Alabama blows 28-0 lead, escapes Georgia on late touchdown
Alabama blows 28-0 lead, escapes Georgia on late touchdown
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama squandered a 28-point lead against No. 2 Georgia at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night, only to rally for a thrilling 41-34 victory. The No. 4 Crimson Tide secured the win with back-to-back touchdowns late in the fourth quarter in a showdown of SEC powerhouses.
The game wasn't decided until Alabama cornerback Zabien Brown intercepted Georgia quarterback Carson Beck's pass intended for receiver Colbie Young in the end zone with just 43 seconds left, stopping Georgia's furious comeback attempt.
After trailing by 23 points at halftime, Georgia clawed back, taking their first lead when Beck connected with Dillon Bell for a 67-yard touchdown, putting the Bulldogs ahead 34-33 with 2:31 remaining.
But Alabama quickly answered. On the very next play, quarterback Jalen Milroe hit freshman receiver Ryan Williams with a deep pass down the right sideline. Williams spun out of a tackle at the 8-yard line and raced into the end zone for a 75-yard touchdown, giving Alabama a 39-34 lead with 2:18 left. Milroe then completed a 2-point conversion pass to receiver Germie Bernard to make it 41-34.
Milroe had an extraordinary performance, completing 27 of 33 passes for 374 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 117 yards and two scores. According to ESPN Research, he became the first player in FBS history to throw for 300 yards, rush for 100 yards, and score two rushing touchdowns against a top-five opponent.
Freshman Ryan Williams was also a standout, recording six catches for 177 yards and one touchdown.
Carson Beck recovered from a shaky start to finish with 27 completions on 50 attempts for 439 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also lost a fumble and was sacked three times.
The loss snapped Georgia's 42-game regular-season winning streak, the longest since Oklahoma's 45-game streak from 1953 to 1957, and ended their 16-game road winning streak.
The game marked new Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer's first clash with Georgia, but the result was familiar: Alabama has now won nine of the last 10 matchups against the Bulldogs, including last year’s 27-24 victory in the SEC Championship that kept Georgia out of the College Football Playoff.
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