Tuscaloosa News - Alabama Championship Pages

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Hometown Heroes: Howard Crawford stepping up for UAB. 8C

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Alabama back on top with 13th national championship

By Cecil Hurt Sports Editor

PHOTO | JASON HARLESS

Alabama running back Mark Ingram celebrates after scoring on a 1-yard run with two minutes left to play against Texas in the BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena, Calif.

INSIDE

■ PICK SIX: Defensive lineman Marcell Dareus gives Tide a big lift with interception return for a TD | 4C ■ MARK OF A CHAMPION: Tide running back Mark Ingram comes through with big runs in second half, despite injury | 4C ■ CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENTS: Picture page from Alabama’s win against Texas | 5C ■ LEADER STEPS UP: Linebacker Rolando McClain leads Tide defense despite illness | 6C

PASADENA, CALIF. | It was a BCS National Championship Game that turned into a classic — even if the University of Alabama would have preferred otherwise.

The Crimson Tide captured its first national championship in 17 years, and its first of the BCS Era, holding off a valiant second-half comeback by Texas to defeat the Longhorns 37-21 at the Rose Bowl.

The win also was the first ever for Alabama against Texas in nine tries.

But the results were far more important than the mere ending of a losing streak.

“I’ve never been prouder of a group of guys,” said Alabama head coach Nick Saban. “The blood, sweat and tears they put in was tremendous.

Most people don’t realize the dedication it takes to do that.

“We had a lot of anxiety at the beginning of the game. We made some mistakes. Then it was like we won the game at halftime. But (Texas) had the ability to come back. Give them credit.

But our guys made the plays and I was proud that our guys were able to finish (and) put it away.”

The Longhorns, as Saban noted, did not go quietly.

Texas had pinned its hopes on the passing of quarterback Colt McCoy, and when he went out in the first quarter with a right shoulder injury, the Longhorns were lost for the rest of the half.

Two special-team foibles in the early going — a fake punt attempt on the first series that was intercepted by Texas’ Blake Gideon and a failure to field a sky kick that resulted in a Longhorn recovery — led to two Texas field goals and a 6-0 lead. But the important development in the early going was the loss of McCoy on a first-down play from the Alabama 11, his shoulder injured on a hit by the Crimson Tide’s Marcell Dareus.

The 6-0 lead held up through the first quarter, but with McCoy’s replacement, Garrett Gilbert, struggling and the UA 1-2 rushing attack shifting into gear, the Crimson Tide exploded for 24 second-quarter points on touchdown runs by Mark Ingram, from 2 yards out, and Trent Richardson on an explosive 49-yard run. Leigh Tiffin added a 26-yard field goal with 29 seconds remaining in the half.

On the ensuing possession, Texas elected not to kill the clock and turned the ball over for what may have been the game’s most devastating touchdown.

Gilbert’s shovel pass attempt to Tre Newton with 15 seconds remaining in the half was intercepted at the line by Dareus, who shoved Gilbert out of the way and went 28 yards for a touchdown that put the Crimson Tide ahead 24-6.

Texas regained the momentum in the second half as Gilbert’s comfort level increased.

SEE TITLE | 6C

Saban deserves credit as Alabama earns national title PASADENA, Calif. here was a point on Thursday night when it appeared the 2009 BCS Championship might come easily for the University of Alabama.

Colt McCoy, Texas’ bright star at quarterback, was injured. The Crimson Tide rushing attack was rolling downhill like twin landslides in Pasadena’s nearby San Gabriel Mountains.

Texas appeared demoralized.

Alabama appeared bent on demolition.

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CECIL HURT

It seemed that the confirmation of the three most important words to all of the UA family — “Alabama Is Back” — was inevitable.

But it didn’t come easily in the end. And it shouldn’t have.

It wouldn’t have been appropriate for Alabama’s 13th national championship to be easy. It wouldn’t have mirrored the journey Alabama has taken over the past 17 years, from the top of the college football mountain to the depths and now, after so long, back to

the top again.

If it did nothing else, the win redefined “looking down the barrel of a gun,” the phrase that has haunted Alabama football for a decade. Now, instead of thinking about an NCAA committee chairman uttering those words, the Crimson Tide can think of Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert, aflame with momentum and poised to push the Longhorns down the field again.

