothing but an intentional grounding flag leads to another 3rd and long. Kirby Smart talked about that going into the haftime break. UGA needs to stop making self inflicted mistakes setting up 3rd and long.
Bama will take over from their 7 yard line after the punt.
Two runs for a total of 30 yards by White gets the Bulldogs off to a good start in this second half.
That's what the Bulldogs have to do in this second half to keep this Bama defense honest.
We are underway in the second half and Georgia will start the third quarter with the ball.
It looked like the perfect start to the game for the Bulldogs, but the play was overturned after a review showed Young's arm moving forward.
Young has 206 yards on 15/26 passing while Bennett is 11/17 for 127 yards.
Niether of the running games have got going yet. Georgia has a total of 26 yards, while the Crimson Tide have just 10 yards on the ground.
The headline coming out of the first half it Jameson Williams' knee injury. There is still no word on if he will come back tonight or not.
We are headed to halftime in a battle of field goals after the first two quarters! Bama lead 9-6
White picks up the first down and that should do it for the first half of action.
Saban took a while to take a timeout with third down coming up. He finally does it with 22 second left but he let a good 20/25 seconds wind off the clock before calling the timeout
Georgia come up with the stop despite Bama working their way into Bulldog territory.
Bennett and the Bulldogs will most likely have the final possession of the first half.
Bama has three timeouts, so they'll be wighing their options eyeing one more possession in this half.
Hall with a big reception on third and short after an offsides penalty moved Bama closer to the marker.
Hall broke a tackle and cut up field for a 24 yard gain.
Will the Freshman be the one to step up in the absence of Williams?
FIELD GOAL GEORGIA!!!
The Bulldogs come up empty on 3rd and long, but Podlesny drills the 49 yard field goal to cut into the lead.
3:09 to go in the half and the Crimson Tide lead 9-3
We are under 4 minutes to go in the first half. 3rd and 14 coming up from Georgia.
Mitchell brings Georgia into Bama territory on 3rd and 4 with a 10 yard reception. Here come the Dogs.
There's a first down on a pass from Bennett to McIntosh for 10 yards. And that's big for Georgia, they had gone 3 and out on 3 of their first 4 drives.
Any time you can move the chains and keep your offense on the field for a while is a good thing against this vicious Bama defense.
This is the story of the game so far. Alabama was able to extend their lead despite being without Williams.
Young gets dropped in the backfield for the second time tonight. This time it's on 3rd and Goal and Bama settle for yet another field goal
Reichard has all nine points for the Crimson Tide after splitting the uprights from 37 yards. 9-3 Alabama leads with 7:07 to go in the second quarter.
No Williams, no problem!!! Latu takes it down the side line for a 61 yard catch and run and Bama is inside the 10 with a 3rd and Goal
Let's see how this Bama offfense moves the ball without WIlliams.
A false start penalty on first down put the Bulldogs behind the eight ball. They went three and out and the Tide get the ball back looking to extend their three point lead.
The Over/Under coming into tonight was 53.5. A shootout wasn't expected, but neither was a defensive showdown. At the moment that's what we have.
McIntosh takes the kick back to the ALA 35 after a 59 yard return, but it's coming back after a holding penalty.
They are not a team known for thier kick returns, but that would have been huge for Georgia.
FIELD GOAL ALABAMA!!!
The Bama drive comes to an aburpt end after Bolden is stopped short of the marker on 3rd and 6.
Reichard's FG is good from 45 yards and the Tide lead 6-3 with 11:12 to go in the first half.
Williams is walking very tenderly to the locker room after suffering that knee injury just moments ago. If he can't come back Young will be left without his top two weapons with John Metchie already out due to injury.
Williams left wide open down the middle of the field for a 40 yard gain on the opening play of the drive, but terrible news for Williams and Alabama, as he stays down clutching his knee after stepping awkwardly following the catch. That would be a devastating blow for the Crimson Tide.
FIELD GOAL GEORGIA!!!
Bennett trying to sneak in with his legs on 3rd and Goal, but he's stopped at the 4 yard line.
Podlesny nails the 24 yard field goal and we are even in Indy with 12:35 to go in the first half.
Bennett hitting Burton on third down for 10 yards to move the chains and the Bulldogs have over 90 yards on this drive. They had 5 yards on their first two drives.
1st and Goal from the 8.
We are at the end of the first quarter in Indianapolis. Things are just starting to warm up with the Bulldogs driving down 3-0 after the first 15 minutes.
Pickens with an incredible catch, laying out for a 52 yard reception and the Bulldogs are rolling.
Let's see if that shakes some of the cob webs off of the Georgia offense, who are inside the Bama 30
There's the first first down of the night. Bennett hits Washington for 9 yards over the middle. Finally a sign of life from the Bulldog offense.
Georgia have to establish a bit of a run game. It won't be easy against this ferocious Bama defense, but they have to keep pounding it to set up play action later down the road.
The Georgia defense is hitting tonight. They have been on the field for a long time, but they are holding steady with this very talented Alabama offense.
Three and out for the Crimson Tide and Georgia will get the ball back looking for their first first down of the game.
The Dogs go three and out in their second straight series, and have a total of one yard over 10 minutes into the game.
