ATLANTA- No. 4 Alabama defeated No. 3 Georgia in overtime, 26-23, in the College Football Playoff National Championship to capture its 17th title in program history. The win gives head coach Nick Saban his sixth national championship, tying Paul “Bear” Bryant for the most all time. Alabama finished off the season with a 13-1 record, and captured its second championship in the playoff era.

The Crimson Tide came back from a 13-0 deficit to shock Georgia for the win. This is the fifth time under Saban that Alabama has won a national championship. 

Moment of the game

Freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa finds freshman DeVonta Smith for a 41-yard touchdown in overtime to beat Georgia.

Offensive player of the game

Matthew Speakman- Tua Tagovailoa

Cody Estremera- Tua Tagovailoa 

Defensive player of the game

Matthew Speakman- Raekwon Davis

Cody Estremera- Da’Ron Payne

Notes:

• Tony Brown ended Georgia’s first drive of a game by stealing the ball out of Javon Wims hands for his first interception of the season.
• Alabama proceeded to march down field, but stalled deep in Georgia territory. A false start wiped off a 35-yard field goal. Andy Pappanastos missed the 40-yard attempt. 
• Rodrigo Blankenship scored the first points of the game on a 41-yard field goal. 
• Georgia scored the first touchdown of the game with seven seconds left in the first half. Mecole Hardman took the direct snap one yard for the score.’
• Georgia outgained Alabama 223-94 in the first half. Jake Fromm had 126 yards through the air, while Sony Michel had 61 yards on eight attempts. Jalen Hurts finished the half with 21 passing yards and 47 rushing yards. 
• Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa started the second half for Alabama. Alabama went 3-and-out on his first drive.
• Tagovailoa helped march the Crimson Tide down the field on his second drive. The Crimson Tide went 56 yards on seven plays. Henry Ruggs caught the six-yard pass.
• Fromm answered in just four plays. He threw an 80-yard bomb to Hardman to regain the 13-point lead.
• On fourth and four, Tagovailoa found Calvin Ridley in the end zone to tie the game with 3:49 left in the game. It was the first tie since 14:14 in the second quarter, when the game was scoreless.
• Alabama missed its second field goal in the game. Pappanastos missed from 36 yards out.