Alabama beat Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday in Atlanta, 26-23 in overtime. The decisive play was a 41-yard touchdown pass from true freshman Tua Tagovailoa to true freshman DeVonta Smith.
Alabama beats Georgia in the National Championship on this 41-yard touchdown pass in overtime
The Tide never, ever quit.
Georgia sacked Tagovailoa for a 16-yard loss on the first play of the Tide’s overtime possession. That appeared to be devastating for Alabama, which had been having a brutal night at the kicking position. Placekicker Andy Pappanastos missed a 36-yard field goal as regulation expired, squandering a shot for Bama to win then.
It’s Alabama’s fifth national title in nine seasons. Nick Saban will win his fifth AP title, tying him with Bama legend Bear Bryant for the most all-time. The Tide staved off an incredible bid by Georgia, whom they’ll see again in future SEC Championships and, perhaps, Playoffs. For now, Saban moved to 12-0 all-time against his former assistant coaches who’d become head men themselves. Former Bama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart came really close to beating the master.
This meeting turned into a classic.
Georgia led 13-0 at halftime. The Tide charged back after that, when they replaced sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts with the five-star Tagovailoa. The rookie led a touchdown drive on his second series in the game, and he kept pushing Alabama’s offense forward after that. The Tide pulled even for the first time since 0-0 when Tagovailoa threw a touchdown on fourth-and-4 to Calvin Ridley.
Bama’s tying score came with 3:49 left in regulation. The Tide forced a stop and got the ball back after that, and Tagovailoa led what appeared likely to be a game-winning drive. Alabama’s offense brought the ball to the Georgia 17-yard line, setting up Pappanastos’ 36-yard field goal attempt. That sailed wide left, forcing overtime.
The Tide could’ve wilted at that point. They did not. Georgia’s star kicker Rodrigo Blankenship made a 51-yard field goal on UGA’s OT possession, and Tagovailoa took a brutal sack on the first play of the next series. The Tide could’ve wilted at that point, too. They didn’t, and now they’re at the mountaintop again.
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