Georgia wins College Football National Championship: Live updates | CNN (2024)

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and defensive back Lewis Cine celebrate after the win.

Kirby Smart, Stetson Bennett and the Georgia Bulldogs turned back their demons and turned away Alabama, defeating the reigning national champions to capture the school’s first title since 1980.

Smart — who had previously been 0-4 when facing his mentor Nick Saban as a head coach — watched his top-ranked Bulldogs close the game with a 33-18 victory in Indianapolis.

Saban, who was seeking his seventh national title at Alabama, and eighth overall, was Smart’s boss for nine seasons in Tuscaloosa, and most recently got the better of his pupil during the SEC Championship game. The rematch, however, went the way of Georgia, in large part thanks to senior quarterback Stetson Bennett.

A costly fourth-quarter Red Zone fumble by Bennett led to Alabama’s lone touchdown, a three-yard strike from Bryce Young to Cameron Latu which put the Crimson Tide in front 18-13 with 10:14 to play. However, on the very next possession, Bennett responded with a picturesque 40-yard scoring strike to Adonai Mitchell, giving the Bulldogs the lead right back at 19-18.

Georgia’s vaunted defense, exposed during the 17-point loss to Alabama on Dec. 4, was more than up to the task in the rematch, holding Alabama to just 30 rushing yards, and forcing a pair of turnovers. The second of which, an interception by Kelee Ringo, served as the nail in the coffin, as the 19-year-old freshman cornerback picked off Young and raced 79 yards for Georgia’s third straight touchdown.

Young, who had designs on following wide receiver DeVonta Smith and becoming the second straight Alabama player to win both the Heisman Trophy and National Championship in the same season, was attempting to lead the Crimson Tide to a game-tying score and two-point conversion, when his throw was snatched by Ringo. On the night, the sophom*ore signal-caller attempted a whopping 57 throws, completing 35 for 369 yards in the loss.

Bennett, though asked to do less, was sharpest when it mattered most, following his touchdown pass to Mitchell with a 15-yard scoring toss to Brock Bowers, putting Georgia up 8 points with 3:33 to play. Bennett ends his storybook career in Athens by going 17-26 for 224 yards and earning offensive MVP honors.

The game’s earliest moments lacked a certain degree of excitement as both Georgia and Alabama were largely forced to settle for field goals. The Crimson Tide led 9-6 at the half, and the game’s first touchdown wasn’t scored until Georgia running back Zamir Whitepunched it in from one yardout with 1:20 remaining in the third quarter.

However, the game’s final quarter offered up big plays befitting a contest of this magnitude, including both Bennett’s fumble and his touchdown pass on the ensuing drive.

For Smart, the win means he finally gets the better of his mentor. For Georgia, though, it’s simply a return to top dog status, 41 years in the making.

Stetson Bennett kisses his team's trophy after Monday night's win.

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV was named the Offensive Player of the Game.

Bennett was 17 for 26, with 224 passing yards and two touchdowns. In a key moment in the fourth quarter, the senior quarterback launched a 40-yard scoring strike to Adonai Mitchell, to take back the lead from the Crimson Tide 19-18. The Dawgs never gave back the advantage and went on to win 33-18.

Georgia defensive back Lewis Cine was named that Defensive Player of the Game. He had 7 tackles.

Georgia's Javon Bullard celebrates after the win on Monday night.

Georgia defeated Alabama 33-18 in the College Football National Championship game.

This is Georgia’s first national title in football since the 1980 season.

It’s Georgia’s first win against Alabama since 2007.

Alabama was vying for its seventh national title since the 2009 season.

Kelee Ringo celebrates scoring on an interception late in the fourth quarter.

The Georgia defense back Kelee Ringo intercepted Bryce Young and took it to to the house.

Georgia now leads 33-18 with less than a minute to play.

Brock Bowers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The Georgia offense capped off a 62-yard, 7-play drive with a touchdown to push their lead to eight points.

A key 9-yard run by Georgia’s thumping running back Zamir White got the Dawgs down to the Alabama 15-yard line.

