Georgia outlasts Alabama for 1st national title in 41 years

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett celebrates after the they defeated Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday night in Indianapolis. Georgia won, 33-18, for its first national title in 41 years. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates after the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia won 33-18. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Georgia players celebrate after the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia won 33-18. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Alabama’s Chris Owens and Bryce Young walk off the field after the College Football Playoff championship football game against Georgia Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia won 33-18. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Georgia’s Stetson Bennett gets away from Alabama’s Christian Harris during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

George Pickens #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs catches a 55 yard pass in the first quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs looks to pass in the first quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Trey Sanders #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball as Nolan Smith #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs defends in the first quarter of the game in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Jordan Davis #99 of the Georgia Bulldogs tackles Alabama quarterback Bryce Young during the first quarter of the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Georgia’s George Pickens catches a pass in front of Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Alabama’s Dallas Turner sacks Georgia’s Stetson Bennett during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Brian Robinson Jr. #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide evades a tackle by Georgia Bulldogs defensemen in the first quarter of the game during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Alabama receiver Jameson Williams reacts to a catch during the first quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Lewis Cine #16 of the Georgia Bulldogs tackles Slade Bolden #18 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first quarter of the game during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Kenny McIntosh of Georgia carries the ball as Shane Lee of Alabama defends in the second quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young scrambles during the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Cameron Latu of Alabama runs with the ball as Kelee Ringo of Georgia defends in the second quarter of the game during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

LaBryan Ray of Alabama reacts after a punt return in the second quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young throws the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Alabama receiver Jameson Williams catches the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Alabama receiver Jameson Williams injures his knee while running with the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Alabama’s Jameson Williams injures his knee after a catch during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Alabama receiver Jameson Williams lays on the field with an injury during the second quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Alabama mascot reacts during the third quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball in the third quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

James Cook #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball in the third quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Zamir White #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs rushes for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Zamir White #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the third quarter during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Georgia mascot reacts on the sidelines in the third quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Brian Robinson Jr. #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide carries the ball in the third quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Brian Robinson Jr. of the Alabama Crimson Tide carries the ball as Kelee Ringo #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs defends in the third quarter during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs fumbles the ball under pressure from Christian Harris #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter of the game during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Trey Sanders of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a call in favor of Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Georgia’s Kelee Ringo stops Alabama’s Traeshon Holden during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Alabama’s Cameron Latu reacts after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Alabama’s Bryce Young celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Alabama fans cheer after a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Bryce Young of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball while trying to make a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Bryce Young #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball while trying to make a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart offers Alabama quarterback Bryce Young a hand after Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo intercepted Young and returned it for a touchdown for a 33-18 lead over Alabama late in the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Georgia’s Adonai Mitchel catches a touchdown pass over Alabama’s Khyree Jackson during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Adonai Mitchell #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs catches the ball for a touchdown against Khyree Jackson #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter of the game during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates a touchdown with teammate Justin Robinson #9 in the fourth quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart reacts during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Alabama place kicker Will Reichard has a field goal attempt blocked during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Alabama head coach Nick Saban watches during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

James Cook #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs carries the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Brian Branch #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tackles Kenny McIntosh #6 of the Georgia Bulldogs in the fourth quarter of the game during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Kenny McIntosh #6 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after a reception against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs under pressure from Christian Harris #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter of the game during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Brock Bowers #19 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Brock Bowers #19 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts to scoring a touchdown with teammates in the fourth quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Alabama head coach Nick Saban reacts after a Georgia touchdown during the fourth quarter of the CFP national championship game on Monday night in Indianapolis. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Georgia fans cheer during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Phidarian Mathis #48 of the Alabama Crimson Tide grabs the face mask of Kenny McIntosh #6 of the Georgia Bulldogs in the fourth quarter of the game during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Bryce Young #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide hands Chris Owens #79 his helmet after a personal foul in the fourth quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogsto during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Georgia’s Zamir White is stopped during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Georgia’s Kelee Ringo intercepts an Alabama pass before returning it 79 yards for a game-clinching touchdown in the fourth quarter of the CFP national championship game on Monday night in Indianapolis. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Georgia’s Kelee Ringo returns an interception for a touchdown during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Georgia’s Kelee Ringo returns an interception 79 yards for a game-clinching touchdown in the fourth quarter of the CFP national championship game against Alabama on Monday night in Indianapolis. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Georgia’s Kelee Ringo celebrates in the end zone after returning an interception 79 yards for a game-clinching touchdown in the fourth quarter of the CFP national championship game against Alabama on Monday night in Indianapolis. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Georgia fans cheer during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Georgia coach Kirby Smart celebrates with Kelee Ringo after he returned an interception 79 yards for the game-clinching touchdown in the fourth quarter of their victory over Alabama in the CFP national championship game on Monday night in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Georgia’s Stetson Bennett celebrates after the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia won 33-18. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Fans cheer before the College Football Playoff championship football game between Alabama and Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Georgia mascot Uga X sits on the sidelines in the second quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

An Alabama cheerleader performs before the College Football Playoff championship football game against Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

The Georgia marching band performs during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

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By RALPH D. RUSSO

INDIANAPOLIS — Confetti rained down on Georgia. The Bulldogs fans chanted “Kir-by, Kir-by!”

Four decades of pent-up emotion were unleashed Monday night as the Bulldogs snapped a frustrating national championship drought by vanquishing their nemesis.

