Georgia beats Alabama for College Football Playoff title

INDIANAPOLIS — Stetson Bennett delivered the biggest throws of his storybook career and Georgia’s defense sealed the sweetest victory in program history, vanquishing rival Alabama, 33-18, in the College Football Playoff championship Monday for its first national title in 41 years.

Bennett, a former walk-on, connected with Adonai Mitchell on a 40-yard touchdown to give No. 3 Georgia a 19-18 lead with 8 minutes, 9 seconds left and then hooked up with Brock Bowers for a 15-yard TD on a screen to put the Bulldogs up with 3:33 remaining.

Bennett completed 17 of 26 passes for 224 yards against the Crimson Tide.

The final blow came from the defense. Kelee Ringo intercepted an underthrown deep ball down the sideline by Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young. Instead of going down with a little over a minute left, Ringo took off and behind a convoy of blockers went 79 yards for a touchdown that set off a wild celebration by the Georgia fans who packed Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Bulldogs hadn’t won a national title since freshman Herschel Walker led them there in 1980. Vince Dooley, the 89-year-old coach of that team, attended the game.

If simply snapping the drought wasn’t good enough, doing so against No. 1 Alabama had to make it feel even better.

Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide had won seven straight against the Bulldogs, including the last four against Georgia coach Kirby Smart, Saban’s longtime assistant.

The Bulldogs lost to Alabama, 41-24, in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 4.

Bennett’s lost fumble set up an Alabama touchdown for an 18-13 lead with about 10 minutes remaining. Georgia dominated the remainder of the game.

Young’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Latu gave the Crimson Tide an 18-13 lead with 10:14. Young was tackled behind the line on a two-point attempt.

The score was set up when Bennett lost the ball while Christian Harris was dragging him to the turf. Bennett was trying to throw the ball, but it appeared to come out before his arm moved forward and it was ruled a fumble on the field. Replay upheld the call.

Alabama safety Brian Branch almost casually collected the ball as he was headed out of bounds, getting one foot in bounds.

A 67-year-old run by James Cook set up Zamir White’s 1-yard score that put the Bulldogs ahead, 13-9, with 1:20 left in the third quarter.

Before White found the end zone, the Southeastern Conference rivals had combined for five field goals.

Alabama receiver Jameson Williams’ national championship game ended early.

The All-American, a transfer from Ohio State, returned to the sideline in street clothes midway through the third quarter. Williams appeared to hurt his left knee in the first half at the end of a 40-yard catch. It was a non-contact injury. He had four catches for 65 yards.

Alabama spread the ball around without Williams, with eight players catching passes. The Tide also used running back Brian Robinson Jr. more after Williams was hurt.