A few plays later on third and short, Stetson Bennett flipped it to Brock Bowers, who scampered 15 yards to the end zone.

Georgia now leads late in the fourth, 26-18.

Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell catches the ball for a 40-yard touchdown as he's defended by Khyree Jackson in the fourth quarter.

Stetson Bennett has a short memory. And that’s good for Georgia.

After a costly Red Zone fumble led to Alabama’s first touchdown of the game and a five-point Crimson Tide lead, the senior signal-caller launched a 40-yard scoring strike to Adonai Mitchell, giving the Bulldogs the lead right back. The score is now 19-18.

Bennett knew he had a free play as Alabama’s defense jumped offsides, and he certainly took advantage with a throw that has quickly rewritten the script in this back-and-forth drama.

Georgia went for two and failed to convert, leaving the National Championship game as a one-point affair in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Bryce Young reacts after throwing a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to give Alabama the lead.

Alabama took over inside the Georgia Red Zone after a wild fumble recovery by the Crimson Tide defense.

A roughing the passer penalty on Georgia set up Alabama with first and goal at the six-yard line. On third and goal, Bryce Young completed a pass to tight end Cameron Latu in the end zone for the touchdown, regaining the lead for Alabama.

The Tide failed on the two-point conversion. They now lead 18-13 in the fourth quarter.

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett fumbles the ball in the fourth quarter.

The momentum has shifted in Indianapolis following a bizarre - and costly - turnover by Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett.

Pressured out of the pocket, the Bulldogs signal-caller was unable to throw the ball away, as the pigskin slipped out of his hand and bounced precariously toward the sideline.

Jogging casually, Alabama’s Brian Branch corralled the football, and unknowingly kept his front foot in bounds despite thinking it was a dead ball.

The game’s officials initially ruled the play a fumble, a call that was upheld after further review, giving the Crimson Tide possession in the Red Zone.

After Georgia found the end zone for the first time tonight, on the next drive, Alabama came up short and had to settle for yet another field goal.

Bryce Young completed a 28-yard pass to wide receiver Agiye Hall to get Alabama to the Georgia five-yard line. But the Tide couldn’t push it in for the score.

It’s now Georgia 13, Alabama 12 in the fourth quarter

Georgia running back Zamir White celebrates after his short touchdown run in the third quarter.

On the strength of the game’s first touchdown, Georgia holds a slim four-point lead as the NCAA National Championship game moves to the 4th quarter in Indianapolis.

Georgia’s Zamir White punched it in from a yard out late in the third quarter, giving the Bulldogs their first advantage of the evening.

Georgia's Jalen Carter blocks a field goal in the third quarter.

On their third possession of the 3rd quarter, Alabama ran 17 plays, picked up 68 yards and ate up 7:45 of clock. They did not, however, add to their lead.

The Crimson Tide’s long sustained drive goes for naught as Georgia’s Jalen Carter blocks what would have been Will Reichard’s fourth field goal of the game, keeping the score at 9-6 Alabama.

Following the blocked field goal, Georgia running back James Cook broke a huge run for 67-yards to the Alabama 13 yard line on the next play.

A facemask penalty inside their own three-yard line by Alabama set up Georgia with first and goal. On the next play, Bulldogs running back Zamir White hammered it into the end zone for the game’s first touchdown.

It’s now 13-9 Georgia, 1:20 remaining in the third quarter.

Christopher Smith celebrates with teammate Lewis Cine after intercepting a pass by Alabama's Bryce Young in the third quarter.

We’re less than three minutes into the second half from Indianapolis, and the Georgia Bulldogs have registered the game’s first turnover.

On Alabama’s first offensive possession following the intermission, Bryce Young was picked off by Georgia defensive back Christopher Smith.

The interception gave the Bulldogs the ball on the Tide’s side of the field at the 43. However, Georgia was unable to capitalize, going three and out and punting the ball back to Alabama.

The score remains 9-6 Alabama.

Alabama's Jameson Williams injures his knee after a catch in the first half.

Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams is out for the game after suffering a knee injury in the first half.

Williams went down after hauling in a 40-yard reception down the middle of the field. Following the play, was helped off the field before heading for the locker room.