Stetson Bennett delivered the biggest throws of his storybook career and Georgia’s defense sealed the sweetest victory in program history, beating SEC rival Alabama, 33-18, in the College Football Playoff title game for its first national crown in 41 years.

“I’ve never been around a group of players that really wanted it so bad and wouldn’t be denied,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “I told the guys in the locker room, just take a picture of this.”

Smart, a Bulldogs defensive back in the mid-1990s, returned to his alma mater in 2016 after helping Nick Saban build a dynasty as an assistant at Alabama.

Georgia has become an elite program under Smart, but the Bulldogs had not been able to chase down their conference rival.

Until now.

“This was for all the glory, we took it,” defensive tackle Jordan Davis said.

And they did it the way Alabama has broken their hearts so many times in recent years: Coming from behind and finishing with a flourish.

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 touchdown on a screen to put the Bulldogs ahead by eight points with 3:33 left.

The final blow came from Georgia’s dominant defense. Kelee Ringo intercepted an underthrown deep ball down the sideline by Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young.

“I just saw the ball in his hands and that was all she wrote,” said safety Lewis Cine, the game’s defensive MVP.

With just over a minute left, Ringo took off behind a convoy of blockers and went 79 yards, Smart chasing and yelling at him to go down so he wouldn’t risk a fumble. The touchdown set off a wild celebration by the relieved Georgia fans who packed Lucas Oil Stadium.

“There’s going to be some property torn up in Indianapolis tonight,” Smart said, paraphrasing the late Georgia play-by-play man Larry Munson.

The Bulldogs (14-1) 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 it against top-ranked Alabama (13-2) made it even better.

“I cried, so pretty good,” Bennett said when asked how it felt.

Saban’s Tide had won seven in a row against the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs lost two SEC championship games, including one five weeks ago, and the 2018 CFP title game to Alabama under Smart.

“I told them we burned the boats. The only way home was through them,” Smart said.

Mission accomplished.

Bennett, the former walk-on turned starter, finished 17 for 26 for 224 yards and no interceptions.

For most of the first three quarters, the first CFP title game to be a rematch of a regular-season game was an old-fashioned SEC defensive struggle in the heart of Big Ten country.

The first touchdown came with 1:20 left in the third quarter. After James Cook broke a 67-yard run to get the Bulldogs into the red zone, three more running plays – and a facemask penalty by Alabama – got them into the end zone. Zamir White went in standing up from a yard out with massive defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Davis leading the way as blockers. The Bulldogs led for the first time, 13-9.

After Alabama added another field goal, the Tide caught a break on a strange turnover.

As Bennett was being taken down deep in Georgia territory, he tried to throw the ball away. The ball slipped loose and bounced toward the sideline, seemingly harmless. Alabama’s Drew Sanders casually caught it as he was jogging out of bounds.

Surprisingly, the ruling on the field was a fumble, recovered by the Tide and replay upheld it, giving the Tide the ball in the red zone. A few plays later, Young eluded the rush and found Cameron Latu for a 3-yard touchdown pass that put Alabama ahead 18-13 with 10:14 left.

Once again, it seemed as if Georgia would not be able to break the ’Bama curse.

Bennett was 13 for 22 for 141 yards as the next drive started, and you could practically hear all skeptical Georgia fans wondering why Smart didn’t turn to his four-star back-up QB, J.T. Daniels, for a spark.

As he has done so many times during a career that started on the scout team and took a detour through junior college in Mississippi, the small-town Georgia kid nicknamed The Mailman came through.

Bennett completed all three of his passes for 68 yards, including a long strike to Mitchell for a touchdown with 8:09 left that gave the Bulldogs a one-point lead after a failed 2-point conversion.

The Bulldogs’ defense clamped down on Young, forcing a three-and-out on the Tide’s next drive, and then Georgia went to work on sealing a long-awaited championship.

“It’s a little tough that I let them down today,” said Young, who starred at Mater Dei High. “I’ve got to do better with it.”

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Alexander: College Football Playoff final, or SEC championship II?

The sophomore finished 35 for 57 for 359 yards with two interceptions, playing without his top two receivers for most of the game. All-American Jameson Williams went out early in the second quarter with a knee injury, and John Metchie III was injured in the SEC title game.

Young was sacked three times after Georgia didn’t bring him down once in the first meeting.

“We played a heck of a game against a heck of a team for the first three quarters of the game,” said Saban, who was denied his eighth national title, which would have been his seventh with Alabama in the last 13 years. “Nobody can take the SEC championship away from this team, the Cotton Bowl championship.

“We just didn’t finish the way we needed to finish.”

After more than 40 years, it was Georgia’s time to finish.

“You put as much time as we do in this thing, blood, sweat, tears,” Bennett said, “it means something.”

GEORGIA PICK-SIX TO SEAL THE WIN! #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/MHlE9MMZHI

— ESPN (@espn) January 11, 2022

The moment the Dawgs became national champions @GeorgiaFootball | #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/H2VenrgTQ1

— ESPN (@espn) January 11, 2022

“I just love everything about this place and I wanted to win a national championship here.”

Stetson Bennett did it for Georgia pic.twitter.com/LZEd1TC0aP

— ESPN (@espn) January 11, 2022

Kirby Smart and Nick Saban.

All class pic.twitter.com/LJBibd3TOt

— ESPN (@espn) January 11, 2022

by
on January 11, 2022

Georgia outlasts Alabama for 1st national title in 41 years

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