SEE HURT | 6C

The Tuscaloosa News | Sunday, December 24, 2017 Z9

SEPT. 5 SEPT. 12 SEPT. 19 SEPT. 26 OCT. 3 Alabama 34 Alabama 40 Alabama 53 Alabama 35 Alabama 38 Vir. Tech 24 Florida Int. 14 North Texas 7 Arkansas 7 Kentucky 20

OCT. 10 OCT. 17 Alabama 22 Alabama 20 Ole Miss 3 So. Carolina 6

OCT. 24 NOV. 7 Alabama 12 Alabama 24 Tennessee 10 LSU 15

NOV. 14 Alabama 31 Miss. State 3

NOV. 21 Alabama 45 UTC 0

NOV. 27 Alabama 26 Auburn 21

DEC. 5 Alabama 32 Florida 13

JAN. 7 Alabama 37 Texas 21

Alabama finishes the job it started in 2007

By Tommy Deas

A process that began when Nick Saban was hired before the 2007 season came to fruition in Pasadena, Calif., with a 37-21 victory over Texas TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game. It took football team began the 2009 season with a one- Saban, who won a national title at LSU in 2003, to word mission: do the same at Alabama, adding a 13th national Finish. title trophy to the school’s display case.

Executive Sports Editor

“No. 13, it meant a lot to us but it meant a whole lot to the fans, to the school and to everybody else supporting us,” senior All-American nose guard Terrence Cody said after the national championship game. “This is good for us, but it made a lot of people happy.”

SEE FINISH | 6F STAFF PHOTO ILLUSTRATION | ROBERT SUTTON AND ANTHONY BRATINA

The perfect magazine T O C O M M E M O R AT E T H E P E R F E C T S E A S O N !

LORY WITH

RT CECIL HU ORD BY OVERAGE C TOS -GAME

FOREW

Th perfect season, the Heisman Trophy presentation, the celebration of another The SEC Championship – there is plenty of style, fashion and glory in this special SE issue of TUSCALOOSA commemorating Alabama’s 2009 football season. Full iss of captivating photography, TUSCALOOSA brings the games, story lines and season to life. Enjoy! sea

Available at Books-a-million, Barnes & Noble, The Tuscaloosa News and area Kangaroo Stores. To have TUSCALOOSA delivered to your home, call 752-3701 – only $9.75 for 3 issues.

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full coverage of the bcs national championship game inside cecil hurt: Alabama got its second chance. 1C game coverage: About UA’s victory. 3A, Section C

offense: Tide played mind games with LSU. 5C lsu’s reaction: Miles “did not see it coming.” 6C

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bayou bleauxout inside

STAFF PHOTO | DUSTy COMPTON

Alabama notebook Former AD Hootie Ingram in New Orleans to watch Crimson Tide | 4c

Quarter glance Breakdown of each quarter and complete game statistics | 4c

PHOTO | JASON HArLeSS

Total control McCarron, offense show poise in rolling up 384 yards on Tigers | 5c

Staying positive Teammates encourage C.J. Mosley after leaving with injury | 5c

PHOTO | DUSTy COMPTON

ABove: University of Alabama’s Hasean Clinton-Dix (6), Xzavier Dickson (47), Alex Watkins (91) and Vinnie Sunseri (3) tackle LSU’s ron Brooks in the fourth quarter of Monday’s BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans. Alabama’s defense held LSU to just 92 total yards of offense.

BeLow: Alabama kicker Jeremy Shelley holds the BCS championship trophy following the Tide’s win. Shelley kicked five field goals, the most in a BCS

Championship Game.

PHOTO | JASON HArLeSS

Something special Shelley, Maze make special-teams plays to key Bama’s win | 6c

LSU no match in rematch UA does a little bit extra to crush LSU in second meeting | 6c

Badgered Honey Badger and the Tigers end dominant year with a whimper | 6c

Championship moments Photo page of Monday’s BCS title game | 7c

For video and a photo gallery of Monday’s BCS national title game, visit www.tidesports.com

Alabama claims 14th title with dominant win over LSU

By Cecil Hurt Sports Editor

NEW ORLEANS | The University of Alabama got its second chance on Monday night. And LSU had no chance at all.

The Crimson Tide completely engulfed LSU at the Superdome, smashing the Tigers 21-0 in a dominant performance that gave Alabama its second BCS title and should settle any legitimate debate about any version of the national championship.

Jeremy Shelley made five of his seven field-goal attempts and Trent Richardson capped the scoring with a 34-yard touchdown run — the only touchdown in two Alabama-LSU games this year — to provide more than enough offense for a defense that left LSU looking battered and bewildered.

