Georgia 20, Alabama 17: Three Takeaways From Bulldogs’ Massive Road Win in Tuscaloosa

When Alabama and Georgia get together on the gridiron, there’s a good chance that a classic game will come as a result. That has often been the case so far when Kalen DeBoer’s Crimson Tide face Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs, with thrillers in the 2024 and ’25 regular seasons.

Tonight’s game gave us more of the same. Georgia went up 10–0 midway through the second quarter after a pair of beautiful throws by Gunner Stockton, but that seemed to wake up the Alabama offense. A 58-yard run by Trae’shawn Brown set up a 22-yard touchdown pass from Keelon Russell, who was cold on the first few Tide drives, to Marshall Pritchett.

Russell continued his impressive play to end the half, leading a 12-play, 80-yard drive capped by an extremely gutsy call by Kalen DeBoer to go for it on third-and-goal from the one-yard line with just three seconds left. EJ Crowell scored on an off-tackle run after motioning into the backfield to put Bama up 14–10 at the half.

Georgia recovered in the second half, scoring on the first drive after the break and holding the Tide to a single third-quarter field goal. A controversial no-call on the final Alabama drive ultimately led to a Tide punt, and the Bulldogs were able to run the clock to seal a win.

The stakes of an Alabama-Georgia game aren’t what they once were; last year’s SEC title game didn’t knock the Crimson Tide from the College Football Playoff. However, any game between two teams of this caliber is must-watch, and could again be a preview of the conference title game in Atlanta.

Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde is in Tuscaloosa for Saturday’s epic showdown. Follow along for stats, highlights and major takeaways from Georgia’s big win. —Dan Lyons

Gunner Stockton answered a big question about Georgia offense—and himself 

Entering the season, the prevailing question about the Georgia Bulldogs concerned their efficient and methodical offense. Could it generate enough explosive plays to win the big games? And could Stockton do enough to create some of those plays through the air? 

Those questions were at the forefront as Georgia prepared to take on Alabama, who had stymied Stockton a year ago in a 24–21 Crimson Tide victory. 

Stockton had a resounding answer for such questions. He had just four incompletions, one of which was an interception, and rarely put the ball in harm’s way in a 20–17 victory over a tough Tide defense. He averaged 11.3 yards per pass. On three of the Bulldogs’ four scoring drives, Stockton had at least one pass play of 20 yards or more. 

He zipped the ball into tight windows. He was money on third downs. He used his legs when they were needed, such as on a second-and-9 from the Alabama 14-yard line, when he scampered into the end zone for a 14-yard score on a QB keeper. 

Stockton was undoubtedly aided by his running game, but in many ways, this was his best performance of the year against Georgia’s best opponent yet. 

Smart’s back-to-back title-winning teams in 2021 and 2022 could put together methodical drives but also had the ability to deliver body blows in the form of explosives. This year’s Bulldogs team appears to have the ingredients to do the same, unlike last year’s. —Tim Capurso

Kalen DeBoer was justified in being furious after an uncalled pass interference in the end zone

With 3:28 left in the fourth quarter, Keelon Russell looked for Rico Scott in the end zone for what would’ve been a go-ahead touchdown, but the receiver was run over by Georgia star defensive back KJ Bolden on what looked like a clear pass interference on replay. Bolden made no play on the ball, shoving Scott in the chest before the ball got there.

On the very next play, it was Bolden who was in on a sack, along with Valdin Sone, of Russell, knocking the Tide out of field goal range and forcing the punt. They never got the ball back. 

DeBoer lost it on the no-call, and while the slow-motion replay certainly justified his reaction, it looked pretty clear in real time as well, so much so that ABC’s Chris Fowler said, “Here comes a flag. Has to be, no?” as the play unfolded.

No flag came, and while no team plays for calls from the refs, in a deadlocked game between two evenly matched teams, the lack of a call there was glaring. —D.L.

Georgia accomplished Kirby Smart’s goal—Alabama definitely felt the Dawgs rushing attack

“I just want them to feel us. I just want ’em to feel us, I want to pound the ball,” Smart said of his goals for Georgia in the game after the win.

Mission accomplished.

Stockton, an interception and a few other very risky throws aside, was magnificent, but it was the Bulldogs’ rushing attack that set the stage for Saturday’s win. Pound the ball they did.

Dwight Phillips Jr. led the way with 120 yards on 17 carries. Bo Walker added 69 yards on 10 carries. Both backs had explosive rushes of 20-plus yards on Georgia’s go-ahead field goal drive midway through the fourth quarter. The Dawgs ran the ball 39 times and passed just 22, and in their final four drives. In the second half, they ran it 24 times to just 11 pass attempts, grinding out a win against a dangerous offense, and only giving Russell & Co. three second-half possessions. —D.L.

Alabama vs. Georgia live updates, stats and takeaways

Key players and stats from Alabama–Georgia

Alabama Crimson Tide

• QB Keelon Russell: 16 for 30, 185 yards, one TD; nine carries, 41 yards
• RB Trae’Shawn Brown: nine carries, 90 yards
• WR Ryan Coleman-Williams: three receptions, 39 yards
• DB Bray Hubbard: eight tackles, one INT
• LB Yhonzae Pierre: four tackles, one sack

Georgia Bulldogs

• QB Gunner Stockton: 18 for 22, 249 yards, one TD, one INT; six carries, 12 yards, one TD
• RB Dwight Phillips Jr: 17 carries, 120 yards
• RB Bo Walker: 10 carries, 69 yards
• LB Chris Cole: eight tackles (2.5 TFLs), one sacks
• DB KJ Bolden: seven tackles, 1/2 sack

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