INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Stetson Bennett delivered the biggest throws of his storybook career and Georgia's defense sealed the sweetest victory in program history, vanquishing rival Alabama 33-18 in the College Football Playoff title Monday for its first national title in 41 years.

Bennett connected with Adonai Mitchell on a 40-yard touchdown to give No. 3 Georgia a 19-18 lead with 8:09 left and then hooked up with Brock Bowers for a 15-yard TD on a screen to put the Bulldogs up with 3:33 left.

What You Need To Know

  • The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide, 33-18, in the College Football Playoff title Monday

  • The Bulldogs hadn't won a national title since freshman Herschel Walker led them there in 1980

  • Georgia QB Stetson Bennett threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns

  • The final blow came when Georgia CB Kelee Ringo intercepted an underthrown deep ball by Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and returned it for a touchdown with :54 remaining in the fourth quarter

The final blow came from the defense. Kelee Ringo intercepted an underthrown deep ball down the sideline by Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young. Instead of going down with a little over a minute left, Ringo took off and behind a convoy of blockers went 79 yards for a touchdown that set off a wild celebration by the Georgia fans who packed Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Bulldogs hadn't won a national title since freshman Herschel Walker led them there in 1980. If simply snapping the drought wasn't good enough, doing against No. 1 Alabama (13-2) had to make it feel even better.

Nick Saban's Crimson Tide had won seven straight against the Bulldogs, including the last four against Georgia coach Kirby Smart, Saban's longtime assistant.