“This demonstrates the character of the young men in the locker room” Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said.

“It’s easy to do the right thing some of the time, but this team has done the right thing almost all the time.”

“We wanted to show that we beat ourselves in the first game,” said Courtney Upshaw, the game’s defensive MVP, said.

SEE T iTLE | 5C

STAFF PHOTO | DUSTy COMPTON

Bama rises to occasion with second chance NEW ORLEANS here are no second acts in American lives,” F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote.

College football, Fitzgerald’s favorite sport, proved him wrong Monday night.

Nov. 6, 2011, was not a good day for the University of Alabama football team.

By extension, it wasn’t a good day for Tuscaloosa. Not the worst day of the year. Not by a long shot. But it seemed that this Crimson Tide — clearly a team of national championship caliber — might be denied a chance at playing for college football’s title by its own mistakes and an admittedly good opponent. cecil Alabama held its destiny in its hand, and H urT bobbled it.

That destiny tumbled to the ground — but it didn’t quite shatter. Improbable events began to happen. Stanford lost, and Oklahoma State. Fate gave Alabama a chance to take hold of its destiny again.

What Alabama did with its second chance should be SEE HuRT | 6C

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1925 • 1926 • 1930 • 1934 • 1941 • 1961 • 1964

1965 • 1973 • 1978 • 1979 • 1992 • 2009 • 2011

CRIMSON CRYSTAL

STAFF PHOTO | DUSTY COMPTON

The University of Alabama celebrated its 14th national title with a dominating 21-0 victory over LSU in New Orleans on Jan. 9. It was payback for a 9-6 overtime loss to the Tigers on Nov. 5, the Tide’s only blemish on a 12-1 season. The prospect of playing for a national title appeared grim after the loss to LSU, but the Crimson Tide stayed resilient, won the remaining games on its schedule and earned its spot in the BCS title game. The rematch with LSU was no match at all as the Alabama defense was smothering, holding the Tigers to just 92 total yards and five first downs. The Alabama offense rolled up 384 yards of offense, 21 first downs and converted five field goals and a touchdown to get the shutout.

The Tuscaloosa News | Sunday, December 24, 2017 Z13

FULL COVERAGE OF THE BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ■ Alabama dominates Notre Dame from the start | 1C ■ CECIL HURT: Crimson Tide’s reign quite a feat | 1C

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■ Tide overwhelms Fighting Irish’s No. 1 defense | 5C ■ Irish offense no match for smothering Tide defense | 6C

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BAMA ROUTS NOTRE DAME TO WIN BACK-TO-BACK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

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FOUR-LEAF CLOBBER Alabama dominates from the start to beat Notre Dame, claims third national championship in four years

STAFF PHOTO | MICHELLE LEPIANKA CARTER

Alabama linebackers C.J. Mosley (32) and Adrian Hubbard (42) tackle Notre Dame running back Theo Riddick (6) during the first half of the BCS National Championship Game at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Monday night.

Tide comes out swinging, rolls to 15th national title

By Cecil Hurt Sports Editor

MIAMI GARDENS, F LA . | Picture Alabama’s greatest moment in its previous history with Notre Dame, Cornelius Bennett’s crushing hit on Steve Beuerlein in 1986. Now imagine that hit lasting not for a split second, but for 60 minutes.

That provides some idea of what happened Monday night.

Alabama (13-1) hit Notre Dame with Ferrari speed and Mack Truck force in the BCS National Championship Game, rolling to a 42-14 victory and securing a third Bowl Championship Series title in four years.

The win was also the seventh straight national championship victory for a Southeastern Conference team and perhaps the most impressive as the No. 1-ranked Fighting Irish (12-

1) were thoroughly outmanned, clearly the slower and less talented team.

The 28-point margin of victory was the largest in BCS championship history with the exception of Southern California’s 55-19 win over Okalahoma in 2005, a result that was later vacated.

Alabama rolled through the Notre Dame defense on each of its fi rst three possessions, accumulating more than 200 yards in the fi rst quarter alone.

Eddie Lacy scored the fi rst Alabama touchdown on a 20-yard run, capping an 82-yard touchdown march that began when Notre Dame, after winning the opening toss, deferred and chose to give UA the ball to start the game.

