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Georgia vs. Alabama final score: Zabien Brown intercepts, crushes Georgia's comeback hopes

marc weiszer and sara tidwell, athens banner-herald
·12 min read

(This story was updated to add new information.)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Georgia Bulldogs almost had the comeback of the century, but fell just short in the final three minutes of the game to Alabama, 41-34.

The Bulldogs had a rough start, with Carson Beck headed into halftime having only completed eight passes total. A rushing touchdown and failed two-point conversion was all they could account for headed to the locker rooms.

They regained momentum in the second half, with a receiving touchdown from Arian Smith for 12-yards and a successful two-point conversion.

From there, it was like a wave. Georgia outscored Alabama in the second half 27-11, with touchdowns from Lawson Luckie and two from Dillon Bell, including a 67-yard dot that gave them the lead, if only briefly — like not even two seconds brief. Ryan Williams ran it back 75-yards in response.

The Bulldogs made a strong push in the final two minutes, getting all the way to the Alabama 20-yard line thanks to an automatic first down. Beck picked up his third interception on the night when Zabien Brown got his hands on the pass in the end zone to settle the game.

Pregame

Nick Saban had Georgia football's number during his 17 years of making Alabama the premier program in college football. He went 8-2 against the Bulldogs including winning eight of the last nine.

Here comes new Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer for his first matchup against a program that has won two national titles since Alabama won its last.

It’s No. 1 Georgia against No. 4 Alabama tonight in what’s now Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

“We need to do our part to make the environment special, to be able to get our fans into it,” DeBoer said.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart is 97-16 in his ninth season as a head coach. DeBoer is 107-12 in his 10th including a trip to the national championship game last season with Washington.

“His record speaks for itself,” Smart said. “Everywhere he's been he's been successful. He's very confident in what he does and his organizational methods. …In the situation he's in you've got to be pretty confident in your own skin to go in there and do things your way, especially with the record they've had. It seems like he's done that without any issue or problem.”

Smart had DeBoer on his radar for the first time at Washington starting a couple of years ago because he went up against Oregon and former Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning. Washington won all three games the last two seasons against Oregon by three points each time.

Smart talked to Lanning about going up against DeBoer in the offseason.

“He didn't have the most success either,” Smart said. “He's had some tough games and some tough decisions against him.”

Georgia players are motivated by last year’s loss in the SEC championship game, but some were part of the team that beat Alabama in 2021 for the national title. Linebacker Smael Mondon was asked if beating Alabama is like a Mount Everest to climb.

“I wouldn’t even say it’s like getting over a mountain because we did that before,” he said.

11:32 p.m. FINAL | Alabama 41, Georgia 34

Georgia (3-1, 1-1 SEC) suffers its first regular season road loss in a long time in Tuscaloosa. Alabama defeated the Bulldogs 41-34 thanks to a 75-yard touchdown and interception in the final minutes of the game. The Bulldogs will host Auburn (2-3, 0-2) on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.

11:31 p.m. Zabien Brown intercepts Carson Beck on winning touchdown attempt

The Bulldogs made a strong comeback in the final two minutes of the game, getting an automatic first down to line up at the Alabama 20. However, the pass was intercepted, Carson Beck's third of the night, by Zabien Brown in the end zone. 34 seconds left on the clock.

11:14 p.m. Alabama runs it back 75 yards to regain the lead

Alabama's Ryan Williams ran it back on the very next play 75-yards to steal the lead back for the Crimson Tide. Not much glory for Georgia as the board goes 41-34 with 2:18 on the clock.

11:13 p.m. Georgia makes insane comeback off 67-yard TD pass

Carson Beck connected to Dillon Bell on a singular 67-yard pass to cap an 11-second drive and put Georgia in the lead for the first time all night. 34-33 Georgia with 2:31 left to go.

11:04 p.m. Dillon Bell brings the game within a single TD

Carson Beck finally connected a deep pass to his receiver in the backfield, Arian Smith. A 47-yard dot set up a 1st and goal for the Bulldogs, and while Jared Wilson went down on the first attempt, Dillon Bell was able to get it in on the second. Peyton Woodring kicked the PAT to bring the game within one touchdown. The score is 33-28 Alabama with 5:39 to go in the fourth quarter.

