The Bulldogs kept constant pressure on Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and forced two interceptions, the second one returned 79 yards for a touchdown by safety Kelee Ringo.
Ringo's Pick Six came on third and 10 with :54 seconds to play, icing Georgia's first national title in 41 years.
The Dawgs sacked Young four times and hurried him throughout. They held Tide tailback Brian Robinson, who gashed Cincinnati for 204 yards on 26 carries in the semi-final, to 68 rushing yards in 22 attempts.
In all, the Lanning crew held the SEC champs to a net 30 yards on the ground. Young connected with tight end Cameron Latu and wide receiver Jameson Williams on big pass plays, but Georgia's big, quick, physical Front 7 stiffened in scoring territory, holding their opponent to four field goals through three quarters.
GEORGIA PICK-6!! 😱@espn | #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/BvKPsL2GJn
— FanSided (@FanSided) January 11, 2022
Bama's only touchdown came after a fumble recovery at the Georgia 16. With 11:35 to go in the fourth quarter Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett rolled right, pressured by Christian Bennett. Trying to avoid the sack as he was being tackled he attempted a pass but lost control of the ball. Though it went forward, officials ruled it a fumble.
The call stood after review and The Tide scored four plays later on a short pass to Latu.
In all, though, the game was a triumph for Lanning and the Georgia defense. In the league championship game they'd been embarrassed by the Alabama passing game while losing 41-24. This time they dialed up more pressure and showed better conditioning, holding the nation's number three scoring offense (41.4 points a game) to just 18 points.
PERFECTLY timed blitz by Georgia to keep Alabama out of the end zone once again 👀 pic.twitter.com/CZGwTXwZRc
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) January 11, 2022
The relentless D gave Bennett and the Georgia running game time to get untracked.
For Duck fans, the game was a glimpse into the new head coach's vision for his future defense at Oregon. Though it will take a couple of seasons to amass the kind of talent Georgia employs on a squad with 19 five-star players, the cupboard is not bare in Eugene. A unit led by Noah Sewell, Justin Flowe, Brandon Dorlus, Popo Aumavae, Jeffrey Bassa, Bennett Williams and Christian Gonzalez can readily duplicate the pressure and aggressiveness against PAC-12 competition.
Monday's win in the rematch showed Lanning's ability to scheme, adjust and motivate. Already, recruits have taken notice.
— Trejon Williams (@trejon_williams) January 11, 2022
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