Georgia wins in 2 OTs, sets its sights on Atlanta
My team just had faith in me,” said Michel, who did all that damage on just 11 carries.
“That’s what this team is all about. They showed true character today.”
In the final game of his great career, Oklahoma’s BakerMayfield threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns, and caught a touchdown pass that gave the Sooners a 17-point lead with 6 seconds left in the first half.
But the Heisman Trophy winner could not get the Sooners (12-2) into the end zone in the first overtime when a touchdown would have ended the game.
The Bulldogs will play Alabama on Jan. 8 for the national championship in Atlanta, about 90 miles from their campus. After Georgia made its first trip to the Rose Bowl since 1943 a rousing, heart-stopping success, the Bulldogs will now play for their first national title since 1980.
“We got to get back to work. It’s not done,” Michel said. “Now we got to finish. Let’s just finish this season off right.”
The first overtime Rose Bowl was also the highestscoring, surpassing last year’s 52-49 USC victory against Penn State. There was a lot more on the line in this one, which will go down as an all-time great.
After an offside penalty on Georgia gave Oklahoma a first down on third-and-five in the second OT possession, the Sooners stalled again and Austin Seibert came out for a 27-yard field goal.
Leaping through the line, Lorenzo Carter got his outstretched hand on the kick and the ball fluttered down short of the uprights.
Any score would have ended it for the Bulldogs, and on the second play Michel slipped one tackle and was home free. The Bulldogs sprinted off the sideline and toward the corner of the end zone to mob Michel.
Meanwhile, Mayfield stood motionless on the sideline for several seconds, bent over with his hands on his knees and head down. Mayfield battled flu-like symptoms the week leading into the game, but he played just fine.
“I can’t believe it’s over. It’s been a wild ride,” said Mayfield with a hoarse voice before he started to cry.
Mayfield showed no obvious effects from the illness that dogged him throughout the week of preparation before the game, aside from that scratchy throat.
Yet coach Lincoln Riley’s play-calling didn’t give Mayfield every chance to shine, and the coach acknowledged it afterward.
Mayfield passed for only 87 yards after halftime, failing to connect with his receivers on a handful of big throws at key moments.
He threw only 13 passes in the second half and four more in overtime, including a single shovel pass on the first possession.
Mayfield stayed firmly behind Riley, calling the rookie boss “the best coach in the country.”
But Mayfield also threw his only interception to Dominick Sanders on the first snap of the fourth quarter. Sanders returned it to the Oklahoma 4, and the Bulldogs punched in a goahead touchdown.
Mayfield responded by leading a tying 88-yard touchdown drive in just six plays ending with 8:47 left in regulation, but the Oklahoma offense didn’t reach the end zone again.
Michel and his running mate Nick Chubb were awesome for Georgia. Chubb ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns, including a 2yarder with 55 seconds left in regulation to tie it.
Both teams settled for field goals in the first overtime. First, Georgia’s Rodrigo Blankenship hit from 38 to make it 48-45.
Then it was Mayfield’s turn. A touchdown would have sent the Sooners to Atlanta, but on a third-and-2 from the 17 Georgia AllAmerica linebacker Roquan Smith nailed Jordan Smallwood short of the first down.
Seibert kicked a 33-yarder and the Bulldogs and Sooners played on, but not for much longer.