In stunning loss, UGA falls to Alabama in National Championship, 26-23

ATLANTA — Georgia Bulldogs fans are recovering from a roller coaster ride of a football game, which ended in a loss to the University of Alabama for the National Championship.

Tua Tagovailoa threw a 41-yard touchdown to DeVonta Smith to give No. 4 Alabama a 26-23 overtime victory against No. 3 Georgia to win the College Football Playoff National Championship Monday night.

We will have Team 2 Coverage of the game on Channel 2 Action News at Noon. 

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Tagovailoa entered the game at halftime, replacing a struggling Jalen Hurts, and threw three touchdown passes, including the game-ender to give the Crimson Tide its fifth national championship since 2009 under coach Nick Saban.

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After Alabama kicker Andy Pappanastos missed a 37-yard field goal that would have won it for the Tide (13-1) in the final seconds of regulation, Georgia (13-2) took the lead with a 51-yard field goal from Rodrigo Blankenship in overtime.

Tagovailoa took a terrible sack on Alabama's first play of overtime, losing 16 yards. On the next play he found Smith, another freshman, streaking down the sideline and hit him in stride for the national championship.

This game will be remembered for Saban's decision to change quarterbacks trailing 13-0.

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"I just thought we had to throw the ball, and I felt he could do it better, and he did," Saban said. "He did a good job, made some plays in the passing game. Just a great win. I'm so happy for Alabama fans. Great for our players. Unbelievable."

Saban now has six major poll national championships, including one at LSU, matching the record set by the man who led Alabama's last dynasty, coach Paul Bear Bryant.

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This one was nothing like the others.

The all-Southeastern Conference matchup was all Georgia in the first half before Saban pulled Hurts and went with the five-star recruit from Hawaii to start the second half.

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The Tide trailed 13-0 at halftime and 20-7 in the third quarter after Georgia's freshman quarterback, Jake Fromm, hit Mecole Hardman for an 80-yard touchdown pass that had the Georgia fans feeling good about ending a national title drought that dates back to 1980.

Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein provided minute-by-minute updates from the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium below:

Overtime: 

Bama comes back with a touchdown, winning National Championship 26-23

Georgia makes field goal. Georgia up 23-20

Bama goes for a field goal and misses, game goes into overtime, tied 20-20

2:55 4th Quarter

UGA forced to kick ball, Bama retains possession at their own 35.

3:49 4th Quarter

Bama makes a touchdown, score extra point. Score tied.

3:56 4th Quarter

Bama advances the ball to 4th and 4. Timeout called

6:46 4th Quarter

Damian Harris gets the ball to the 34 yrd line.

9:24 4th Quarter

Bama makes field goal, making score 20-13

9:28 4th Quarter

After what was thought to be an interception, Alabama will retain possession and attempt the FG.

9:34 4th Quarter

Alabama RB Najee Harris with a HUGE run for the Crimson Tide setting them up in the red zone 3rd and 8.

End of 3rd quarter

Georgia has the ball on their own 13.

5:15 3rd quarter

After a Jake Fromm interception, Alabama kicks a FG. The Dawgs now lead 20-10.

6:32 34d quarter

Deandre Baker intercepts the Alabama pass and Georgia takes over on the Bama 39.

6:52 3rd quarter

Fromm goes deep to Hardman and the Dawgs are back in front by 13!

8:52 3rd quarter

Tagovailoa takes the Tide right down the field and into the endzone. Georgia leads 13-7.

13:03 3rd quarter

Alabama goes to its backup quarterback to start the 2nd half and goes 3-and-out. Georgia takes over on their own 36.

Start of 3rd Quarter

Alabama starts with the ball.

Halftime

Georgia leads 13-0 at the half. Alabama will receive the second half kick-off.

0:06 2nd quarter

Hardman takes it in from 1 yard out and the Dawgs lead 13-0.

2:14 2nd quarter

Georgia punts and Alabama takes over at their own 25. Just over 2 minutes remaining the half.

7:48 2nd quarter

Blankenship hits from 27 yards out and Georgia leads 6-0.

8:59 2nd quarter

The Dawgs are driving again after picking up another 3rd and long. 1st and Goal from the Alabama 10.

14:14 2nd quarter

Rodrigo Blankenship cashes in from 41 yards out and the Dawgs lead 3-0.

End of 1st quarter

Georgia and Alabama are scoreless after the 1st quarter.

1:24 1st quarter

Georgia converts a 3rd and 20 and has the ball at the Alabama 26.

9:04 1st quarter

UGA quickly goes 3-and-out. The Dawgs have yet to run the football.

9:54 1st quarter

Alabama can't cash in on the turnover as they miss the 40-yard FG attempt. Game still scoreless and Georgia takes over on the 22.

13:38 1st quarter

Fromm goes deep on 3rd and long and is intercepted. Alabama takes over on their own 36.

Start of game

Georgia will receive the opening kickoff.

8:11 p.m.

President Donald Trump was on the field during the National Anthem.

8:08 p.m.

Both teams have entered the field.

6:56 p.m.

President Donald Trump has arrived at the venue.

6:41 p.m.

Fans are starting to fill up the Mercedes-Benz Stadium

5:08 p.m.

The Georgia Redcoat Marching Band is in the house!

3:45 p.m.

There are large crowds already gathering outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium

3 p.m.

Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein is getting ready for Channel 2 Action News at 4, 5 and 6.

2:15 p.m.

We're now just 6 hours until kick-off and the excitement is building!

12:12 p.m.

Final field preparations appear to be ongoing. This place will be rocking in just a few hours.

10:50 a.m.

The Georgia Bulldogs will arrive at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 5:45 p.m.

12:01 a.m.

It's officially gameday!

Cox Media Group