Eric Boggs 
Alabama gave up a big lead against Georgia but managed to make a fourth quarter comeback of their own.
In a thrilling SEC showdown, Alabama pulled off a dramatic 41-34 victory over No. 2 Georgia, overcoming a furious second-half comeback from the Bulldogs. The Crimson Tide, led by quarterback Jalen Milroe, seemed to be cruising with a 28-point lead before Georgia stormed back to make it a nail-biting finish at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Alabama jumped out to a commanding 28-0 lead early in the game, thanks to Milroe’s dual-threat dominance. He ran for two early touchdowns and threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jam Miller, while freshman cornerback Domani Jackson’s interception set up another score on a 7-yard end-around by wide receiver Germie Bernard. The Tide’s defense also pressured Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, who threw two interceptions and was penalized for intentional grounding in his own end zone, giving Alabama a safety.
Despite the disastrous start, Georgia began to chip away at the deficit. Beck found his rhythm, throwing for 439 yards and three touchdowns. A 67-yard touchdown strike to Dillon Bell late in the fourth quarter gave Georgia its first lead of the game at 34-33 with just 2:31 left. The Bulldogs, known for their resilience, looked poised to complete the comeback and stun the Crimson Tide.
But Alabama answered immediately. On the very next play from scrimmage, Milroe threw a deep ball to 17-year-old freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams. Williams made a spectacular play, spinning out of a tackle and racing 75 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Milroe then connected with Bernard on a two-point conversion to give Alabama a 41-34 lead with 2:18 remaining.
Georgia wasn’t done yet. The Bulldogs quickly marched down the field to Alabama’s 20-yard line, but freshman cornerback Zabien Brown made a game-saving interception in the end zone with 43 seconds left, sealing the victory for Alabama.
Milroe’s performance was nothing short of legendary. He finished with 374 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an additional 117 yards rushing with two more scores. According to ESPN, he became the first player in FBS history to have 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns in a game against a top-five opponent.
Alabama’s defense also came up big in critical moments. Brown’s interception was the second of the game for the Crimson Tide, who also got a pick from Jackson in the first half. Though Georgia’s second-half rally was impressive, Alabama’s defensive front wreaked havoc early, keeping Beck under pressure and forcing turnovers.
For Georgia, the loss ended several remarkable streaks, including a 42-game regular-season winning run and a 16-game road winning streak. Beck, who struggled in the first half, rebounded to give the Bulldogs a chance, completing 27 of 50 passes for 439 yards and three touchdowns. However, his three interceptions and a lost fumble proved costly.
The defeat marks another chapter in Alabama’s dominance over Georgia, as the Tide have now won nine of their last 10 meetings, including a crucial win in last year’s SEC Championship Game that kept the Bulldogs out of the College Football Playoff. Georgia coach Kirby Smart fell to 1-6 against Alabama during his tenure, and the Bulldogs now face an uphill battle to secure a playoff spot this season.
Despite the loss, Georgia still has a path to redemption, though it will be a tough one. The Bulldogs have challenging matchups ahead, including road games at No. 1 Texas and No. 6 Ole Miss, and a home game against No. 5 Tennessee. They will need to regroup quickly if they hope to stay in the playoff hunt.
For Alabama, the win was a statement of resilience under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer. “When you face a really good football team, you know there’s going to be a strong push,” DeBoer said. “We pushed each other to the very end.” The victory not only showcased the poise of Milroe and the playmaking ability of Williams but also solidified Alabama as a serious contender in the SEC and national title race.
As the Tide celebrate this instant classic, the Bulldogs will be left wondering what might have been, but both teams remain in the thick of the playoff picture as the season heats up.
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