Alabama Football: Tua too much for Dawgs to handle

Alabama football came from behind to nip the Georgia Bulldogs 26-23 in overtime and win the Tide’s fifth national championship in nine seasons.

A few days before Alabama football and the Georgia Bulldogs did battle in Atlanta, a seasoned observer said the game would be ugly. The first half Monday night, especially the performance by the Alabama Crimson Tide was just that – ugly.

At halftime, Georgia led 13-0. The Tide had 94 yards to 223 for the Bulldogs. Alabama football committed five first-half penalties, converted 1-of-6, 3rd downs and missed a field goal. The Tide’s passing attack had gained only 21 yards, eight of which was really a running play, a jet sweep to Robert Foster. Georgia led Alabama football in Time of Possession 19:23 to 10:37. Georgia fans might not have seen any ugliness but Tide fans had seen so much, prospects looked bleak.

Saban decides it’s Tua-time

Nick Saban had seen enough to know without a passing game, the Tide could not mount a comeback. He turned to true freshman, Tua Tagovailoa on the first possession of the second half. The results were immediate but also not complete. Tua led the tide to 10, 3rd quarter points while Georgia scored seven. He threw a touchdown pass and an interception. At the end of three quarters, the score was Georgia 20 – Alabama 10.

The 4th quarter was, as generations of Alabama football fans have learned to expect, dominated by the Crimson Tide. The Tide gained 155, 4th quarter yards to Georgia’s 41 yards. Tua passed for another touchdown and Andy Pappanastos added a field goal.

Then all of a sudden, the game turned ugly again. At the end of regulation, Pappanastos had a 36-yard field goal for the win.  He missed badly. The game moved to overtime.

Overtime Heroics

Georgia had the first possession. A sack by Terrell Lewis forced the Bulldogs to kick a 51-yard field goal. Rodrigo Blankenship nailed it.

The Crimson Tide’s overtime turn started poorly. Tua was sacked for a loss of 16 yards. What followed was pure beauty for Alabama football fans. Tua looked off a deep safety in Georgia’s two-deep coverage. The result was Devonta Smith racing past a single Georgia defender to snag the championship winning 41-yard touchdown pass.

There was ugliness no more. Alabama football scored 26 second-half points to defeat Georgia and maintain its status as a college football dynasty, arguably college football’s greatest ever Dynasty.

In the process, Nick Saban won his sixth national championship, equalling Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant. Asked about that individual achievement after the game, Saban appeared to genuinely not give it much thought. His clear unbridled joy was for his players, who turned an ugly performance into one of the Crimson Tide’s greatest victories. Nick believably said, ‘I have never been so happy.”

Enjoy Tide fans.

Next: 30 Greatest Games in Alabama Football History

The post linked above will soon be edited with a new entry. Alabama football’s 17th national championship must be added to the list.