Monday January 10th set the National Football championship between number one ranked Alabama Crimson Tide and number three ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Alabama came off a big win in the semi finals where they ran through Cincinnati winning 27-6. Similarly, Georgia was coming off a 34-11 victory after taking down Coach Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines in the Orange Bowl. Both teams entered the matchup with a 13-1 record on the season. 

Stetson Bennet became the first walk-on to start at quarterback in a National Championship game. He threw for 224 yards completing 17 passes, two being for touchdowns. Zamir White led the Bulldogs rushing with 13 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown. Brock Bowers was held to 4 receptions for 36 yards but was able to find the endzone for the Bulldogs. Georgia defense put up another impressive performance holding Bryce Young and the powerful Alabama offense to 1 touchdown.

On the other side, Alabama’s Heisman winning quarterback Bryce Young went 35 for 57, passing for 369 yards and a touchdown. He also threw two interceptions after only having 5 interceptions all season. Alabama rushing was led by Brian Robinson Jr. who piled up 68 yards on 22 rushes. With John Metchie III out with a knee injury, and Jameson Williams going down early in the matchup with an apparent knee injury, tight end Cameron Latu stepped up and led the receiving end for Alabama. He hauled in 5 receptions for 102 yards and Alabama’s only touchdown.

Justin Polsky, Wayne Hills senior said, “It was a very entertaining game. I think Georgia shocked the world.”

Georgia coach, Kirby Smart, was a former assistant under Coach Nick Saban of Alabama. After the game Saban said, “I love Kirby, He did a great job for us for a long time. If we had to lose a national championship, I’d rather lose one to one of the former assistants.” It will be interesting to see how this rivalry grows as Georgia and Alabama are now two of the best teams with two great coaches.