ATLANTA (AP) — Alabama’s walk-off touchdown for its latest championship win will certainly dominate much of college football’s offseason. It took several dramatic, potentially defining moments to set up what became the Crimson Tide’s 26-23 overtime victory against Georgia at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday night.
Here are a few of the many memorable plays:
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SONY’S TIP-TOE DOWN THE SIDELINES
Georgia senior running back Sony Michel played strongly, gaining 98 yards and averaging seven yards per rush as the Bulldogs built a 20-7 lead midway through the third quarter. In the first quarter, the nimble Michel took the ball down the right sideline, coming oh-so-close to out of bounds but maintaining his balance for a 26-yard run on the Bulldogs first scoring drive. Four plays later, Rodrigo Blankenship hit the first of his three field goals to put Georgia up 3-0.
FROMM TO HARDMAN
After a scoreless first half, Alabama regained momentum in the third quarter with its first touchdown and kickoff coverage pinning Georgia at its 7 yard line. On their 20 three plays later, Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm launched a beautiful, arching pass that Mecole Hardman run under without breaking stride for a dramatic, 80-yard touchdown to go up 20-7 and dramatically answer Alabama’s score.
RIDLEY’S MOMENT
Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley was overshadowed much of this game by his younger brother, Georgia sophomore Ryan Ridley. Facing fourth-and-4 with less than four minutes left, the Crimson Tide went to their Ridley for the tying touchdown. He slid between three Georgia defenders as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa rolled left and fired a dart Ridley hauled in with 3:49 left to tie things at 20.
UNTIMELY MISS
Alabama forced a quick three-and-out from Georgia after Ridley’s score and, behind Tagovailoa’s steady hand, drove 48 yards to the Bulldogs 17. Coach Nick Saban whittled the clock down to three seconds and called out kicker Andy Pappanastos for a 36-yard walk-off field goal try. Pappanastos shanked the ball straight left and Alabama’s players, atop benches and equipment boxes poised for celebration, had to regroup for overtime.
BLANKENSHIP’S KICK
Rodrigo Blankenship, the Georgia kicker who’s gained attention as much for the glasses he wears on the field as for his kicks, came up clutch for the Bulldogs to start overtime. Blankenship made a Rose Bowl-record 55 yarder in Georgia’s 54-48 OT win over Oklahoma last weekend. This time, he temporarily bailed the Bulldogs out of a jam with a 51-yarder to start overtime after Alabama sacked Fromm for a 13-yard loss that looked like it might leave them without points. Blankenship gave Georgia a solid start and was in line to be the hero.
TUA’S TIME
Alabama freshman backup Tua Tagovailoa wasn’t even supposed to play, let alone throw final, game-ending touchdown pass. It looked less likely when defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter and linebacker Davin Bellamy sacked Tagovailoa for a 16-yard loss that seemed to end the Crimson Tide’s chances. That is, until Tagovailoa connected for a 41-yard scoring strike to an open DeVonta Smith as Alabama won its fifth national championship since 2009.