The second half is getting underway at the National Championship game in Indianapolis.

Georgia, trailing 6-9, gets the ball first in the third quarter.

Alabama's Slade Bolden reaches for a ball that fell incomplete during the second quarter.

Thirty minutes of gameplay.

Twenty-six combined wins on the season.

Two of the best teams in the nation.

Zero touchdowns.

Through the first half of the National Championship game, Alabama leads Georgia 9-6 as neither team has been able to find the end zone.

The two teams are a combined 6-17 on third down, as both quarterbacks have had to contend with pestering and productive pass rushes from the other side.

Alabama’s Bryce Young, the Heisman Trophy winner, has completed 15 of his 26 pass attempts for 206 yards, with the bulk of the damage being done on two second quarter chunk plays: a 61-yard catch-and-run by tight end Cameron Latu, and a 40-yard dime hauled in by wide receiver Jameson Williams. Williams, however, suffered an apparent knee injury on the play and has yet to return.

Meanwhile, Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett, who’s been plagued by penalties and long third-down conditions, has completed 11 of 17 passes for 127 yards, with the highlight coming on a 52-yard completion to George Pickens. The Bennett to Pickens connection led to Georgia’s first points of the evening, care of a 24-yard field goal from Jack Podlesny.

Podlsesny added a 49-yarder later in the second quarter, as the Georgia kicker is trying to go toe-to-toe with Alabama’s Will Reichard who has a trio of 3-pointers himself.

In the first half Alabama outgained Georgia 216 yards to 153 — though Georgia is winning the time of possession battle, 16:08 to 13:52.

Georgia kicker Jack Podlesny boomed one from 49-yards after the Dawgs’ drive was stopped short. Both teams are still failing to find the end zone tonight.

Alabama is up 9-6 late in the second quarter.

Alabama's Cameron Latu runs past Georgia's Kelee Ringo after a catch during the first half.

With his top two targets unavailable due to injury, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young needed another place to go with the football. Cameron Latu offered him that opportunity.

Facing 2nd-and-5 from his own 31, the ‘Bama signal-caller dumped it off to his 6’5”, 250 junior tight end, then watched as Latu rumbled 61 yards to the Georgia 8 yard line for the game’s biggest gain.

A 3rd down sack three plays later cost the Tide 13 yards and a shot at a touchdown.

Instead, Alabama settled for Will Reichard’s 3rd field goal of the game, extending its lead to 9-3.

After Georgia drove down the field and put up its first three points of the game, Alabama answered rightback.

On the first play of the ensuing drive, Bryce Young completed one for 40-yards to wide receiver Jameson Williams, who went down with an apparent knee injury.

Alabama could go no further than the Georgia 28-yard line and had to settle for a 45-yard field goal. It’s now Alabama 6, Georgia 3 in the second quarter.

Georgia's George Pickens catches a pass in the first half.

The Georgia offense was nearly non-existent for the first quarter in the National Championship game.

All that changed on one play, thanks to a high-arcing, 52-yard strike from quarterback Stetson Bennett to receiver George Pickens.

The play represented only the second first down of the game for the Bulldogs, and served as the key moment in a drive that concluded with a 24-yard field goal from Jack Podlesny, tying the game at 3-3.

On the drive, Georgia picked up 87 yards and four total first downs, a stark contrast from the Dawgs opening two possessions, which yielded simply a single net yard.

It’s now 3-3 in the second quarter, and Alabama is marching into Georgia territory.

We’re through one quarter in Indianapolis. Alabama put up an early field goal to take the 3-0 lead. But Georgia is driving.

Bulldogs have the ball just outside the Tide red zone when the game resumes in the second quarter.

Alabama's Trey Sanders stiff-arms Nolan Smith in the first quarter.

Through nearly 11 minutes of play in Indianapolis, Alabama holds a slight 3-0 edge over Georgia.

However, the Tide’s dominance is significantly more evident upon a deeper dive into the game’s early statistics.

