College Football National Championship Game One for the Ages
January 12, 2018
The Alabama Crimson Tide won their fifth National Championship in 9 years on Monday, the shortest span to win five championships in the history a program.
Georgia lead 13-0 at halftime, and the Alabama offense struggled, gaining only 94 yards in the entire first half.
Alabama then benched starting sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts, who had a record of 25-2 as a starter. True freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, led Bama to four scoring drives in the second half, with none bigger than a seven yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Calvin Ridley on a fourth and four to tie the game at 20-20.
Alabama then stopped Georgia on defense and got the ball back with 2:55 left in the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide then drove 48 yards and had the ball on the 17 yard line with three seconds left. Senior Kicker Andy Pappanastos attempted a 36-yard field goal and it missed wide left with no time remaining, sending the game into overtime.
Alabama’s defense came out fired up and held Georgia to a 51-yard field goal attempt, which made the score 23-20, with the Tide needing to kick a field goal to send to a second overtime, or a touchdown to win the game.
Tagovailoa was sacked for a 15-yard loss on first down, making it second and 25 from the 41. Tagoviloa then dropped back and sent a bullet to left side of the field, hitting freshman receiver DeVonta Smith for a 41-yard touchdown pass to give Bama a 26-23 win, and their second CFP National Championship.
Senior Duncan Sanders loved the game.
“It looked like Georgia was in control for the most of the game, but Bama came back and won, and ending a National Championship in OT on a ‘walk-off’ touchdown, made it one of the most exciting championship games,” Sanders said.
Sophomore Sammy Muth was impressed by the move to put Tagovailoa in.
“It was the gutsiest move I have ever seen. Going to a quarterback who hadn’t played in a game this big, or really at all, all year, was crazy,” Muth said “Hurts wasn’t very effective though, so they had to get something going. I thought Saban was insane for switching them, but I guess not because it worked out.”
Saban will have a tough time deciding who their quarterback will be next year, but for now, they can just celebrate being National Champions.