2022 National Championship Game Recap

Story posted January 13, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Nolan Wick

The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 NCAA National Championship, 33-18.

It is a statement win for a Georgia team that had struggled against Alabama for years, including losses in this season’s SEC Championship and back in the 2018 National Championship when the Crimson Tide rallied from behind to break Georgia hearts in overtime. It was a rollercoaster in Indianapolis, so here’s how it happened.

The game started with an overturned call that could have possibly given Georgia a big momentum boost. Georgia’s defense strip-sacked Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and appeared to run it back for a touchdown, but the play was called back because it was ruled an incomplete pass.

Alabama marched down the field and kicked a field goal, opening up what turned out to be an unusual scoring sequence in the first half. That field goal was the only score in the opening quarter. Alabama looked more comfortable and ready than Georgia did, particularly defensively.

The second quarter was slightly more interesting. Georgia’s offense flipped the switch and immediately got into the red zone to open the quarter. Alabama’s defense bent but did not break, holding the Bulldogs to a field goal. More field goals were scored in the quarter, and the score was 9-6 heading into halftime.

Oddly enough, neither team was able to find the endzone. It was a defensive showdown, which is unsurprising because of how dominant Georgia’s had been yet surprising as Alabama was led by Heisman winner Bryce Young. Alabama, however, suffered a huge loss as wideout Jameson Williams went down with an injury during the half and did not return.

Georgia appeared to be the better team in the third quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the game. The defense that college football feared throughout the season was in full effect, with an interception and a blocked field goal.

Quarterback Stetson Bennett IV and running back Zamir White responded in turn with the Georgia offense, helping to pound the ball through the Alabama defense for the game’s first touchdown. Georgia took the lead for the first time, with a score of 13-9.

The final quarter could not have been more of a nail-biter. Alabama quickly kicked a field goal to make the score 13-12. Then, a controversial call similar to the one at the beginning of the game gave Alabama the ball deep in Georgia territory, setting the Crimson Tide up for a touchdown that gave them an 18-13 lead.

But wait, Georgia wasn’t leaving Indiana without an answer, as the Bulldogs struck back with a touchdown with less than four minutes remaining. Alabama tried to answer, but threw a gut-wrenching pick six which basically ruined its hopes of a comeback. That was the final straw, as the Georgia Bulldogs won their first title in the playoff era, 33-18 in Indianapolis.

 

Nolan Wick is a first-year majoring in print and digital journalism. To contact him, email nhw5046@psu.edu.