University of Georgia tight end Brock Bowers against Texas Christian University in the second quarter of the NCAA College Football National Championship in California, on January 9, 2023.
Credit: © Mike Goulding, UPI/Alamy Images

On Monday, January 9th, 2023, the University of Georgia Bulldogs showed up to play against the Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frogs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Georgia, the number one seed, only allowed the number three seed, TCU, one touchdown during the entire game. Georgia won the NCAA National Championship last year and now holds the title for two years in a row. Georgia not only won with a final score of 65 to 7, but with the 58-point lead, Georgia also secured the largest defeat in a bowl game in the history of college football.

Throughout the game, surrounded by thousands of fans, Georgia overwhelmed TCU. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV, nicknamed “the mailman,” made four passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns to tie with former Louisiana State University quarterback Joe Burrow’s most touchdowns scored in a game. Bennett became the first player to score at least two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns in a national title game in recent history.

The game began with Georgia quickly shutting down TCU’s opening drive and answering with a rushing touchdown by Bennett. Quickly the Bulldogs regained the ball and scored a field goal to raise the score to double digits. Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan marched 75 yards to score TCU’s first and only touchdown of the game. It was still in the first quarter. Georgia secured three more touchdowns, unanswered, before halftime. The teams retreated to their huddles with the scoreboard displaying 38 to 7. Georgia had scored on all six of its possessions in the first half.

Soon after halftime, it became apparent that the Bulldogs had the title in the bag with a 52 to 7 lead. With such a lead, Bennett stepped out of the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter, allowing backup Branson Robinson to score two touchdowns. The Bulldogs celebrated their monumental win and senior quarterback Bennett as he moves his sights to the NFL draft.

Kansas forward David McCormack and North Carolina guard R.J. during the 2022 NCAA tournament finals.
Credit: © David J. Phillip, AP Photo

On Monday, April 4, the University of Kansas Jayhawks overcame a 15-point halftime deficit to defeat the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, 72-69, and win the school’s fourth National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball championship in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Jayhawks outscored the Tar Heels, 47-29, in the second half to cap the largest comeback in NCAA title game history.

North Carolina, the eighth seed in the East Region, hoped to become the first 8-seed to win the tournament since Villanova’s triumph in 1985. Led by the aggressive drives of point guard R. J. Davis and the spirited play of hobbled center Armando Bacot, the Tar Heels stunned the favored Jayhawks in the game’s first half. With several starters in foul trouble, Kansas—the Midwest Region’s top seed—looked out of sync and stumbled into halftime down 40-25.

Kansas emerged from the locker room as the more confident team, however, and quickly reduced the deficit to single digits. Center David McCormack (15 points, 10 rebounds) and guard Christian Braun (12 points, 12 rebounds) led the comeback. Forward Jalen Wilson and guards Ochai Agbaji and Remy Martin also scored in double-figures for the Jayhawks. Kansas Coach Bill Self nabbed a second NCAA victory, his last coming in 2008.

North Carolina outrebounded Kansas, 55 to 35, for the game, but it couldn’t convert enough of its extra shot attempts into baskets. The Jayhawks sank 44 percent of their field goal attempts, compared with 32 percent for the Tar Heels. Bacot (15 points, 15 rebounds), Davis (15 points, 12 rebounds), and forward Brady Manek (13 points, 13 rebounds) each tallied double-doubles for the Heels in the hard-fought game.

Carolina guard Caleb Love, whose heroics in Saturday’s semifinal led the Tar Heels to an 81-77 upset win over their archrival, the Blue Devils of Duke, had a rough game Monday night. Dogged by a tender ankle and a host of long, physical defenders, he missed 19 of his 24 shots, including an errant three-point attempt as time expired. Love had scored 28 points to dispatch Duke and send the Blue Devils’ legendary leader, Coach Mike Krzyzewski, into retirement a game earlier than Duke fans had hoped. Coach “K” finished his illustrious 47-year career with a record 1,202 wins, including 5 NCAA titles.