With 4:12 remaining in the first quarter, Alabama holds a distinct advantage in several key categories:

Total yards

Alabama, 76; Georgia, 1

Time of possession

Alabama, 7:38; Georgia, 3:10

First downs

Alabama, 5; Georgia, 0

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett fumbles in the first quarter.

A sack, a fumble, a delay of game penalty, then an incomplete pass — sigh, and out comes the punt team.

It’s a simply horrific first possession for quarterback Stetson Bennett and the Georgia Bulldogs. Alabama lead 3-0 in the first quarter.

Alabama's Bryce Young throws a pass during the opening drive.

After a “scoop-and-score” that wasn’t, Alabama is first on the scoreboard in the National Championship Game.

Will Reichard’s 37-yard field goal capped a 14-play, 56-yard drive by the defending champs. Alabama now leads 3-0 from Indianapolis.

The Crimson Tide dodged a bullet early on the drive as a quarterback Bryce Young initially appeared to fumble the football, allowing Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean to rumble nearly untouched for what would have been a 6-0 Bulldogs lead.

However, after a review by the officials, Young was ruled to have been attempting to throw the ball, resulting in an incomplete pass, and Alabama retained possession.

It’s still 3-0, and Alabama has the ball on offense once again.

Georgia's Jordan Davis sacks Alabama quarterback Bryce Young on the opening drive.

It’s a wild start to the game in Indy: Alabama quarterback Bryce Young went down and lost the ball. Georgia’s defense recovered and ran it back for what was initially ruled a touchdown for the Bulldogs.

But further review revealed that Young’s arm was moving forward and the officials overturned the call on the field, ruling it an incomplete pass.

Alabama dodges an early bullet.

It’s kickoff time in Indianapolis! The 2021-22 College Football Playoff National Championship game is officially underway.

Alabama will get the ball first.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young walks onto the field prior to Monday's National Championship game.

When Alabama takes the field this evening for the NCAA National Championship game, they’ll do so led by 20-year-old sophom*ore quarterback Bryce Young, the latest name from an impressive list of Crimson Tide superstars to have been handed the Heisman Trophy.

Awarded to the nation’s top overall player, the Heisman has made its way to Tuscaloosa four times in the last 12 seasons, including one year ago when former ‘Bama wide receiver, and Young’s teammate, DeVonta Smith, earned the honor.

But does the individual honor automatically spell success on college football’s biggest stage?

Prior to Young, six of the last seven Heisman Trophy winners have appeared in the College Football playoff, with three — Derrick Henry in 2015, Joe Burrow in 2019, and Smith a year ago — ultimately adding a team title to their personal list of accomplishments.

If you go back to 2009 and the BCS era, former Tide running back Mark Ingram also completed college football’s most iconic double play, capturing the Heisman Trophy in December, and then leading Alabama to a Championship Game victory over Texas one month later.

Young has a chance this evening to become the fifth Alabama signal-caller in the last 13 seasons to win the national championship as a first-year starter. Should he complete the feat, it will mean that all four of the Crimson Tide’s Heisman winners went on to win a National Championship, though Young would be the only signal-caller to tackle the task.

So, basically, no pressure.

It’s one of the biggest rivalries in college football, but — while their teams will duke it out on the field Monday night — familiar faces from the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama will also unite against a “common opponent”: Covid-19.

University of Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne and University of Georgia head coach Kirby Smartare participating in a television adthat will air during the College Football Playoff National Championship game Monday night, with both encouraging viewers to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and get their booster shots.

“And now Omicron is lining up for a blitz,” Smart adds, calling Covid-19 vaccines and boosters “our best defense.”

Read more here.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz have made a friendly wager ahead of the College Football National Championship game.

Mayor Girtz said CNN’s New Day that he has “successfully found” with other mayors who were supporters of the Clemson University and the University of Florida “that if I laid a wager that we came out successful.” Appearing on TV along with Mayor Maddox, the Athens mayor asked him if he would be up for it.

Maddox responded, “Absolutely.”

The mayors have agreed to wear a hat of the opposing team if they lose and deliver a check to a charity of their community’s choice.

