College Football Recap:: Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Georgia Bullsdogs 18:33

The Georgia Bulldogs won the National Championship Game in the College Football Playoff against the Alabama Crimson Tide 33:18, crowning themselves national champions for the first time since 1980. After a tough start, the Dawgs turned up mightily in the fourth quarter.

The first half of the National Championship Game 2022 between Alabama and Georgia at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis / Indiana was characterized by strong defenses and mostly conservative offensive play. However, it also started with a moment of shock for Alabama, because early in the first attack series, Heisman winner quarterback Bryce Young lost a fumble in a supposed sack, which Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean carried to a touchdown in the end zone. On closer inspection of the pictures, however, the correct decision was made that the pass was incomplete and thus the complete play was negated.

The Crimson Tide then marched into the Red Zone, but was not stopped there for the last time. Kicker Will Reichard finally scored from 37 yards for an early lead.

Afterwards, both sides sprinkled occasional shot plays – Georgia QB Stetson Bennett, for example, found wide receiver George Pickens for a 52-yard pass, which was preceded by a field goal by the Bulldogs to 3: 3 in the meantime. Bama, in turn, had a 40-yard pass to wide receiver Jameson Williams, who injured his knee during the action and had to get out. A big blow for the Crimson Tide, after all, after John Metchie in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia, the team also lost their second 1000-yard receiver. And later, tight end Cameron Latu managed a 61-yard catch. In the red zone, however, both teams initially failed to find the end zone. The bottom line was that Alabama took a 9-6 lead for the break.

In the third quarter, Georgia continued to be less offensive, but the defense and the special team began to play. First, Safety Christopher Smith managed an interception against Young. That one had tried a deep shot at tight end Jahleel Billingsley, but that one broke off the route a little too early with a good cover. Then Georgia managed again no more than one more punt. This was followed by a long series of attacks against Bama, which ended again with a field goal attempt. Reichard’s kick from 48 yards was blocked by Jalen Carter.

Alabama vs. Georgia: Bulldogs awaken after field goal block

And this play was like a wake-up call for the rest of the team, because suddenly the offense also worked. Running back James Cook brought his team into the Red Zone with a 67-yard run and a little later it was Zamir White who completed the fast drive with a 1-yard touchdown run for the first Georgia lead of the evening.

This should last longer, because the third Red Zone trip Bamas immediately afterwards ended with a field goal from Reichard, this time from 21 yards. After that, however, events rolled over. Linebacker Christian Harris struck a lightning bolt against Bennett and slot cornerback Brian Branch captured the ball just before the touchline for a turnover. In fairness it has to be mentioned that the referee’s fumble decision was close to an incomplete pass. In any case, Bama took over in the Red Zone and accepted the gift. In the end, Young Latu found a 3-yard touchdown pass to make it 18:13 – the subsequent 2-point conversion failed. There were a little more than ten minutes left to play.

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