* * *

The NCAA women’s basketball championship took place a night earlier, on April 3. The top-ranked and top overall seed University of South Carolina Gamecocks led throughout, defeating the University of Connecticut Huskies, 64-49, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Junior forward Aliyah Boston, the consensus national player of the year, amassed 11 points and 16 rebounds for the Gamecocks. Speedy senior guard Destanni Henderson played her greatest game on the biggest stage, tallying a career-high 26 points and frustrating the Huskies with relentless defensive pressure.

The Huskies, led by 14 points from star sophomore guard Paige Bueckers, were overwhelmed by the intensity and physicality of the Gamecocks. South Carolina outrebounded Connecticut, 49-24, and shot 26 free throws to the Huskies’ 4. South Carolina and Coach Dawn Staley brought home their second NCAA title, the first coming in 2017.

In a televised post-game interview, Henderson praised her coach and teammates, and she spoke of believing in herself through numerous on- and off-court challenges. The moment also served to highlight the NCAA’s new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy that allows amateur athletes to profit from their collegiate fame. As the interview drew to a close, the fashion-forward guard squeezed in a plug for her clothing line, aptly named “Hennything is Possible.”

January 15, 2020

On Monday, January 13, the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers defeated the Tigers of Clemson University 42-25 to win the College Football Playoff National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. LSU’s win capped a perfect 15-0 season in which the team led the nation in scoring and total offense. The national title was also the crowning moment of a magical year for senior LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, who set a single season record for touchdown passes (60) and earned the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s best college football player. It was the first national title for LSU and head coach Ed Orgeron since 2007. For defending champion Clemson, the loss was the team’s first since losing the national championship against Alabama two years ago.

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow rushes for a touchdown during the first half of the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. Credit: © Todd Kirkland, Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Clemson kept LSU pinned down with poor field position early in the game and took a 17-7 lead in the second quarter. Clemson’s 10-point advantage—LSU’s largest deficit this season—did not last long, however. LSU’s Burrow came to life, putting up three touchdowns in the space of nine minutes to give LSU a 28-17 halftime lead. Clemson cut the lead to 28-25 with a touchdown in the third quarter, but LSU added two more scores to take firm control and coast to the national title.

Burrow finished the game with 463 yards passing, 5 touchdown passes, and 1 rushing score. His 521 yards of total offense (including 58 yards on the ground) were the most ever recorded by a quarterback in a national championship game. LSU junior running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran for 110 yards on just 16 carries. Clemson sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 18 of 37 passes for 234 yards and no touchdown passes. Clemson junior running back Travis Etienne, a native of Louisiana, ran for 78 yards in the loss. Etienne’s 4,038 career rushing yards are the most in Clemson history.

The four-team College Football Playoff began with a bang on Dec. 28, 2019, as No. 2 Ohio State University fell to No. 3 seed Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona. OSU fans were irate as two controversial officiating calls went against the team in the closely contested game. The first controversial call was made against OSU defensive back Shaun Wade following a hit on Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the second quarter. After a review of the tackle, Wade was ejected from the game for targeting the quarterback and lowering his helmet to hit Lawrence. Clemson later scored a touchdown on that offensive drive. In the game’s second half, an OSU defensive back appeared to strip the ball away from a Clemson wide receiver and return the interception for a touchdown, giving OSU a 23-21 lead. However, an official review led the referees to overturn the call, ruling the pass incomplete and negating the score. Clemson went on the win 29-23 and advance to the championship game.

Also on December 28, the No. 1 LSU Tigers had a much easier time in a 63-28 romp over No. 4 seed Oklahoma at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow tied a college bowl game record with seven touchdown passes. Oklahoma has appeared in four of the six College Football Playoffs held since the end of the 2014 season, but has yet to win a game.

