Carson Beck’s pass attempt to the end zone was intercepted by Alabama freshman Zabien Brown, clinching an exciting 41-34 victory for Alabama over Georgia in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Both teams showcased their talent in a thrilling matchup that featured quarterbacks Jalen Milroe and Carson Beck, even with Kalen DeBoer taking over as the Tide’s head coach for this Southeastern Conference opener.
Milroe connected with Ryan Williams for a spectacular 75-yard touchdown pass with just 2:18 remaining. This led Alabama, ranked fourth, to snap a two-game losing streak against second-ranked Georgia, who previously had a strong hold on the game. Brown’s interception capped off the night, ensuring the victory for the Crimson Tide.
DeBoer expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating, “We pushed each other to the very end,” highlighting the competitive spirit between the two programs, both of which have historically contended for SEC and national championships.
After the game, DeBoer emphasized the team’s expectations moving forward. “We expect to win these games. Of course, the locker room is full of excitement, but I also want to make sure they realize that’s the expectation. There’s a lot of season left.”
Milroe had a standout performance, completing 27 of 33 passes for 374 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 117 yards and two additional scores. Williams contributed significantly with six receptions for 177 yards.
Beck played valiantly as well, throwing for 439 yards and three touchdowns despite throwing three interceptions, marking the first time in his career he had multiple interceptions in a single game. He leads Georgia as a starter with a 16-2 record, both losses coming against Alabama.
Georgia made a fierce comeback, scoring three touchdowns in the last 9:46 of the game after trailing 28-0 early in the second quarter. This performance, however, was not enough to erase Alabama’s strong start, as the Tide reached the end zone on their first four drives against a previously impenetrable Bulldogs defense.
“That first half, we played terrible,” Beck admitted. “That starts with me. I’ve got to be better. But I’m happy about how we fought; we brought it all the way back and took the lead, just weren’t able to close it out.”
Both teams are on different paths moving forward. Georgia, despite being vulnerable in recent outings, showed resilience, while Alabama, under DeBoer’s leadership, continues to thrive offensively.
Next, Alabama will face Vanderbilt in their first SEC road game, while Georgia will host Auburn.