CHANNING TINDALL

Kirby Smart learned from his former boss that the time for celebrating is short in college football.

CFP Championship Football Alabama's Bryce Young thorws past Georgia's Channing Tindall during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. The Bulldogs entered the championship game allowing a nation-best 9.6 points per game. Held without a sack in the loss to Alabama in Atlanta, Georgia's defense appeared to break through on the fourth play of the game. Georgia took a 19-18 lead on Stetson Bennett’s 40-yard touchdown pass to Adonai Mitchell. The Crimson Tide's punt set up Bennett's 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brock Bowers to stretch the lead to eight points.

Georgia won its long-awaited national championship the way it dominated during an undefeated regular season — by relying on its defense.

Alabama once again collected a Southeastern Conference title and two big league-wide individual awards.

Stetson Bennett ran for a touchdown and threw for another as top-ranked Georgia remained perfect, wrapping up its Southeastern Conference schedule by routing Tennessee 41-17.