July 1, 2019

Last week, on June 26, Tennessee’s Vanderbilt University Commodores defeated the University of Michigan Wolverines 8-2 to win the College World Series (CWS). Vanderbilt won the best-of-three series two games to one for its second national baseball title. After a hard-fought series filled with future Major League Baseball (MLB) stars, the final out in the ninth inning—a pop fly to center—prompted a happy black-and-gold Commodore “dogpile” in the infield at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.

J.J. Bleday of the Vanderbilt Commodores singles in a run in the fourth inning of game three of the College World Series Championship Final on June 26, 2019, at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. Credit: © Peter Aiken, Getty Images

The College World Series is the culmination of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Baseball Championship tournament. The tournament begins with 64 teams, but only the final 8 advance to the CWS. (World Series is an MLB trademark licensed to the NCAA.) Michigan finished second in the Big Ten Conference before battling its way to the tense CWS bracket. Michigan downed Texas Tech and Florida State on the way to the finals. Vanderbilt won the east division of the Southeastern Conference and rolled through the early parts of the tournament to reach the CWS. The Commodores then knocked off Louisville and Mississippi State to reach the finals.

The first NCAA College World Series was played in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1947. Credit: © NCAA

In game one of the CWS Finals, Michigan jumped out to a 2-0 first inning lead, and then steadily pulled away for a 7-4 victory. Lefty Wolverine ace Tommy Henry (drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the June 2019 MLB draft) pitched into the ninth, striking out eight Commodores and allowing three earned runs. First baseman Jimmy Kerr (a Detroit Tigers draft pick) and catcher Joe Donovan went deep for Michigan, and Vanderbilt outfielder J.J. Bleday—the fourth overall pick (Miami Marlins) in the draft—blasted his 27th home run of the season, the most in NCAA Division I this year. (Thirteen Vanderbilt players were chosen in this year’s MLB draft, the most of any CWS team.)

In game two, Vanderbilt rolled to a 4-1 win behind the power pitching of freshman Kumar Rocker, who struck out 11 Wolverines in 6.1 innings. The Commodores scored first on a fielder’s choice in the fourth. An inning later, wild pitches by Michigan allowed two more Commodores to cross the plate. Vanderbilt catcher Philip Clarke (drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays) clubbed a solo homer in the seventh, and reliever Tyler Brown recorded the final eight outs to seal the Commodore victory.

In the deciding game three, Michigan notched a run in the top of the first, but Vanderbilt centerfielder Pat DeMarco (drafted by the New York Yankees) ripped a long ball to left to tie the game in the bottom of the second. A bases loaded walk and a clutch two-out, two-run single gave Vanderbilt a 4-1 lead in the third. A pair of runs in the fourth and a single tally in the seventh padded the Commodore lead. Michigan scraped a run across in the eighth, but Vanderbilt too added a run for a commanding 8-2 advantage. Desperate for a rally in the ninth, all Michigan could muster was a base on balls before the series-ending third out. Towering Vanderbilt starter Mason Hickman struck out 10 batters over 6 innings for the win.

The CWS win was Vanderbilt’s second. The team’s previous title came in 2014 over Virginia. Michigan won the CWS in 1953 and 1962. The CWS has been held in Omaha, Nebraska—a central and generally neutral location—since 1950. The series was played at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium—once the largest minor league stadium in the United States—through 2010. TD Ameritrade Park has hosted the CWS since it opened in 2011.

April 10, 2019

On Sunday night, April 7, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, the Baylor University Lady Bears defeated Notre Dame 82-81 to win the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament. Baylor senior guard Chloe Jackson provided the winning margin with a go-ahead lay-up with just 3.9 seconds remaining in the game. Jackson led Baylor with 26 points and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player (MOP). It was the third NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) women’s basketball title for Baylor. The Lady Bears previously won in 2005 and 2012. Notre Dame won NCAA titles in 2001 and 2018.

