Georgia uses big fourth quarter to win National Championship

Brandon Dyer, Sports Editor & Podcast Host

The Georgia Bulldogs pulled off a 33-18 victory against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship. The Bulldog’s last championship victory was in 1980 against Notre Dame.

The first three quarters of the 2022 National Championship proved to be a defensive contest with neither team able to pull away.

Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett had been ridiculed by some fans all season about his ability to play the position, with some even going as far as to say that he should be benched for backup JT Daniels.

Despite the criticism, Bennett proved in the fourth quarter why Kirby Smart had put his trust in him all season with his two late-game touchdown passes.

It took a while for the running game for Georgia to pick up, but eventually running back James Cook was able to break free on a 67-yard run late in the third quarter that nearly resulted in a touchdown for the Bulldogs. 

After that, the running game seemed to have no problem the rest of the night.

With the score sitting at 13-9 in favor of the Bulldogs at the start of the fourth quarter, the Crimson Tide knew they had to pull it together and make a comeback.

A field goal and a three-yard touchdown pass from Heisman winner Bryce Young put the Crimson Tide up 18-13 with ten minutes remaining in the game.

What happened next was all Georgia, as they completely took over the game. 

It started with a drive that lasted two minutes and took all of four plays before Bennett found Adonai Mitchell in the end zone for a 40-yard touchdown pass to take a 19-18 lead after a missed two-point conversion.

The ensuing drive by the Crimson Tide would be over quick, going three-and-out and giving the ball right back to the Bulldogs.

Seven plays later, Bennett threw his second touchdown pass of the game, this time connecting with tight end Brock Bowers from 15 yards out. The score would put the Bulldogs up 26-18 with three-and-a-half minutes left in the game.

The Crimson Tide tried to move the ball enough to get it in the endzone to tie the game, but then Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo intercepted a pass deep in Alabama territory and ran it into the endzone to give the Bulldogs the 33-18 lead that ultimately sealed the deal.

All that was left for the Bulldogs to do is watch the final 54 seconds tick off the clock.

Eight plays later, the clock hit all zeros and the Bulldogs stormed the field to celebrate with their teammates as they were able to raise the National Championship trophy for the first time in 41 years.

This was a season to remember for the Bulldogs and finishing it off with a National Championship win against Alabama made the taste of victory even sweeter.