HOW GEORGIA WON A NATIONAL TITLE: Georgia beats Alabama 33-18 to win first title since 1980

INDIANAPOLIS — The Georgia Bulldogs are national champions!

Georgia beat Alabama 33-18 in the College Football National Championship game on Monday night to win the school’s first national title since 1980.

Stetson Bennett completed 17 of 26 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Kelee Ringo returned an interception 79 yards in the fourth quarter to seal it.

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11:56 p.m.

The Georgia Bulldogs are national champions! Nolan Smith sacks Bryce Young on the final play of the National Championship game and the Dawgs are the national champs! Georgia wins 33-18.

11:45 p.m.

It’s all over! Kelee Ringo intercepts Bryce Young and returns it 79 yards for the touchdown. Georgia takes the 33-18 lead with under a minute to play.

11:39 p.m.

Touchdown Georgia! Bennett hits Brock Bowers for a 15 yard touchdown. Georgia takes the 26-18 lead with 3:33 to play.

11:19 p.m.

What a drive! The Bulldogs respond with a 75 yard touchdown drive. Bennett hit Jemaine Burton for 18 yards, Kenny McIntosh for 10 yards and capped the drive with a 40 yard touchdown to Adonai Mitchell. The two-point attempt was no good. Bulldogs lead 19-18 with eight minutes to go.

11:07 p.m.

Was it a fumble? On a controversial call, Stetson Bennett is ruled as having fumbled the ball on an attempted pass. Alabama recovers in the red zone. Bryce Young hits Cameron Latu for the touchdown a couple of plays later. Alabama attempts the two-point conversion, but Nolan Smith prevents Young from scoring. Alabama leads 18-13.

10:57 p.m.

Georgia plays some tough defense at the goal line, prevents Alabama from scoring the touchdown. Alabama settles for the field goal. Georgia leads 13-12.

10:50 p.m.

Georgia starts the fourth quarter of the College Football National Championship Game with a 13-9 lead.

10:46 p.m.

Taking over after the blocked field goal, James Cook sprints 67 yards down to the Alabama 13 yard line. Zamar White caps the drive with a 1-yard touchdown and Georgia has its first lead of the game. Georgia leads 13-9.

10:39 p.m.

Jalen Carter blocks the Alabama field goal attempt to keep the Alabama lead at three. Georgia takes over trailing 9-6 in the third quarter.

10:20 p.m.

Georgia’s Christopher Smith intercepts Bryce Young, but Georgia’s offense follows with a three and out. It was Young’s sixth interception of the season.

9:45 p.m.

At the half, Alabama leads Georgia 9-6.

Coach Nick Saban told ESPN at halftime that young receivers would have to step up.

“They’ve got talent. So they’ve got to play with competitive character and have a chance to make some plays. They’re capable,” Saban said. “They don’t have the experience, but they’re going to get it tonight.”

Georgia coach Kirby Smart says his team needs to avoid mistakes on offense.

“We’ve got to settle down,” he said. “We haven’t had probably one drive where we didn’t have negative yards starting where we had to back up.”

9:36 p.m.

Jack Podlesney kicks the 49 yard field to bring Georgia back with three. Alabama leads 9-6 in the second.

9:25 p.m.

Alabama kicks another field goal to take a 9-3 lead in the second quarter.

9:15 p.m.

Alabama’s Will Reichard kicks a 45 yard field goal to put Alabama back on top. The Crimson Tide leads 6-3 in the second quarter. On the drive, Alabama receiver Jameson Williams was injured on a 40 yard reception.

9:05 p.m.

Georgia drives 92 yards with a Stetson Bennett to George Pickens 52 yard pass being the key play. Jack Podlesney kicks the 24 yard field goal as Georgia ties the game at 3-3.

8:58 p.m.

Alabama leads Georgia 3-0 in the National Championship Game at the end of the first quarter, but the Bulldogs have the ball at the Alabama 23 yard line to start the second quarter.

8:35 p.m.

Georgia goes three and out on its first series, including a Christian Harris sack of Stetson Bennett of UGA’s first offensive play of the game.

8:20 p.m.

The Bulldogs thought they had an early 7-0 lead but a turnover was overturned. Alabama kicks a field goal, takes 3-0 lead.

8:00 p.m.

Here come the Dawgs!

7:45 p.m.

Lee Corso just made his prediction...Go Dawgs!

7:30 p.m.

Will UGA take this home tonight?

7:00 p.m.

WSB-TV’s special coverage of the Road 2 The Championship starts RIGHT NOW on Channel 2.

6:40 p.m.

Alabama quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young is on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium.

6:10 p.m.

The UGA Spike Squad is ready for the Dawgs to win the Natty!

RELATED: Spike Squad makes sign, gets 26 members to National Championship Game.

6:00 p.m.

Coach Kirby Smart has arrived!

5:35 p.m.

Fans have lined up outside the UGA team hotel awaiting the Bulldogs to board the buses and head to the stadium for tonight’s game for the National Championship.

5:00 p.m.

The locker room is set for the Georgia Bulldogs. It’s almost time to welcome the Dawgs.

3:57 p.m.

News crews from all over the country are here for the biggest game of the season.

3:21 p.m.

The Dawgs haven’t arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium yet but when they do, look at the view they will have.

2:50 p.m.

Channel 2 will air our “Road 2 the Championship” special starting at 7 p.m. on Channel 2. The program will feature interviews with players’ family, former Bulldog QB Aaron Murray and more.

Channel 2′s Zach Klein and Alison Mastrangelo are going over the final touches for our live show.

Jan. 9

“For the glory of ‘ol Georgia, let the Bulldawg Nation rise!”

Former Georgia running back Terrell Davis voices “The Vision: 2022 National Championship Trailer.”

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