The Baylor Lady Bears–including Most Outstanding Player Chloe Jackson (24)–celebrate their NCAA title at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on April 7, 2019. Credit: © Justin Tafoya, Getty Images

Baylor dominated early, taking a 43-31 lead into halftime. But Notre Dame stormed back, making up the deficit and battling to a 74-74 tie with 5:18 left in the fourth quarter. The evenly-matched teams then battled down the stretch, with Baylor prevailing by a single point. Led by Jackson and senior center Kalani Brown (20 points), the Lady Bears overcame Notre Dame’s scoring tandem of Arike Ogunbowale (31 points) and Marina Mabrey (21 points). In the Final Four semifinals, Notre Dame took out perennial powerhouse Connecticut, and Baylor downed Oregon.

Virginia guard Kyle Guy (5) attempts a shot against Texas Tech defenders during the NCAA men’s title game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on April 8, 2019. Credit: © Tom Pennington, Getty Images

On Monday night, April 8, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the University of Virginia Cavaliers defeated the Texas Tech Red Raiders 85-77 in overtime to win the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. Virginia, led by guards De’Andre Hunter (27 points) and Kyle Guy (24 points), carried a tight 3-point lead into halftime and held the advantage for most of the second half. Texas Tech rallied, however, to take a 3-point lead of their own into the game’s final minute. With just 12 seconds on the clock, a Hunter 3-pointer evened the score at 68-68 to send the game into overtime. The Cavaliers pulled away in the extra five minutes, outscoring the Red Raiders 17-9 for the title. Virginia’s Guy took home tournament MOP honors. 

It was the first NCAA championship game for both Virginia and Texas Tech, who knocked out Auburn and Michigan State, respectively, in the Final Four semifinals. Virginia entered the tournament as a number-1 seed, and Texas Tech was a 3 seed. Virginia’s first title was especially sweet following the team’s epic collapse in last year’s NCAA tournament. In 2018, Virginia became the first number-1 seed to lose to a 16 seed—the lowest—when the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) Retrievers shocked the Cavaliers 74-54.

March 27, 2019

With the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments in full swing across the United States, World Book looks back at the first NCAA basketball title game, which took place 80 years ago today on March 27, 1939. In that first championship, the University of Oregon men’s basketball team downed Ohio State 46-33 at the original Patten Gymnasium at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, just north of Chicago. The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) establishes athletic standards and official playing rules for college sports.

The 1939 NCAA national champion University of Oregon basketball team with members’ autographs at the bottom. From left to right, front row: Wally Johansen, Slim Wintermute, Bob Anet (holding trophy), coach Howard Hobson, Laddie Gale (holding trophy), and John Dick. Standing are: Bob Hardy, Evert McNeely, manager Jay Langston, Ford Mullen, Matt Pavalunas, trainer Bob Officer, Ted Sarpola, and Earl Sandness. Credit: University of Oregon

That first title team from Oregon was known as the Webfoots (today the team is known as the Ducks). The Webfoots sported five players known as the “Tall Firs” because of their towering stature (for the era)—they ranged from 6 feet 3 inches (1.9 meters) to 6 feet 8 inches (2 meters) tall. The Tall Firs dominated the tournament, but it was an Ohio State player, forward Jimmy Hull, who earned the first Most Outstanding Player award. The 5-foot-11-inch (1.8-meter) tall Hull averaged 19.3 points per game during the tourney.

There were some big differences between the tournament of 1939 and the modern “March Madness” that captures the attention of sports fans across the country every year. In 1939, just eight teams competed in the men’s tournament (68 teams compete today), and there was not yet a women’s competition (the first was held in 1972). And from the late 1930′s into the 1950′s, the NIT (National Invitation Tournament, first held in 1938) was considered the preeminent college basketball competition. (Long Island University, arguably the best team in the country in 1939, shunned that first NCAA tournament and went on to win the NIT.) The NIT has since been relegated to the also-rans who do not qualify for the NCAA tourney.