A fter a three-and-out by Notre Dame, Alabama went on a 61-yard march with Michael Williams of Reform capping the drive on a 3-yard SEE T IDE | 8C

PAGE 5C TIDE OFFENSE:

QUARTER GLANCE:

Tide overwhelms Breakdown of No. 1-ranked each quarter Irish defense

Alabama’s achievement deserves recognition

A

STAFF PHOTO | ROBERT SUTTON

Alabama running back Eddie Lacy holds The Coaches’ Trophy after the Crimson Tide beat Notre Dame for its third national title in four years and 15th overall. Lacy was named the offensive player of the game.

PAGE 6C NUMBERS:

An inside look at the BCS title game

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. labama’s win over Notre Dame on Monday night was epic. Historic. And an afterthought.

There is no way to underestimate the difficulty of repeating as champion in any NCA A sport, particularly football. The rarity of the achievement cries out for recognition.

Tremendous mental focus and physical toughness are required. Alabama displayed those qualities from the opening minutes, not just of Monday night’s 42-14 win over Notre Dame but from the opening minutes of preparation last winter.

Praise of such an accomplishment cannot CECIL be excessive.

HURT But the truth is, Alabama won the national championship in Atlanta. Once Alabama defeated Georgia in what was truly college football’s Game of the Year — to be fair, AlabamaLSU and Alabama-Texas A&M deserve votes for best game as well, but they lacked the postseason power of the SEC Championship Game — wise observers suspected that a BCS title would follow.

SEE HURT | 8C

TIDE DEFENSE:

PAGE 7C CELEBRATION:

Irish falls flat Tide players against relentless ecstatic about Tide defense another title

NOTEBOOK:

Tide’s Jones wins battle with Notre Dame’s Nix

ANALYSIS:

Five plays that had a big impact in the game

ONLINE For video and a photo gallery of the BCS title game go to www.tidesports.com

The Tuscaloosa News | Sunday, December 24, 2017 Z15

KING CRIMSON Alabama capped the 2012 season with its 15th national championship after defeating Notre Dame in the BCS title game. It’s the Crimson Tide’s second straight title and third in four years, a feat only a handful of teams have accomplished.

STAFF PHOTO | DUSTY COMPTON

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GUTS & GLORY Alabama takes down Clemson, 45-40, to win fourth national title in seven years

Defensive player of the game Eddie Jackson hoists the national championship trophy after Alabama’s 45-40 victory over Clemson in the College Football Playoff championship game at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Monday. STAFF PHOTO | GARY COSBY JR.

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF CHAMPIONSHIP /// ALABAMA VS. CLEMSON

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CRIMSON CLASSIC

Players and coaches celebrate after Alabama’s 45-40 victory over Clemson in the College Football Playoff championship in the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Monday.

GARY COSBY JR./ STAFF PHOTO

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he University of Alabama brought home its 16th national title on Monday night with a 45-40 slugfest victory over the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff championship game in Glendale, Ariz. It’s the fourth national title for the Crimson Tide since 2009 and the fifth for coach Nick Saban.

O.J. Howard, the rarely used tight end, was the night’s biggest star, coming up with his biggest game as a player with five receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns, including a 63-yard reception to set up the Crimson Tide’s game-clinching score late in the game. Jake Coker delivered his

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biggest effort on the grandest stage, going 16-for-25 for 335 yards and two touchdowns, both to Howard.

Kenyan Drake provided some fireworks with a fourth-quarter kickoff return for a touchdown after Clemson made a field goal to get momentum and cut into the Crimson Tide’s lead. Alabama

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pulled off an unexpected onside kick with the game tied at 24 early in the fourth quarter, which Marlon Humphrey recovered to give the Crimson Tide the momentum it desperately needed against a tough Clemson team.

Clemson refused to go away and pushed Alabama’s defense like no other team had all season. But the Crimson Tide offense answered when needed to bring another national title back to Tuscaloosa.

Alabama scored 24 fourth-quarter points after trailing heading into the final quarter.

Alabama completes the season with a 14-1 record.

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Inside BIG FINISH: Alabama scores 24 points in fourth quarter. C1 CECIL HURT: This game had it all — sweet success, with scares and surprises. C1

Online For video and more photos from the College Football Playoff championship game, go to www.tuscaloosanews.com and www.tidesports.com.

LOCAL

LOCAL

Tuscaloosa homicide

‘Suspended’ duties?