When Alabama (13-1) and Georgia (13-1) meet inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis this evening they’ll be doing so for the second time in 37 days, as the Crimson Tide upset the Bulldogs 41-24 in the SEC Title Game. The Dec. 4 win secured ‘Bama’s position in the 4-team College Football Playoff and simultaneously handed the ‘Dawgs its lone loss on the season.

Five weeks and two days later, the two Southeastern Conference powerhouses arrive in America’s Midwest, each having handled their business in their respective National Semifinals.

#RollTide

On the afternoon of Dec. 31, Alabama comfortably controlled previously unbeaten Cincinnati by a count of 27-6, in the process confirming the fact that the Bearcats have a ways to go before they’re ready to truly tangle with the Tide and the rest of the nation’s Power-5 elite. Cincinnati had been the first school from a non-Power 5 conference (Those are the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC) to reach the College Football Playoff — but they ran into the most dominant program of the last decade and counting.

The result was a swift door-slamming on any hopes of seeing Cinderella Cincy advancing to the season’s final game, as the Bearcats trailed 17-3 at halftime and were held without a touchdown for the first time since the first month of the 2019 season.

The win was Alabama’s 13th on the season, setting up head coach Nick Saban for a shot at his 7th national title in Tuscaloosa, and 8th overall (Saban lead LSU to the championship in 2003.) Standing in Saban’s way? Former Alabama assistant coach Kirby Smart.

#GoDawgs

Now the top dog at Georgia, Smart led UGA into its National Semifinal on New Year’s Eve against Big Ten champion Michigan. Riding high after having ousted rival Ohio State in the regular-season finale, the Wolverines were outplayed by Georgia from the onset, falling 34-11 in a game that was 14-0 Georgia after the first quarter, and 27-3 Georgia at the half.

Georgia’s stout defense forced three turnovers in the victory and held Michigan to just 91 yards on the ground. The win gives Smart yet another opportunity to upend his mentor, whom he’s faced four times as a head coach, including most recently in the SEC Championship game.

The mentor vs. the mentees

Smart served under Saban at Alabama for nine seasons and is part of a growling list of former assistants who have struggled against their former boss. Over the past 12 campaigns, Saban is 25-1 against his former assistants when facing them as head coaches, with Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M serving as the only Saban disciple to break the trend. The 41-38 Oct. 1 upset by the Aggies served as the season’s sole defeat for the Crimson Tide.

A second one this evening would see Smart finally sack Saban — and in the process, give Georgia its first national championship since 1980.

Several games during the 2021-22 bowl season were forced to be called off due to Covid-19 protocols.

Here are the bowl games that were called off:

No. 1 Alabama is set to take on No. 3 Georgia on Monday night in theCollege Football PlayoffNational Championship game.

The Crimson Tide took down the Bulldogs 41-24 in theSEC Championship Gameon December 4 in Atlanta. It was Georgia’s only loss of the regular season.

Alabama receiver Ja'Corey Brooks scores a touchdown against Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl on December 31.

Tonight’s National Championship game comes after the semifinals saw reigning champion Alabama dominate Cincinnati 27-6 in the Cotton Bowl. In the other semifinal, Georgia thumped Michigan 34-11 in the Orange Bowl.

Crimson Tide quarterback and 2021 Heisman Trophy winnerBryce Youngthrew for 181 yards and three touchdowns against Cincinnati, while running back Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for 204 yards.

“I didn’t think I was going to be a spotlight. We just game-planned,” Robinson said. “It was just, whatever they throw at us, we got to adjust to it.”

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett carved up the Michigan defense, throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns, and running back James Cook added 109 yards receiving and a touchdown.

Georgia receiver Adonai Mitchell catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter of the Orange Bowl on December 31.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart complimented his quarterback when asked why the Bulldogs were throwing quick routes early in the game.

The stout Bulldog defense kept the Michigan offense in check, not allowing a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter. Georgia cornerback Derion Kendrick intercepted Michigan starting quarterback Cade McNamara twice.

“Everybody is going to make plays. It’s about what you’re going to do the next play and the next play,” Kendrick said. “I gave up a few plays, but I kept pushing, and you see the results.”