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Texas A&M Uses Key Interceptions to Beat Georgia for Back-to-Back Titles
New Orleans, Louisiana- Texas A&M has been on a rampage ever since its loss to Oklahoma State almost two months ago. The wins got the Aggies back to the national championship for the second year in a row and would once again face the Georgia Bulldogs. Texas A&M had not won a National Title since 1931 last year, and now they were looking for two in a row. Last year the "Lone Star Defense" led the way to victory over the Bulldogs in Pasadena and that would be the case again.
Georgia won the coin toss and elected to kick off to the Aggies. Ryan Tannehill led his triple-option offense out onto the field and was looking to get on the board early. Tannehill and A&M mixed in runs and passes to march down the field and set up inside the 10 yard line. Cyrus Gray would do the rest of the work as he punched the ball into the endzone to give the Aggies the early seven to nothing lead. Georgia would then take the field without starting QB Gray and would be forced into a punt. A&M got the ball back and yet again marched down the field and scored. This time it was Caleb Russell who scored the six and suddenly A&M was up 14-0. The Bulldogs however would not give up that easily as they got the ball early in the second quarter. The fill-in QB Murray led his team down the field and Georgia was set up with a chance to cut into the lead. Murray hit his TE Charles from 20 yards out for the Georgia touchdown.
Georgia Cuts into the Aggies Lead
Texas A&M came back onto the field for a critical drive. The Aggies needed to keep momentum on their side as Georgia tried to take it away. The Georgia defensive line proved tough on this drive as they did all game. After a first down by A&M, Tannehill dropped back to pass. Tannehill was under heavy pressure, but he managed to avoid the first Bulldog defender, the second however forced his throw off-line and it was intercepted.
Georgia Picks Off Texas A&M
Right after the pick A&M got a huge spark that sent a chorus of cheers throughout the packed Super Dome. Reese took the kick eight yards deep in the endzone and decided to take it out. He dashed up the middle and saw a hole to his left and was off to the races as he took the kick 108 yards for the touchdown. Georgia would respond with a great drive following the huge play in which they scored with just under a minute left. Texas A&M would go back to work and would get into field goal range, but Georgia iced the kicker and the kicked landed just short with no time left on the clock. The miss would leave the game tied at 21 as both teams went into the locker room.
The third quarter would be a defensive struggle as neither team would score a single point. Georgia however would threaten to score as they got in the redzone. However, that threat would be neutralized by Sophomore, Thorpe Award Winner, FS Ryan Williams. Georgia would run a slant pattern that the player of the game, Williams, would step in front of and intercept. Williams has recorded over 100 tackles and seven interceptions on the year.
Thorpe Award Winner, Ryan WIlliams Interception
Texas A&M would get the first score of the first quarter to take the 28-21 lead late in the championship game. Following the go ahead touchdown Georgia looked to tie the game up. This time it would be SS Johnson that would step up for the Aggies. Johnson jumped the out route and set up the Aggies inside the 30 yard line to try and put the game away.
Johnson Picks off Murray
After the pick Texas A&M looked to put the game away. The Aggies moved inside the 10 yard line where Michael finished off the drive. Michael took the toss to the right and made one move than found the endzone. The score put the Aggies up 35-21 with two and a half minutes left in the game.
Michael Puts A&M Up 35-21
Texas A&M would go into an umbrella defense just trying to make sure that they kept everything in front of them knowing that they would be in good shape as long as they didn't give up a big play. Georgia used up a minute and a half before scoring to cut the lead to seven points. Georgia would decide to kick it deep with a minute left and having all three timeouts. On the first play Texas A&M took a risk by throwing a pass that was completed for a first down. Three straight runs that were short of a first down gave Georgia a chance. The Bulldogs got the ball with under thirty seconds left in the game. On the first play Murray would be sacked that would put A&M in a time crunch as they rushed back to the line. The next play Murray would get hit and would be picked off ending the game and winning Texas A&M its second BCS National Title in a row.