Open house

One suspect is in custody and investigators were searching for a second suspect after a shooting at a birthday party that left a 27-year-old man dead. B1

Republican party committee asks Mike Hubbard to step aside from his leadership role until the “distraction” of his ethics trial is over. B1

University of West Alabama will showcase a classroom outfitted as an adaptive learning environment through an education grant. B1

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QUESTIONS? Contact Executive Sports Editor Tommy Deas at tommy.deas@tuscaloosanews.com

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF CHAMPIONSHIP /// ALABAMA VS. CLEMSON

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Desert drama

Alabama running back Kenyan Drake (17) outruns Clemson safety Jayron Kearse (1) as he returns a kickoff for a touchdown during Alabama’s 45-40 victory over Clemson in the College Football Playoff championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on Monday in Glendale, Ariz. STAFF PHOTOS | GARY COSBY JR.

THE GAME

COMMENTARY

24 points in fourth quarter seal CFP title

This game had it all, including a sweet victory

By Tommy Deas Executive Sports Editor

GLENDALE, Ariz. — History favors the bold.

It is remembered for the dramatic.

The University of Alabama bested gritty and determined Clemson 45-40 on Monday night, giving the Crimson Tide its fourth national title in the last seven years, extending a dynasty of domination of college football.

Alabama's 16th national championship had the boldest of decisions and all the drama that a crowd of 75,765 could stand.

It was head coach Nick Saban's bold call that turned the contest in UA's favor after Adam Griffith's 33-yard field goal with 10:30 to go tied the score at 24-all, electing to go for a surprise onside kick.

Griffith booted it over a Jake Coker celebrates Alabama’s SEE CFP, C7

45-40 victory over Clemson on Monday night.

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he dynasty is not dead.

If Clemson couldn't kill it, throwing every imaginable weapon at the Crimson Tide, one wonders what will.

The fourth national CECIL HURT championship in seven years was scarier than any it defied the standard of the other three, which will only make it sweeter. Alabama image, the one that most of the national Sweeter, because it media — including the took a full 60 minutes to rapid revisionists of the achieve.

Sweeter, because SEE HURT, C4

MORE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME COVERAGE INSIDE

Refreshing O.J.

Going out on top

Breaking it down

Online

Tight end O.J. Howard had the game of his life at the perfect time for the Crimson Tide. C5

Deshaun Watson made Kirby Smart’s last game as Alabama defensive coordinator a wild one. C4

A quarter-by-quarter look at how Monday’s thrilling title game played out. C5

For video and more photos from the CFP title game, go to www.tuscaloosanews.com and www.tidesports.com.

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COM M E M OR AT I VE I SSUE

CELEBR ATING

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Alabama running back Derrick Henry PHOTO BY GARY COSBY JR.

CRIMSON TIDE REIGNS SUPREME WITH 16TH N ATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

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ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE 26, GEORGIA BULLDOGS 23 (OT)

TITLE KINGS Alabama comes back to beat Georgia in overtime, wins fifth national championship in nine years

Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick kisses the championship trophy as the Crimson Tide celebrates its victory over Georgia in overtime of the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday. [STAFF PHOTO/ERIN NELSON] 0

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SABAN’S

SIXTH Crimson Tide coach ties Bear Bryant for most national championships

Alabama coach Nick Saban hoists the championship trophy after the Crimson Tide defeated Georgia, 26-23, in overtime of the College Football Playoff National Championship in Atlanta. [STAFF PHOTO/GARY COSBY JR.]

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C O L L E G E F O O T B A L L P L AYO F F N AT I O N A L C H A M P I O N S H I P G A M E

Alabama Crimson Tide 26, Georgia Bulldogs 23 (OT)

EXHILARATION

Alabama players celebrate with wide receiver DeVonta Smith, center, after his game-winning touchdown catch in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Alabama beat Georgia in overtime, 26-23. [STAFF PHOTO/GARY COSBY JR.]

ua Tagovailoa didn’t start the College Football Playoff Championship on Monday in Atlanta, but he finished it with a flourish.

The University of Alabama’s freshman quarterback came off the bench to start the second half and led the Crimson Tide to a 26-23 victory over Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, throwing a 41-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith in overtime to win it. Tagovailoa completed 14 of 24 passes for 166 yards with two touchdowns to lead the Crimson Tide back from a 13-point halftime deficit. The Crimson Tide, behind Tagovailoa’s passing and a defense that began to step up after allowing an 80-yard touchdown pass that put Georgia up 20-7 more than halfway through the third quarter, came back to tie it and then won it on the big touchdown pass in overtime. Alabama finished with a 13-1 record to claim its fifth national championship since 2009 and the 17th in school history.

