Alabama and Georgia faced off for a highly anticipated matchup between two teams ranked near the top of the heap, and the Dawgs prevailed by a score of 20-17.
Things started out OK for the offense, as the Tide took the opening kick and marched into Georgia territory. Unfortunately a 3rd down mix-up on the right side of the line left a rusher free for a sack/fumble. Georgia took the ball and promptly found itself deep in Alabama territory, running the football far more successfully than Alabama fans were hoping to see. They even punched it into the end zone on an explosive edge run, but it was called back because Yhonzae Pierre was held at the point of attack.
Georgia did convert a field goal to go up 3-0, then after some punts were exchanged put together a solid touchdown drive to go up ten. The crowd was understandably a bit uneasy at that point, but to this young team’s credit they continued to fight. Trae’shawn Brown got loose down the left sideline to get the ball into Georgia territory, and Keelon Russell promptly found Marshall Pritchett to get Alabama on the board. EJ Crowell would then add a 1-yard score on the last play of the half to send Alabama into the locker room with a 14-10 lead.
Georgia got the ball to open the second half, and the Alabama defense had absolutely no answer for them on the ground or through the air. Like so many passers have this season, Gunner Stockton picked on Dijon Lee for a deep ball, then called his own number on a zone read to finish the drive and take a 17-14 lead. Alabama answered with a nice drive of its own but fizzled out in the red zone. Conor Talty knocked home a field goal to tie things up at 17.
Georgia moved the ball and had possession in Alabama territory to open the 4th quarter, but Alabama got off the field and the usually reliable Peyton Woodring pulled a field goal attempt wide left, affording Keelon Russell and company an opportunity to take control of the game. Russell converted a 3rd and 2 on a scramble to get the ball across midfield. After a couple of runs, Russell hit Ryan Coleman-Williams on a slant but the ball was dislodged on what looked like a textbook targeting foul by Georgia safety KJ Bolden. Somehow, a helmet to helmet collision that put a defenseless receiver into concussion protocol was deemed clean, and Alabama was forced to punt.
Georgia muffed the punt, but they were able to get back on the football. It was the fourth time on the evening that the Dawgs put the ball on the ground without losing any of them. Alabama stuffed the run twice to get them in third and long, and were able to get pressure on Stockton. Unfortunately he got the ball out, and Georgia receiver Craig Dandridge was able to secure the ball despite a bobble with Zabien Brown doing all he could to get it out.
You have to get off the field against elite offenses. Alabama didn’t, and Georgia took full advantage. They ripped off two explosive runs to get into scoring territory. The Tide defense stood up again in the red zone, as Bray Hubbard broke up a pass in the end zone that he very nearly intercepted. Woodring was true this time, and his field goal put the Dawgs up 20-17.
That would be the deciding score, as the officials somehow managed to swallow a flag on a pass interference in the end zone. Bolden was beaten badly and frankly seemed to give the foul to avoid a touchdown, but it somehow didn’t get called. It was difficult to understand, to say the least.
There was still time on the clock, but to his credit Stockton made another big throw on a critical third down. Dijon Lee then decided to shove a Georgia player after the whistle to salt the game away. There will undoubtedly be consequences for those actions, but it likely didn’t affect the outcome.
When all was said and done, Alabama had two near misses on interceptions, five balls that Georgia put on the ground without losing any, and the aforementioned controversial plays. The bottom line is that these two teams are evenly matched and any game between them is likely to come down to a few plays. Alabama probably has more upside with as much youth as there is on the roster, and hopefully they will reach that ceiling. Keelon Russell made some downright unbelievable plays tonight, but still has plenty of room to grow.
There is still some ball on for you tonight. Schedule courtesy of CFBGrid.com.
