Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff: 79 Days
We’ve discussed National Championships quite a bit recently here on the Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff and today will be no different. 79 days until Georgia and Oregon in the 2022 season opener, we take a look back at a 79-yard play that sealed the deal for the Bulldogs the last time they took the field, January 10th in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Alabama.
Of course, we’re talking about Kelee Ringo‘s interception and 79-yard return for a touchdown. On 3rd and 10 from the Georgia 44, Bryce Young took the snap in shotgun formation with 1:09 remaining in the game. Young and the Crimson Tide trailed 26-18, and while it felt like the championship was Georgia’s with Alabama needing a touchdown and a two-point conversion against the stout Dawgs’ defense, you can never rule anything out when these two teams meet.
Young dropped back in the pocket with four Georgia players rushing. He threw to the near side of the field targeting Traeshon Holden downfield. The pass was underthrown however and Ringo was there to make Young pay for his mistake.
Leaping into the air, Ringo came down with the interception. With blockers, he takes off much to the displeasure of his head coach Kirby Smart who was signaling for him to get down from the sidelines. Then came the runback that will go down in history as Ringo followed the escort of William Poole, Christopher Smith and Dan Jackson down the sideline. Smart, who had landed from his own leap, was still signaling for Ringo to get down. Ringo wasn’t about to do that. He passes Travon Walker, Nolan Smith and Channing Tindall before Jackson laid his body on the line in order for Ringo to cross the goal line 79 yards after he intercepted it.
And with that, the game was over. While there were still 54 seconds left on the clock, the Bulldogs were ahead by two scores, and the party was on.
“I’ve been asked about that play countless, many a times,” Ringo told reporters this spring. “Just being able to explain it, see ball, get ball. That’s something that Coach Smart teaches us every single day: being able to find the ball in the air, and if you can’t do that you’re definitely going to struggle in this league … But, talking about it, I mean like, I just turned around and was able to catch the ball. It was just like backyard football. When I caught it, I just felt like I was on offense and my teammates were right behind me trying to help me.”
“What he can’t do is let that play distract or deter his development,” Kirby Smart added. “He’ll be the first to tell you that he made an outstanding play, a play that will live in glory and be great, but he also had some plays in the game that weren’t so good. He’s got some tackling situations that he has to improve on.”
Recent Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff Stories
No. 80 – Legendary calls from Larry Munson on Georgia’s run to National Championship
No. 81 – Georgia takes home the title with win in 1981 Sugar Bowl
No. 82 – Fred Gibson still gives Clemson fans nightmares
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