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Hawaiian punch

Analysis from Atlanta

Cecil Hurt

Keeping the Tide alive

The Alabama era seemed at an end when freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was pounded into the turf for a 16-yard loss.

The Crimson Tide was facing second-and-forever, 41 yards from a winning touchdown and three plays away from defeat. C1

It was an all-time championship game with an ending that will be replayed as long as football is contested. The game was shaped by a few key plays, as is the case week in and week out, but in a national championship game, those plays are magnified. C5

For a half, Alabama’s world was chaos. The Crimson Tide wasn’t moving on offense and wasn’t acting with its usual poise and discipline. Then, somehow, Alabama took that chaos, reversed it and rendered it into something magnificent. C1

With the Crimson Tide running out of time and Georgia trying to hold on for its first national title since 1980, the Alabama defense responded with two big fourth-quarter stops, giving the offense the ball and the opportunity to tie the game. C3

Gov. Ivey, lawmakers begin election year session The Associated Press

MONTGOMERY — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey will take center stage Tuesday as she gives her first State of the State address since being catapulted to the governor’s office nine months ago.

Ivey will lay out an agenda

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for the coming months from the Alabama Capitol on the opening day of the 2018 legisIvey lative session.

Ivey, previously the state’s lieutenant governor, became governor

Bridge, Sudoku ................ C9 Comics ...........................B4 Crossword ...................... C9

in April following the resignation of then-Gov. Robert Bentley, who stepped down amid an ethics investigation and impeachment push in the fallout of an alleged affair with a staffer.

Political scientist Bill Stewart said the speech is an important moment in Ivey’s

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new administration as she seeks the office in the 2018 gubernatorial race.

Stewart said Ivey enjoyed popularity simply because she represented a clean break from the scandal that engulfed her predecessor, but now people will be looking to more from her administration.

“People need to feel comfortable with her leadership, and she needs to convince people she is worthy of a full four-year term in office,” Stewart said.

Ivey will lay out her agenda that is expected to include See SESSION, A7

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Tommy Deas Executive sports editor tommy.deas@tuscaloosanews.com

ALABAMA 26, GEORGIA 23 (OT)

HAWAIIAN PUNCH

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) looks for a passing lane against Georgia during the second half of the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Tagovailoa came off the bench in the second half to help lead the Crimson Tide past Georgia, 26-23, in overtime. [STAFF PHOTO/GARY COSBY JR.]

Freshman Tua Tagovailoa leads Alabama to 17th title

Crimson Tide turns chaos into something magical

Game when the freshman quarterback was pounded into the turf at MercedesBenz Stadium for a 16-yard loss. Georgia was up by a field goal and the Crimson Tide was facing secondand-forever, 41 yards from a winning touchdown and three plays away from defeat.

Tagovailoa didn’t blink. He took the snap and recognized Georgia’s coverage. He looked off a safety and heaved the ball

world was chaos. Things were falling apart, figuratively speaking. The Crimson Tide wasn’t moving on offense and wasn’t acting with its usual poise and discipline. Reserves were barking at assistant coaches on the sideline.

Mere anarchy wasn’t quite loosed upon the world, but you could see it peeking over the horizon, the defense doing its best to stave off

By Tommy Deas Executive Sports Editor

ATLANTA — Dynasties die hard.

The University of Alabama’s time at the top of college football’s summit hung in the balance as the ball spiraled out of Tua Tagovailoa’s left hand toward the end zone in overtime on Monday night.

The Alabama era seemed at an end just moments earlier in the College Football Playoff Championship

See FRESHMAN, C4

Cecil Hurt TLANTA In Hawaiian lore, the world begins in chaos – “O ke au i kahuli wela ka honua,” the time when the world was hot.

Then the heavens turn about.

For a half, Alabama’s

A

Alabama defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs (49) celebrates a tackle for a loss against Georgia. Alabama defeated Georgia in overtime, 26-23. [STAFF PHOTO/GARY COSBY JR.]

See HURT, C4

FROM BAD TO GOOD

BIG STOPS

ANALYSIS

NOTEBOOK

After taking a sack on the first play of overtime, Tua Tagovailoa delivered a 41-yard touchdown strike to DeVonta Smith for the game-winner.

C3

Alabama couldn’t get off the field on third down, but when the Crimson Tide needed to stop the Bulldogs it did twice in the fourth quarter to help lead the Alabama comeback. C3

The national title game, one for the ages, was full of big plays. The Tuscaloosa News highlights five of them. C5

Alabama’s national championship parade date is set for Jan. 20. C6