The Georgia Bulldogs have waited 41 years, but the wait will have been worth it. With a 33-18 victory over the mighty Crimson Tide of Alabama, the program signed its first national college championship triumph since the 1980 season.
Georgia’s victory, in a much tighter match than the final score indicates, is shocking for several reasons. Starting with quarterback Stetson Bennett, a walk-on who did not receive a scholarship to enlist with the University of Georgia.
The hub, who was not even scheduled to start the season given the presence of JT Daniels, completed 17 of his 26 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Not bad at all for the most important game of his life!
Bennett made a controversial fumble with 10 minutes remaining, which led to an 18-13 touchdown in favor of Alabama. He never flinched afterward as he completed his next four passes for 83 yards with his two touchdowns, including a perfect 40-yard bomb to Adonai Mitchell, just four games after the critical fumble that looked like a incomplete pass. No complaint, no excuse, no crisis, only coolness!
If anyone had dared to predict six months ago that a curvy quarterback like Bennett would triumph under the biggest spotlight there is in a duel against the Crimson Tide machine, guided by the winner of the Heisman Trophy in Bryce Young, he probably would’ve been stoned in the public square.
Good time
This victory was also that of one of the finest defensive units that has been assembled in recent years. A defense that had three sacks, seven tackles for loss and two interceptions. The interception that nailed the Crimson Tide coffin was brought back to the end zone for the fatal touchdown by Kalee Ringo, whose mother is fighting cancer.
At this point, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young was trying to orchestrate a push for his own, behind by 26-18, and was in Georgia territory at the 44-line. imagine a moment more touching than the one that the young cornerback then offered.
For Georgia’s defense, this victory is synonymous with redemption, after the poor performance against the same enemy, in December, in the final of the SEC conference. All year long, that steadfast defense didn’t even give 10 points per game and suddenly, doubt set in. By playing this way yesterday with several players (Jordan Davis, Trevon Walker and Nakobe Dean among others) who will quickly find takers in the NFL draft, this defense has confirmed its place among the most dominant of its time.
Unlike the first game, Young found himself under pressure many times and despite his 369 yards, he threw two interceptions.
Smart enjoys his revenge
Of course, this victory is also that of head coach Kirby Smart, against the almighty Nick Saban, who won seven national championships.
Smart was on Saban’s coaching staff for eight seasons before standing on his own feet since 2015 in Georgia. Despite the success of the program he set up, the long-awaited big victory against Alabama had always eluded him until the long-awaited duel on Monday. Four times, three times in the conference finals and once at the 2017 national championship, Smart has bitten the dust.
Smart, like Georgia’s many proven supporters, can finally say mission accomplished.
Hard blow
On the Alabama side, the loss of wide receiver Jameson Williams clearly changed the course of the game. During the last duel against Georgia, he had had a blast. On a 40-yard catch in midfield, the all-star fell to the ground without contact, raising fears of the worst for his knee.
Already without John Metchie, Young subsequently struggled to move the ball with ease, although he joined seven other receivers. The order was getting very heavy.
One can only hope that this injury doesn’t hurt Williams’ status for the draft in April too much. Before the bad news, he was clearly identified as a first-round pick. Depending on the exact nature of his injury, this will be a case to follow.
Regardless, the Bulldogs certainly didn’t steal their triumph. It’s a great moment that they fully deserve to savor.
As for Young and the Crimson Tide, they’ll be back in full force next year, as always. These two programs might as well intersect for the championship. And we couldn’t ask for better than to relive such a good show.