A few side notes to that first title game in 1939: in 2015, Oregon and Ohio State again challenged for a national championship, but this time in football. Ohio State won that title game, 42-20. In 2017, Oregon returned to the NCAA basketball final four for the first time since 1939 (but lost to North Carolina in the semifinal). Also in 2017, Northwestern, the host of the 1939 title game, finally qualified for its first NCAA tournament. Northwestern won its inaugural tourney game, but lost to Gonzaga in the second round.

January 9, 2019

On Monday, January 7, the Clemson University Tigers trounced the University of Alabama Crimson Tide 44-16 to win the College Football Playoff National Championship at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It was the second national championship in the past three years for Clemson and head coach Dabo Swinney. With the win, the Tigers became the first team in modern college football history with a 15-win undefeated season. Clemson’s victory also prevented legendary Alabama head coach Nick Saban from earning a seventh career national football championship.

Clemson’s A. J. Terrell returns an interception for a touchdown early in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Levi’s Stadium on Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, California. Credit: © Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images

On Alabama’s first possession, sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw an interception that was returned 44 yards for a touchdown by Clemson defensive back A. J. Terrell. But Alabama quickly scored on their following drive to tie the game at 7-7. The teams swapped scores through the end of the first quarter, but Clemson pulled ahead in the second for a 31-16 halftime lead. Clemson dominated the second half, adding two more touchdowns while stopping Alabama on three consecutive fourth-down conversion attempts.

Clemson’s final possession was an epic example of clock domination as they ran 14 plays to move 94 yards. After forcing an Alabama punt with 10:02 remaining in the game, Clemson took over the ball on their own 1-yard line. A series of runs and first downs then slowly shoved the Crimson Tide defense backward as the clock ticked the season away. The game ended following a fourth-down run by Clemson’s Adam Choice, who fought to Alabama’s 5-yard line on the final play.

Clemson freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence finished the game with three touchdown passes and no interceptions, completing 20 of 32 passes for 347 yards. Lawrence shared the game’s most valuable player honors with junior cornerback Trayvon Mullen, who anchored the defense with six tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a 46-yard interception return.

Rarely have two teams dominated college football more than Alabama and Clemson did during the 2018 season. Alabama began the year ranked number one in the country. Clemson reached the number two ranking nine weeks into the season. Both teams went 13-0 during the regular season. In the four-team College Football Playoff that began on December 29, second-ranked Clemson easily dispatched third-ranked Notre Dame 30-3 at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas. Top seed Alabama jumped out early against fourth-ranked Oklahoma at the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida, and held on for a 45-34 win to set up the national championship title game.

This was the fourth straight year that Alabama and Clemson have faced each other in the College Football Playoff, and the third time they have matched up in the national championship. Alabama defeated Clemson in the 2016 title game. Clemson beat Alabama to win the championship in 2017. In 2018, Alabama took out Clemson in the playoff before defeating Georgia in the title game.

June 29, 2018

Last night, on June 28, the Oregon State University (OSU) Beavers defeated the University of Arkansas Razorbacks 5-0 to win a thrilling College World Series. OSU won the best-of-three series two games to one for its third baseball national title. After a hard-fought series filled with future Major League Baseball stars, the final out in the ninth inning seemed as much a relief as a celebration as the Beavers collapsed in a joyous “dogpile” behind the pitcher’s mound at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.

Oregon State ballplayers pose with the NCAA national championship trophy and their mascot, Benny Beaver, after defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks in the College World Series on June 28, 2018. Credit: © Peter Aiken, Getty Images

The College World Series (CWS) is the culmination of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Baseball Championship tournament. The tournament begins with 64 teams, but only the final 8 advance to the CWS. (World Series is a trademark of Major League Baseball licensed to the NCAA). Arkansas won the west division of the Southeastern Conference and rolled through the early parts of the tournament to reach the tense CWS bracket. The Razorbacks then knocked off Texas, Texas Tech, and defending champion Florida to reach the finals. Oregon State finished second in the Pacific-12 Conference before battling their way to the CWS. OSU lost its first game to North Carolina, but the team rebounded from the loser’s bracket to beat Washington, take revenge on North Carolina, and down Mississippi State in the semifinals.

