University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban congratulated University of Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart on Monday night after the Georgia Bulldogs dominated Alabama Crimson Tide in the second half on the national championship game, especially in the fourth quarter.
“You guys kicked our a*s in the fourth quarter,” Saban told Smart after the game. “God bless you, man.”
Kirby Smart and Nick Saban.
All class 🤝 pic.twitter.com/LJBibd3TOt
— ESPN (@espn) January 11, 2022
Georgia’s 33-18 win over Alabama was it’s first national championship win since 1980 and served as revenge after losing 41-24 to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.
The Daily Wire’s Joe Morgan reported:
Late in the third quarter in Indianapolis, Georgia’s offense hadn’t done a thing. 188 yards and two field goals was all they had managed as Alabama held a 9-6 lead. As the Crimson Tide lined up for another field goal attempt, Georgia needed a spark, and it was the defense that carried them all year long that gave it to them.
Jalen Carter blocked Will Reichard’s 48-yard field goal attempt, the third blocked field goal of the year for Georgia. On the very next play, Georgia running back James Cook broke free for a 67-yards, setting up the first touchdown of the game by either team. Zamir White punched it in from a yard out, giving Georgia their first lead of the game.
Following a Crimson Tide field goal, it was Alabama’s turn to make a play defensively. On third-and-8 from the Georgia 27-yard line, Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett attempted to throw the ball away as he was being taken down for a sack. Referees ruled it a fumble on the field, with the ball recovered by Alabama at the Georgia 16-yard line. The play was reviewed, with the call on the field standing as called.
Alabama quickly took back the lead, scoring their first touchdown of the game, a three-yard touchdown from Bryce Young to Cameron Latu. But the fun was just getting started. Georgia’s offense responded immediately, taking a 19-18 lead on a 40-yard touchdown from Bennett to wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
A 15-yard touchdown pass to Brock Bowers put Georgia up 26-18, and then it was time for the best defense in the country to put their stamp on the season. The Heisman trophy winner — without injured wide receivers Jameson Williams and John Metchie — finally made a mistake, culminating in a 79-yard interception return for a touchdown by Kelee Ringo.
“This is a special moment for the University of Georgia, special moment for this team,” Smart said during post game interviews. “I’m proud of the University of Georgia, the support we get there, lot of credit to Alabama.”
Smart said that he hopes it does not take 41 years for Georgia to win its next national championship game.
“Look, I’m extremely proud of this team,” Saban told ESPN after the game. “This team won the SEC Championship, beat Georgia to do it, obviously they beat us today.”
Saban lamented the way that his team played in the fourth quarter.