What an open field tackle by Cee on third down to cut the Tide's drive short. Georgia will get the ball back from their 25 after a 35 yard punt.
Let's see if Bennett and the Bulldogs come out with a bit more poise on thier second drive of the night.
Bama is going no huddle on thier second drive. They are trying to wear that Georgia front four out like they did in the SEC title game.
That was just the second time all season that the Bulldogs were held scoreless on their first drive. The last time came against Auburn.
I don't care how close the game was in the SEC Championship a month ago. Bama have been here before, the Bulldogs haven't and it showed on each team's first drives.
Bennett tucked and ran on the next play and got a great chunk, but a better bounce off the untouched fumble. It popped right back into his hands and that brings up 3rd and 10 after a delay of game backs Goergia up 5 yards. Nervy start for the Bulldogs.
Harris drops Bennett in the backfield for a loss of 14 on the Bulldogs first play. What a start to the night for the Alabama defense.
Here comes Stetson Bennett and the Bulldogs. They will start thier first drive from the 25 after the touchback.
FIELD GOAL ALABAMA!!!
Bama's opening drive comes to a halt after Billingsley slips on the out pattern on third down and a big stop for the Bulldogs to keep the Tide to 3 points.
Reichard's 37 yard field goal is good and Bama are on the board first five minutes into the first quarter.
A Williams 11 yard reception, and a Latu 9 yard reception has Bama inside the Georgia 40. It would be awfully demoralizing for the Bulldogs to think they had a defensive touchdown earlier in the drive to giving up 7 to the Tide on the opening possession.
After review the call on the field is reversed after the refs rule Young's arm was in a throwing motion.
But good news for the Bulldogs, is they got that first sack that they couldn't get over a month ago.
TOUCHDOWN GEORGIA!!!
Young is dropped in the backfield by Davis it's returned for a touchdown by Dean!!
The Bulldogs didn't get to Young once in the SEC Championship, but they get to him on the first series of the game.
The play is under review, as the refs take a look at if Young's arm was moving forward.
Young hits his first pass to Bolden on 3rd and short for 11 yards.
Here we go!!! The Crimson Tide will get the ball back from the 25 after the touchback.
Georgia win the toss and they differ. Alabama and Bryce Young will take the field to start the game.
Kirby Smart is 0-4 against his old boss Nick Saban.
Natalie Grant just belted out a fantastic version of the Star Spangled Banner. Anyone else have chills?
This is the fifth time two top five teams will feature in the National Championship in a rematch of a previous game from earlier in the season. In the four other title games, the loser of the first game won the Title. That's a great sign for the Bulldogs.
According to the sportsbooks, the Bulldogs are a 2.5 point favorite, with the Over/Under set at 53.
This is the third time in the last 96 games that Bama come in as underdogs. The previous two times were against Georgia, and the Crimson Tide won both of those.
We are less than 30 minutes from kick off from Lucas Oil Stadium
Most of the Georgia players were still in high school when the Bulldogs made it to the Title game last. Nerves could be a factor tonight, especially in the early going.
Nick Saban has done this a time or two. He is looking for his 8th National TItle, and 7th as the coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide
Crimson Tide's storied past
Alabama have won 18 claimed national titles, and five unclaimed national titles. Bama’s dynasty has been unprecedented. They have won six of the last twelve Championships and have been in every College Football Playoff except one, since the it was inaugurated in 2014.
This year's earlier matchup
Bama beat the Bulldogs 41-24 in the SEC Championship to punch their ticket to the Playoff and claim the top seed. The Crimson Tide used a 24 point second quarter to help them cruise to the conference title. Bryce Young lit up the Georgia, throwing for 421 yards and three touchdowns while Jameson Williams caught seven passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Alabama also forced Stetson Bennett into two interceptions, one of which was returned for a TD by Jordan Battle.
Georgia's only loss came to Bama in SEC Title game
Aside from the loss to Alabama, Georgia had a perfect season. They went 12-0 coming out of the the SEC East and despite the loss in the conference championship, the Bulldogs made the College Football Playoff. They had a date with the University of Michigan on New Year’s Eve after securing the three seed. UGA made light work of Michigan in a 34-11 victory in which Stetson Bennett threw for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Crimson Tide topple CIncy in semis
The Crimson Tide went 12-1 on the year and qualified to the College Football Playoff for the third straight year. They were named the top seed at the conclusion of the regular season and were matchup up against an undefeated Cincinnati Bearcat team making their first appearance in the Playoff. Bama put a 27-6 spanking on the Bearcats on New Years Eve as Brian Robinson ran for 198 yards on 25 carries. QB Bryce Young threw for three touchdowns and 181 yard to the Tide back to the biggest game of the year.
Bama can go back to back with win tonight
Hello everyone and welcome to Lucas Oil Stadium where the Alabama Crimson Tide are looking to win back to back titles. Standing in their way it is a familiar foe that the Tide have already taken down this year. The Georgia Bulldogs are looking to knock off Nick Saban’s Alabama side and claim their first National Championship since 1980.
Georgia vs. Alabama
This one’s for all the marbles! It’s and all SEC national title game featuring the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs in College Football Playoff National Championship. AS English will be with you every step of the way providing stats, scores, analysis and highlights from tonight’s culminating game of the College football season.