NCAA 2018 Men’s College World Series logo. Credit: © NCAA

In game one of the CWS Finals, Arkansas starter Blaine Knight gave up a single run through seven tough innings before a decidedly pro-Razorback crowd in Omaha. OSU pushed its run across in the second and was poised to do more damage in the bottom of the fourth, but a controversial interference call negated a second run, killed a rally, and proved the turning point in the game. Immediately after, in the top of the fifth, Arkansas erupted for four runs against OSU starter Luke Heimlich. With baseball karma fully behind Arkansas, the innings ticked away as OSU line drives found Razorback gloves and close calls went against the Beavers. The 4-1 Arkansas win thrilled the boisterous Omahog fans (Razorback—Hog—fans in Omaha) chanting the wooo pig sooie hog call.

In an epic game two, Arkansas struck first with a tally in the second, but OSU responded with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. A two-run bottom of the fifth gave the Razorbacks a precarious 3-2 lead, but Arkansas relievers kept the stout Beaver lineup in check through to the ninth inning. With the Omahogs roaring in the stands, lefty closer Matt Cronin brought Arkansas to within one out of the championship. OSU and its outnumbered Beaver fans refused to give in, however, and shortstop Cadyn Grenier stepped to the plate with the tying run at third and the season resting on his shoulders. It all appeared over as Grenier popped a lazy foul down the right field line. In a moment of karma reversal, however, the ball fell to the ground between three incredulous Arkansas fielders. Reprieved, Grenier stung a base hit to tie the game. Power-hitting outfielder Trevor Larnach then drilled a laser-beam homer to right for a stadium-silencing 5-3 OSU lead and the win.

Oregon State’s momentum continued in the deciding game three as the Beavers scored two runs in the bottom of the first. Lone runs in the third and fifth gave OSU freshman starter Kevin Abel a 4-0 advantage, which was more than he needed. In the bottom of the eighth, a fifth Beaver run only confirmed what had already been decided. Abel retired the 27th and final out on a grounder to short, completing the game for a mitt-tossing party. Abel struck out 10 batters in his 9 innings and surrendered just 2 Razorback hits.

The CWS win was Oregon State’s third. The team’s previous titles came in 2006 and 2007. Arkansas has yet to win the baseball title, but it was the team’s second trip to the CWS Finals. The Razorbacks lost the 1979 championship to Cal State Fullerton. The CWS has been held in Omaha, Nebraska—a central and generally neutral location—since 1950. The series was played at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium—once the largest minor league stadium in the United States—through 2010. TD Ameritrade Park has hosted the CWS since it opened in 2011.

January 9, 2018

Last night, on January 8, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide needed a magnificent performance by an unlikely hero to grind out a second half comeback and a 26-23 overtime victory over the University of Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The victory gave Alabama head coach Nick Saban an unprecedented fifth national football championship in the past nine years. The win also established the Crimson Tide as the first great college football dynasty of the 21^st century.

Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith catches a 41-yard touchdown pass in overtime to give the Crimson Tide a 26-23 victory over Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Jan. 8, 2018. Credit: © Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images

Up against a stout Georgia defense, Alabama trailed 13-0 at halftime. But Alabama’s top-ranked defense kept the game within reach, stunting the Bulldog’s vaunted running game and twice intercepting Georgia freshman quarterback Jake Fromm. To start the second half, Saban pulled sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts, who had started most of Alabama’s games during the season. Saban sent in freshman backup Tua Tagovailoa, and the Hawaiian quarterback quickly led a third quarter touchdown drive to close the gap to 13-7. Georgia struck back with an 80-yard touchdown pass from Fromm to make it 20-7. Alabama notched two field goals to make the score 20-13 before the confident Tagovailoa drove the Crimson Tide downfield for the tying touchdown. Alabama missed a field goal that would have capped their comeback win in regulation time.

