Freshman quarterback steps in, leads late rally past Georgia

ATLANTA – Freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith in overtime to lift Alabama to its fifth national title in nine years, leading in a thrilling comeback to a 26-23 victory over Georgia on Monday night in the College Football Playoff championship game.

Calvin Ridley caught a 7-yard TD pass from Tagovailoa with 3:49 to play to tie the score at 20 for the Crimson Tide, who trailed 13-0 at halftime and 20-7 in the third quarter. Tagovailoa, a five-star recruit from Hawaii who had played in eight regular-season games, entered in place of starter Jalen Hurts to open the second half.

Alabama had a chance to win it in regulation, but Andy Pappanastos missed a 36-yard field goal attempt – his second miss of the game – with three seconds left, forcing overtime.

Pappanastos kicked a 30-yard field goal to trim the Crimson Tide’s deficit to 20-13 with 9:24 to play.

Alabama pulled to 20-10 with 5:15 left in the third quarter. Pappanastos, who missed a 40-yard field-goal

attempt in the first quarter, connected from 43 yards six plays after the Crimson Tide got their second interception in two games by a defensive lineman.

Raekwon Davis picked off a pass by Jake Fromm that bounced off the helmet of Tide defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand. Alabama got an interception from Da'Ron Payne in the playoff semifinal win over Clemson.

Georgia took a 20- 7 lead with a big play from Mecole Hardman.

After scoring three touchdowns all season, Hardman had his second of the national title game with an 80-yard TD catch that included some fancy footwork along the sideline.

After Alabama staged an impressive drive for its first touchdown, cutting the Bulldogs' lead to 13- 7 in the third quarter, Georgia answered quickly with Fromm's long pass to Hardman.

A review confirmed Hardman stayed in bounds after stepping through a tackle attempt by Alabama defensive back Tony Oregon 20

Brown.

The Bulldogs got the ball when Deandre Baker intercepted Tagovailoa, who had led Alabama to its first touchdown after replacing Hurts.

Tagovailoa hit Henry Ruggs III with a 6-yard touchdown pass to finish a seven- play, 56- yard drive, cutting into a 13- 0 halftime deficit.

Hurts was just 3- of- 8 passing for 21 yards in the first half, and he ran for 47 yards.

Georgia took a 13-0 lead as Fromm led the Bulldogs on a 69-yard touchdown drive in the last two minutes of the second quarter. Hardman capped it by taking a direct snap and running 1 yard into the end zone with 7 seconds left.

Rodrigo Blankenship kicked field goals of 41 and 27 yards, and the Bulldogs' defense held the Crimson Tide in check.