10:46 p.m. Lawson Luckie gets another six for Georgia

Lawson Luckie caps a six-play, 80-yard drive with an eight-yard reception touchdown from Carson Beck. The Bulldogs attempt to go for two again, but Beck's pass is broken up. The score is 33-21 Alabama with 9:46 to go in the fourth quarter.

10:30 p.m. Grant Nicholson adds three with Alabama field goal

Alabama adds another three to its score with a 28-yard field goal from Grant Nicholson. Headed into the fourth quarter, it's 33-15 Alabama.

10:16 p.m. Alabama penalty sets up automatic first down turned score for Georgia

Off-setting penalties on Georgia and Alabama allowed the Bulldogs to run it back for 4th and 5 a second time. The second attempt for a first down was almost scratched, but a pass interference call on Alabama set up the automatic to set up a score two plays later when Carson Beck delivered to Dominic Lovett and then Arian Smith. Luckie Lawson kept tight hold on the pass from Beck to successful add an extra two.

9:18 p.m. Carson Beck intentional grounding results in safety

Alabama goes ahead 30-7 after Carson Beck undelivered a ball while under pressure in the end zone. The intentional grounding call means its a safety. There's 1:39 to go in the first half.

8:52 p.m. Trevor Etienne touchdown gets Georgia on the scoreboard

Trevor Etienne converted a fourth-and-1 run to keep a Georgia drive alive in its own territory and then scored on a 7-yard touchdown run. Georgia went for a two-point conversion but after an offensive pass interference penalty, the Bulldogs settled for a PAT. It's 28-7 Alabama with 6:43 to go in the first quarter,

8:41 p.m. Alabama four drives, four touchdown

Jalen Milroe is looking Heisman Trophy-worthy. Milroe is 9 of 9 for 128 yards and just raced down sideline for a 36-yard touchdown. Alabama leads 28-0 with 12:24 to go in the second quarter.

8:26 p.m. Carson Beck interception sets up another Alabama touchdown

Carson Beck's third down interception on a short pass set up Alabama with terrific field position. Alabama cashed in with a 7-yard touchdown run by wide receiver Germie Bernard. Alabama leads 21-0 with 2:21 to go in the first quarter.

8:17 p.m. Georgia hits danger zone territory early

Alabama is having its way with the Georgia defense. The Crimson Tide marched 84 yards on 6 plays to take a 14-0 lead on a Jalen Milroe 16-yard touchdown pass to running back Jam Miller. The Crimson Tide are averaging 12.1 yards per play.

7:58 p.m. Alabama drives down field for opening touchdown

That was an impressive opening drive. Alabama went 70 yards on 8 plays, getting an 7-yard touchdown run from Jaklen Milroe. That's the first touchdown given up by the Bulldogs this season. Milroe was 3 of 3 for 44 yards that drive.

7:07 p.m. Mykel Williams looks like he has some juice

Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams had some bounce his his step after stretching with the Bulldogs during pregame warmups and running to the end zone. He was next to Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Warren Brinson who is also returning from injury.

The return of Williams from a grade 2 ankle sprain will be a boost to the defensive front even if he doesn't get his regular assortment of snaps.

Jordan Hall made the trip, but is not dressed out.

6:51 p.m. The commissioner and a dog

The scene now at midfield here: SEC commissioner Greg Sankey chatting with folks and ESPN's Kirk Hebrstreit hanging out there with his golden retriever, Ben.

6:21 p.m. Georgia football game captains

Georgia going with the marquee players as game captains tonight: quarterback Carson Beck, safety Malaki Starks, linebacker Jalon Walker and running back Trevor Etienne.

6:04 p.m. Updated Georgia football injury report with Mykel Williams

Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Hall (legs) is now listed as out on the final SEC availability report, but defensive end Mykel Williams is listed as a "game-time decision." Williams missed the last two games with a grade 2 ankle sprain. Defensive lineman Warren Brinson is not longer listed at all, indicating he's good to go.

5:48 p.m. Georgia Bulldogs have arrived

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer walked on the field about a half hour ago and Crimson Tide players have been warming up on the field for some time now. Georgia just arrived just over two hours before the 7:49 ET kickoff. Kirby Smart taped a TV interview and is walking on the field now with his youngest son.

