Another fantastic season of college football is in the books.
The year was action-packed from week one, but all good things must come to an end.
Here’s a look at the thrilling conclusion to an exciting season of college football.
ALABAMA 26 GEORGIA 23
In arguably the most spectacular finish in college football championship game history, the Alabama Crimson Tide won on the last play of the game in overtime.
The win marked Saban’s fifth championship with Alabama and sixth overall as a head coach.
The Bulldogs stumbled out the gate, throwing an interception on the third play of the game. Bama drove down the field, but missed a chip-shot field goal, an omen of things to come.
Georgia slowly took control of the game and built up a 13-0 lead going into the half. The way they did it—running downhill and playing smothering defense—was particularly surprising because almost nobody has been able to out-physical Alabama in the Nick Saban era.
Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts struggled mightily, and was replaced at the beginning of the second half by highly-touted true freshman Tua Tagovailoa.
Georgia had a chance to put a vice grip on the game with a blocked punt, but a dubious call gave them new life:
Trey Wallace on Twitter
Referees just blew that offside call that resulted in Blocked Punt. #CFPNationalChampionship #GoDawgs #RollTide https://t.co/PAog4eXJVX
Tagovailoa resuscitated the Alabama offense, and they crept back into the game. They chipped away at the 13-point lead and eventually drew even at 20 late in the 4th quarter on a clutch 4th down touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to soon-to-be NFL first round draft pick Calvin Ridley.
Georgia’s offense tightened and quickly went three-and-out, giving the ball back to Alabama with a chance to win the game in regulation.
The Crimson Tide drove down the field to set up another short field goal for kicker Andy Pappanastos with mere seconds left. Then this happened:
Bleacher Preacher / Sports on Twitter
Andy Pappanastos, you are NOT Rodrigo Blankenship! https://t.co/J63Yrpxvrr
Georgia was beginning to look like a team of destiny.
The Bulldogs received the ball first in overtime, and true freshman quarterback Jake Fromm takes a disastrous 16-yard sack on 3rd down, setting up a 51-yard field goal.
But Rodrigo Blankenship bailed out his team by nailing the long kick.
The Bulldogs were one stop away from winning their first championship since the early ‘80s. Saban was on the brink of losing to one of his former assistants for the first time (he was 11-0 against them coming into the game).
It looked even bleaker for the Tide after Tagovailoa took a horrific 16-yard sack on 1st down.
Then on 2nd & 26, Alabama made a play that will go down in college football lore:
SEC Network on Twitter
WHAT. A. GAME. Tua Tagovailoa to DeVonta Smith … BALLGAME!!! @AlabamaFTBL WINS THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!! https://t.co/WxmHdRazCQ