Georgia finally does it - Bulldogs win national championship over Alabama

The apprentice finally got one over on the master – and there is a new college football champion.

Kirby Smart, a longtime assistant under Nick Saban, delivered third-ranked Georgia its first national title since 1980 with a 33-18 victory over defending champion and No. 1 Alabama in front of 68,311 fans on Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Southeastern Conference rivals traded blows in a hard-hitting, field-goal fest for most of three quarters with Alabama clinging to a 9-6 lead. But the teams combined for 22 points over an eight-minute stretch, capped by a 40-yard touchdown pass from Stetson Bennett to Adonai Mitchell, who pulled it in as he was thrown to the turf in the end zone by Khyree Jackson to give the Bulldogs a 19-18 lead with 8:07 left.

The ensuing 2-point conversion failed. But it was enough offense for Georgia, which left no doubt by tacking on another score – a 15-yard swing pass from Bennett to tight end Brock Bowers with 3:37 left – on its following drive.

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Georgia’s tenacious defense took care of the rest. The Bulldogs, who led the country in points allowed coming into the national championship (9.6 points per game) by a wide margin over No. 2 Clemson, stopped Alabama time and time again in the second half, including on its final drive in a fitting finish.

Alabama drove to the Georgia 44 before Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young’s pass was intercepted by redshirt freshman Kelee Ringo, who returned the ball 79 yards for a touchdown into the end zone where the Georgia faithful were already in full delirium.

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Smart was 0-4 against Saban, including a stunning 41-24 loss to Alabama last month in the SEC championship game. Alabama, winners of six national titles under Saban since 2009, had defeated Georgia seven consecutive times until Monday’s redemption.

On a cold night in Indianapolis, those previous losses became ancient history. When Young was dropped for a sack by Nolan Smith, the confetti flew and Georgia could finally celebrate its first national title in more than four decades.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: College football playoff: Georgia beats Alabama for national championship