5:10 p.m. The NFL teams on the scene tonight

Representatives from 16 NFL teams including Bears general manager Ryan Poles and Lions general manager Brad Holmes are expected in attendance tonight, according to a post on X, formerly Twitter, from Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy.

4:46 p.m. About London Humprheys status for tonight game

Some reports out there today that wide receiver London Humphreys could go today because he's not listed on the SEC availability report today. Humphreys was listed as out the last three days on the SEC availability report and the only update on game day is 90 minutes before kickoff. I checked and was told "nothing has changed." We reported Wednesday morning that Humphreys is out for this game due to mononucleosis.

4:36 p.m. Tonight's referee for Georgia vs. Alabama

Your referee for tonight's game is Daniel Gautreaux. He worked Georgia's win at Tennessee last season and was a field judge for Georgia-Alabama in the 2021 SEC championship game.

4:18 p.m. ET High-level security at Bryant-Denny Stadium

Fans and media entering the stadium with a listed capacity of 100,077 are having to go through security screenings conducted by the U.S. Secret Service due to former President Trump attending the game. Turns out a small umbrella in a work bag is a no-go we found out.

Georgia vs Alabama score updates

This section will be updated when the game begins

Georgia vs Alabama time today

  • Date: Today

  • Time:  7:30 p.m.

  • Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala.

What channel is Georgia vs Alabama game on today?

NOTE: Georgia vs. Alabama will be broadcast nationally on ABC. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will call the game from the booth at Bryant-Denny Stadium, with Holly Rowe reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+. (Subscription needed) and and FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Georgia vs Alabama history

  • Series record: Alabama leads 43-26-4

  • Georgia's last win: 33-18 on Jan. 10, 2022 in Indianapolis in national championship ga,e

  • Alabama's last win: 27-24 in 2023 SEC championship game

Georgia vs Alabama predictions

Alabama 24 , Georgia 23

Georgia didn't score a touchdown at Kentucky until the fourth quarter in its narrow win two weeks ago. It will need more red zone touchdowns than Peyton Woodring field goals. He's 6 for 6 on the season. Georgia has held opponents to 3 field goals and no touchdowns in four red zone trips. Alabama's explosive offense will be a different test.

Georgia vs Alabama betting odds

Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Friday:

  • Spread: Georgia -1

  • Over/under: 49.5

  • Moneyline: Georgia -115, Alabama +105

Georgia vs Alabama injury updates

Georgia: OG Tate Ratledge (ankle, out), DE/OLB Mykel Williams (ankle, questionable), DL Warren Brinson (ankle, probable), DL Jordan Hall (legs, questionable), RB Roderick Robinson (toe, out), WR London Humphreys (mononucleosis, out), WR Sacovie White (undisclosed, out).

Alabama: LB Qua Russaw (ankle, probable), RB Richard Young (ankle, probable), LB Jeremiah Alexander (undisclosed, probable).

Georgia vs. Alabama weather update

The forecast calls for a few clouds with a temperature of 71 degrees after kickoff and dropping to 65 by the end of the game and winds light and variable, according to weather.com.

Georgia football 2024 schedule

  • Aug. 31: Georgia 34, Clemson 3

  • Sept. 7: Georgia 48, Tennessee Tech 3.

  • Sept. 14 Georgia 13, Kentucky 12

  • Sept. 28 at Alabama

  • Oct. 5 Auburn

  • Oct. 12 Mississippi State

  • Oct. 19 at Texas

  • Nov. 2 vs. Florida in Jacksonville

  • Nov. 9 at Ole Miss

  • Nov. 16 Tennessee

  • Nov. 23 UMass

  • Nov. 29 Georgia Tech

  • Record: 3-0

Buy Georgia football tickets this season with Stubhub

Alabama football 2024 schedule

  • Aug. 31: Alabama 63, Western Kentucky 0

  • Sept. 7 Alabama 42, South Florida 16

  • Sept. 14 Alabama 42, Wisconsin 10

  • Sept. 28 Georgia

  • Oct. 5 at Vanderbilt

  • Oct. 12 South Carolina

  • Oct. 19 at Tennessee

  • Oct. 26 Missouri

  • Nov. 9 at LSU

  • Nov. 16 Mercer

  • Nov. 23 at Oklahoma

  • Nov. 30 Auburn

  • Record: 3-0.

Georgia football news

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This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia vs. Alabama final score: Final minute interception crushes UGA