Stetson Bennett delivered the biggest throws of his storybook career and Georgia's defense sealed the sweetest victory in program history, vanquishing rival Alabama 33-18 in the College Football Playoff title Monday for its first national title in 41 years.
Bennett connected with Adonai Mitchell on a 40-yard touchdown to give No. 3 Georgia a 19-18 lead with 8:09 left and then hooked up with Brock Bowers for a 15-yard TD on a screen to put the Bulldogs up with with 3:33 left.
The final blow came from the defense. Kelee Ringo intercepted an underthrown deep ball down the sideline by Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young. Instead of going down with a little over a minute left, Ringo took off and behind a convoy of blockers went 79 yards for a touchdown that set off a wild celebration by the Georgia fans who packed Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Bulldogs hadn't won a national title since freshman Herschel Walker led them there in 1980. If simply snapping the drought wasn't good enough, doing against No. 1 Alabama (13-12) had to make it feel even better.
The Tide came into the game looking to go back-to-back as national champs for the second time under coach Nick Saban -- and make it title No. 7 for Alabama in the last 13 seasons, and its 13th overall in college football's poll era (1936-present), more than any other school.
See game highlights:
Photos: Alabama v. Georgia football championship 2022
Georgia players are introduced before the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama's Chris Herren Jr. is stopped by Georgia's Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Georgia's Stetson Bennett recovers his own fumble during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Alabama's Jameson Williams is stopped during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Georgia's George Pickens catches a pass in front of Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Georgia's Stetson Bennett thorws a pass during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Georgia place kicker Jack Podlesny makes a field goal during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Georgia's Jermaine Burton gets past Alabama's Brian Branch during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama's Christian Harris stops Georgia's Brock Bowers during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Alabama's Jameson Williams injures his knee after a catch during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Georgia's Stetson Bennett gets away from Alabama's Christian Harris during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The field at at Lucas Oil Stadium during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game between Alabama and Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Georgia's Nakobe Dean breaks up a pass intended for Alabama's Cameron Latu during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Alabama's Cameron Latu is congratulated by Brian Robinson Jr. after a long reception during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Alabama's Khyree Jackson breaks up a pass intended for Georgia's Adonai Mitchell during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Georgia's Devonte Wyatt hits Alabama's Bryce Young as he throws during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama's Khyree Jackson tries to stop Georgia's Adonai Mitchell during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama's Bryce Young takes a snap during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Georgia's Nolan Smith stops Alabama's Agiye Hall during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Alabama's Agiye Hall breaks away during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michael Jacoppo, at the University of Georgia's coliseum in Athens, Ga., reacts during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship game against Alabama, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Alabama's Brian Robinson Jr. runs for a first down past Georgia's Quay Walker during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama's Trey Sanders tries to get past Georgia's Quay Walker during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Alabama place kicker Will Reichard has a field goal attempt blocked during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Georgia's Kelee Ringo stops Alabama's Traeshon Holden during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Fans at the University of Georgia's coliseum in Athens, Ga., celebrate a Georgia touchdown during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship game against Alabama, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart reacts during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Fans at the University of Georgia's coliseum in Athens, Ga., react to the call of a Georgia fumble during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff championship game against Alabama, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Alabama's Brian Robinson Jr. runs for a first down past Georgia's Quay Walker during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia's Adonai Mitchel catches a touchdown pass over Alabama's Khyree Jackson during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Georgia's Kenny McIntosh catches a pass with Alabama's Brian Branch defending during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia's Adonai Mitchel reacts after catching a touchdown pass over Alabama's Khyree Jackson during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Georgia's Brock Bowers celebrates his touchdown with teammate Justin Shaffer (54) during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Georgia's Brock Bowers breaks into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia's Brock Bowers is congratulated after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia players celebrate after the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia won 33-18. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