Georgia, who had defeated Oklahoma in double overtime in the college championship playoff a week ago, got the ball to start overtime play against the Crimson Tide. The Bulldog drive stalled, but kicker Rodrigo Blankenship made good on a 51-yard field goal. The Alabama possession started off poorly as Tagovailoa was sacked for a 16-yard loss. But on the next play, he hit freshman receiver DeVonta Smith on a 41-yard touchdown pass to complete the epic comeback. The win gave Saban a total of 6 national championships (his first came with Louisiana State University in 2003), equaling the title total of legendary Alabama head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.

In the four-team college football playoff, Alabama avenged their defeat in last year’s title game by beating the defending national champion Clemson Tigers 24-6 in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on New Year’s Day. Clemson enjoyed a 12-1 season and had gone into the NCAA playoff ranked number 1 in the country. Alabama went 11-1 during the season, but the team barely made the playoffs as the number 4 seed. Many football fans thought that spot should have gone to 11-2 Ohio State instead. Southeastern Conference champion Georgia (12-1) entered the playoff as the number 3 team against the second-ranked Oklahoma Sooners. The Bulldogs needed double overtime to scratch out a thrilling 54-48 victory over the Sooners at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day to set up the national title game. It was the first overtime game in Rose Bowl history.

June 28, 2017

Last night, June 27, the University of Florida Gators defeated the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers 6-1 to win the College World Series. Florida won the best-of-three series 2 games to 0 for its first baseball national title. After the final out in the ninth inning, the Gators stormed the field and collided in a joyous pile of ballplayers behind the pitcher’s mound at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.

University of Florida players celebrate the final out of the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 27, 2017. Florida won the series 2 games to 0 over Louisiana State University. Credit: © Jamie Schwaberow, NCAA/Getty Images

The College World Series (CWS) is the culmination of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Baseball Championship tournament. The tournament begins with 64 teams, but only the final 8 advance to the CWS. (World Series is a trademark of Major League Baseball licensed to the NCAA). Southeastern Conference rivals Florida and LSU rolled through the early parts of the tournament to reach the tense CWS brackets. LSU knocked off top-ranked Oregon State University to reach the finals. Florida bested a tough Texas Christian University club in its semifinals.

In game one of the CWS Finals, Florida stifled late-inning LSU rallies to eke out a 4-3 win. Pitcher Brady Singer struck out 12 over 7 innings for the Gators, and the lineup pushed just enough runs across to hold off a 9-hit Tiger attack. In game two, Florida starter Tyler Dyson blanked the Tigers for six innings, leaving in the seventh with a 2-0 lead. LSU jumped on Gator reliever Michael Byrne, scoring a run and putting runners at first and third with no outs. Power-hitting LSU catcher Michael Papierski rolled into a double play, but a controversial interference call at second base prevented the tying run from scoring from third. The Gators escaped the inning with a 2-1 lead.

LSU had another golden scoring chance in the eighth, putting runners at first and third with no outs against Byrne and then Gator pitcher Jackson Kowar. But a strikeout, fielder’s choice at the plate, and line out netted zero runs. The Gators responded with four runs in their half of the eighth to make it 6-1, completely deflating the LSU ball club. The Tigers managed a single in the ninth before Kowar got the last out on a chopper to second.

The CWS win was Florida’s first. LSU has six CWS titles, winning in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, and 2009. The CWS has been held in Omaha, Nebraska—a central and generally neutral location—since 1950. The series was played at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium—once the largest minor league stadium in the United States—through 2010. TD Ameritrade Park has hosted the CWS since it opened in 2011.