Comeback Denied: Alabama Survives Georgia 41-34

©John David Mercer-Imagn Images

The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) survived a comeback for the ages from the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1) on Sept. 28 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Bulldogs were down at one point 30-7 and came all the way back to take the lead late in the fourth quarter 34-33. That is when Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe connected with his favorite target, freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams for a 75-yard touchdown to seal the victory 41-34.

Game Summary

This one was a game for the ages and was a battle till the very end. Alabama came out and scored touchdowns on their first four drives to take a 28-0 lead and the Georgia defense had no answers.

The game looked completely lost for the Bulldogs when it was a 30-7 lead for the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs were having to claw their way back in it the whole game.

That is until the Bulldogs and quarterback Carson Beck made adjustments and turned it on late in the fourth quarter. They got three straight stops on defense and scored touchdowns on each responding drive. The Bulldogs had drives of 6 plays 80-yards, 4 plays 78-yards, and 1 play 67-yards, to take the lead 34-33 late.

Until the Bulldogs forgot how to tackle and kept leaving Williams open. Milroe connected with Williams on the very next play for the 75-yard score and then defensive back Zabien Brown picked off Beck in the end zone with :43 left to seal the deal.

Turning Point: Alabama

The true turning point in this game came from a turnover that the Alabama defense created early in the fourth quarter when it looked like the Bulldogs had something going.

The Bulldogs were down 33-15 and were driving into Alabama territory until Beck decided he did not see anyone open and decided to scramble and Crimson Tide linebacker Qua Russaw stripped him and recovered the fumble.

The fumble ended the possible momentum that the Bulldogs had and ended that drive where the Bulldogs were trying to draw within two scores.

What It Means

For the Crimson Tide and head coach Kalen DeBoer, this was quite the victory for them, under their home lights and a top-3 victory. Despite the almost massive blown lead, they got it done and Milroe and Williams are an amazing duo in their offense. In Week 5, the Crimson Tide will meet the Vanderbilt Commodores (2-2, -01) on the roadat 4:15 p.m. EST on Oct. 5 on SEC Network.

For the Bulldogs, it's back to the drawing board. They almost pulled off an amazing comeback in a hostile environment despite Beck looking awful in the first half. They will host the Auburn Tigers (2-3, 0-2) in Week 5 at 3:30 p.m. EST on Oct. 5 on ABC.