– Mercedes Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)

 

The No. 1 Georgia outlasted the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes 42-41 to advance to their second consecutive national championship.

 

The Bulldogs were down 38-24 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud was carving up the Georgia defense, and all momentum was in Ohio State’s favor. 

 

However, Georgia had already faced a 14-point deficit in the first half. They were down 21-7 early in the second quarter, but eventually cut the lead to four at the end of the half.

 

So, the Bulldogs pulled their composure card once again with the game on the line. 

 

After a Podlesny field goal, Georgia got the defensive stop to give the ball back to Stetson Bennett. 

 

Ohio State ran a trick play on 4th-and-1 to get the first down, but Kirby Smart called a timeout right before the snap 

 

The Bulldogs got the ball back and Bennett threw a 76-yard touchdown to Arian Smith on the first play of the drive. The Bulldogs completed the 2-point conversion and cut the lead to 38-35.

 

After holding the Buckeyes to a field goal, Bennett found wide receiver AD Mitchell in the end zone from 10 yards out. That touchdown gave the Bulldogs the 42-41 lead with 54 seconds left.

 

With plenty of time left on the clock and two timeouts left, the Buckeyes weren’t out yet. Stroud led the offense all the way down the field. He took off for a 27-yard rush and brought Ohio State to within field goal range.

 

With eight seconds left,  the clock hit midnight on New Year’s Eve and Ohio State kicker Noah Ruggles missed wide left. 

 

Georgia (14-0) will play No. 3 TCU (13-1) at SoFi Stadium Jan. 9th at 7:30 PM ET.

 

Takeaways:

 

  • Ohio State’s offensive game plan worked really well. Georgia is a team that emphasizes limiting explosive plays. The Buckeyes got the ball out quick and hit crossing routes over the middle. They also incorporated throws outside the hashes once they attacked in the middle.
  • Stroud had an outstanding game and proved why he will be a top pick in this upcoming NFL Draft. Stroud threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns with a 68% completion percentage.
  • Ohio State outplayed Georgia for the majority of the game, but Georgia just knows how to win. 

 

Notes:

 

  • Junior tight  end Darnell Washington left the game with an ankle injury. He was seen with crutches on the sidelines 
  • Sophomore outside linebacker Chaz Chambliss exited with a left knee injury and did not return

 

Offensive Player of the Game- QB Stetson Bennett: 23-34 398 yards 3 TD 1 INT

Defensive Player of the Game- DB Javon Bullard: 3 solo tackles 1 sack 1 PBU