College Football

CFP National Championship: Georgia topples Alabama

Updated Jan. 11, 2022 4:09 a.m. ET

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It's time to add another name in the record books.

Georgia topped SEC foe Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, winning 33-18. 

It's the Bulldogs' first national title in 41 years and the third straight year an SEC team won the national title.

Here are the top moments from Monday's action.

No. 3 Georgia 33, No. 1 Alabama 18

Stars in the building!

It was a star-studded event at Lucas Oil Stadium ahead of kickoff.

What could have been

Georgia got off to a red-hot start on defense, and the Bulldogs were this close to jumping out to an early lead.

What appeared to be a strip-sack on Bryce Young that was returned to the house was deemed an incomplete pass — as opposed to a fumble — after review showed that Young's hand was moving forward.

'Bama takes first lead

Alabama's opening possession — a hefty 14-play drive — ended in a field goal and a 3-0 lead for the Tide.

Dawgs get shaky start

The Bulldogs went three-and-out on their first drive and narrowly avoided a turnover from Stetson Bennett.

Stuffed!

Alabama wasn't able to get anything going on its ensuing drive, as the Georgia defense was relentless and forced the Crimson Tide to punt it away once again. 

Two words: George Pickens

With momentum on its side, Georgia drove 87 yards and knotted things up with a field goal early in the second with lots of help from junior wideout Pickens.

Tide loses star player

After a dazzling 40-yard pickup, misfortune struck Alabama when star receiver Jameson Williams went out with an apparent non-contact knee injury. He was helped off the field after the play before walking to the locker room under his own power for further evaluation. 

He would not return.

Alabama finished that drive with a field goal to take a 6-3 lead with 11:13 left in the first half.

So close, yet so far away

On the ensuing drive, Alabama's Slade Bolden fumbled, then recovered the Bulldogs' punt. The Tide were able to turn things around after the miscue, as tight end Cameron Latu broke off for a monster 61-yard gain to set Alabama up for another field goal. 

The Tide took a 9-3 lead midway through the second after being denied the end zone yet again.

'Bama D steps up

The Bulldogs responded by nailing a 49-yarder to keep things close at 9-6 heading into halftime, with the Alabama defense continuing to put pressure on Bennett and keep Georgia out of the red zone.

Breaking ankles!

The Tide got one more chance to put something together before the break, but despite moving the sticks, Alabama wasn't able to finish off the drive, and it remained a three-point game heading into the second half.

Shifty!

Georgia started the third quarter with a spark, as Zamir White popped off back-to-back double-digit rushes.

Young's first big mistake

Georgia caught a break on the following drive when Young threw an interception on Alabama's own side of the field. Just like that, the Bulldogs got the ball back in plus-yardage, but luckily for the Tide, Georgia wasn't able to capitalize on the turnover. 

Blocked!

Alabama took 7:45 off the clock and attempted to cap off a 17-play, 68-yard drive with a field goal, but it was blocked by the Georgia defense — courtesy of Jalen Carter — and it remained a one-possession game. 

Cookin' with fire!

Then, Georgia took its first lead of the night when James Cook broke off for a 67-yard run, which set up a short TD run from White to give the Bulldogs a 13-9 edge heading into the final frame. 

Georgia is 57-5 under Kirby Smart when leading after three quarters.

One-point game

Alabama charged all the way down to Georgia's 3-yard line but wasn't able to punch it in, and the Tide settled for another field goal to make it a one-point game at 13-12. 

Tide turns

Alabama was right back in it, as Bennett was sacked by for a loss of 11 yards and — arguably — fumbled in the process. 

The short field put Alabama right back in the red zone, and Latu reeled in a short pass from Young to put the Tide up 18-13 early in the fourth after the two-point conversion attempt failed.

Bombs away!

Alabama's lead didn't last long, as Bennett dropped a dazzling 40-yard dime to Adonai Mitchell to put the Bulldogs back in the lead, 19-18, midway through the frame. 

Back-to-back!

On Georgia's next drive, Bennett hit Brock Bowers for a 15-yard TD to extend the Bulldogs' lead. 

That's all folks!

The Bulldogs sealed the deal when Kelee Ringo picked off Young and returned the ball 79 yards for a TD. 

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College Football

Georgia Bulldogs

Alabama Crimson Tide

CFB - CFP National Championship - 01/11/2022

Stetson Bennett

Jameson Williams

George Pickens

Cameron Latu

Agiye Hall

Jalen Carter

Adonai Mitchell

James Cook

Zamir White

Brock Bowers

Kelee Ringo