Kalen DeBoer has his first SEC and top-five win as the Alabama football, and it could not have been more well-earned.
The No. 4 Crimson Tide jumped out to an early dominant lead but needed an interception on the final to knock off Kirby Smart and No. 1 Georgia 41-34 in a primetime matchup at 7:30 p.m. from Nick Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The victory for DeBoer is his first for Alabama (4-0, 1-0 SEC) against Georgia. The loss for the Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1 SEC) is its first in the regular season since the 2020 season, when then-No. 8 ranked Florida knocked off the Bulldogs, 44-28, in Jacksonville, Florida.
Watch Alabama football vs Georgia live on Fubo (free trial)Alabama scored the first 28 points of the game and held a 30-7 halftime lead. But Georgia stormed back in the second half and took its first lead at 34-33 with 2:31 remaining on a Carson Beck 67-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Bell. Alabama re-took the lead 13 seconds later on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe to Ryan Williams. An interception by freshman Zabien Brown sealed the victory for Alabama.
The Crimson Tide has now won two in a row against Georgia, including a win in the SEC championship game last season. This knocked the Bulldogs out of contention for the four-team College Football Playoff in the committee's eyes.
With the SEC expanding and the CFP as a 12-team tournament this season, Saturday's loss did not doom Georgia. However, Alabama took a step closer to positioning itself with a potential bye and home-field advantage in the playoff.
Catch up here with scores, updates and highlights for the top-five SEC matchup between No. 1 Georgia and No. 4 Alabama:
This section will be updated when the game begins.
| TEAMS | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | F |
| Georgia | 0 | 7 | 8 | 19 | 34 |
| Alabama | 21 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 41 |
Here's a look at the quarterback comparison at halftime:
Some stats of note:
11:30 p.m.: Freshman Zabien Brown intercepts Carson Beck in the end zone and Alabama will pull off the 41-34 victory over Georgia. Despite holding a 28-0 lead in the first quarter, the Crimson Tide seal the win with an interception late in the fourth.
11:27 p.m.: Georgia converts a fourth-and-2 with 1:15 remaining in the game. Carson Beck hit Colbie Young for an 11-yard completion to keep the drive and Georgia alive.
11:15 p.m.: Alabama responds with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe to the 17-year-old Ryan Williams to give Alabama the lead back. Milroe hits Germie Bernard for the 2-point conversion and Alabama has a 41-34 lead with 2:18 remaining.
11:13 p.m.: On the first play, Carson Beck goes deep and hits Dillon Bell for a 67-yard touchdown and Georgia has its first lead of the game. The 2-point conversion fails and Alabama trails by one with 2:31 left.
11:11 p.m.: Alabama is forced to punt it away after picking up one first down. Georgia starts at its own 33 needing a touchdown to take its first lead of the game
11:04 p.m.: Dillon Bell scores on an end-around and Georgia has cut the lead to 33-28 with 5:39 remaining in the game. Carson Beck connected on a 30-yard pass to Cash Jones and then a 47-yard pass to Arian Smith to set up the quick scoring drive. The drive was just four plays, 78 yards and took 1:35 off the clock.
10:57 p.m.: Georgia allows Alabama to convert a third down but then force a punt. Georgia takes over at its own 22-yard line with 7:14 remaining.
10:48 p.m.: Following a quick three-and-out for Alabama, Carson Beck cuts the Alabama lead to 33-21 with 9:46 remaining in the game. Beck hits tight end Lawson Luckie for an 8-yard touchdown pass. The 2-point conversion failed.
The scoring drive was six plays for 80 yards, taking just 1:46 off the clock.
10:38 p.m.: Qua Russaw, a game-time decision with a high-ankle sprain, strip-sacked Carson Beck and Jah-Marien Latham recovered the ball at the Georgia 47. Alabama has a chance for the knockout punch with 14 minutes of play remaining.
10:31 p.m.: Alabama leads 33-15 heading into the fourth quarter. While the Crimson Tide hold a three-score lead, the Bulldogs showed life in the third quarter, out-scoring Alabama 8-3 and out-possessing the Crimson Tide 9:46 to 5:14. Still, the Bulldogs have plenty of work remaining to cut into the three-score lead.
10:27 p.m.: Alabama responds to Georgia's touchdown drive with a 28-yard field goal from Graham Nicholson to put the Crimson Tide up by three scores, again, at 33-15. Freshman sensation Ryan Williams had a juggling 54-yard catch on the drive to set up the score
10:26 p.m.: Freshman sensation Ryan Williams, only 17 years old, made a circus catch for 54 yards. The highlight of the play is below:
10:15 p.m.: Georgia is not done yet. Carson Beck hits Arian Smith on a 12-yard TD pass to bring the Bulldogs within two scores. The scoring drive for UGA was 15 plays for 80 yards and took 6:44 off the clock.
Lawson Luckie scores on a 2-point conversion to cut the lead to 30-15. Alabama aided Georgia with a couple of pass interference calls on the drive. The Bulldogs also converted a pair of fourth downs.
9:56 p.m.: Jalen Milroe cannot connect on a pass to Germie Bernard on third-and-4, and Alabama will also go three-and-out. Georgia begins its second drive of the second half from its own 20. That was Alabama’s first punt of the night.
9:53 p.m.: Deontae Lawson sacks Carson Beck for a loss of 11 on third-and-10 to force a three-and-out for Georgia coming out of the half. Alabama will start on its own 26-yard line following the punt.
Here's a look at the quarterback comparison at halftime:
Some halftime stats of note:
9:31 p.m.: Alabama OL Miles McVay was called for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty after both teams began chirping, leaving the field before halftime. The penalty will be assessed on the second-half kickoff when Georgia receives it to open the half.
9:28 p.m.: Alabama has a dominant 30-7 lead at halftime. The Crimson Tide took the ball first and scored on its first drive and have dominated since. The teams needed to be separated going off the field before halftime.
9:26 p.m.: Kalen DeBoer is fired up after a missed defensive pass interference call that went uncalled against Georgia. It results in an Alabama punt after the Crimson Tide attempted to make a trick play
9:20 p.m.: Despite a turnover from Jalen Milroe, Alabama extends its lead to 30-7 on a safety on an intentional grounding from Carson Beck from the end zone.
Georgia's Dan Jackson picked off a deflected ball from Milroe at the UGA 2-yard line. The Bulldogs get a much-needed turnover and a chance to cut the lead before halftime. However, Carson Beck fires three straight incompletions, including, nearly, a third pick. Alabama forces the safety.
Alabama leads 30-7 with 1:39 left in the half and gets the ball back now.
9:10 p.m.: On the very first play after the turnover on downs, linebacker Jihaad Campbell picks off Carson Beck and returns it to the UGA 25. Alabama is back in scoring position after forcing the Bulldogs' second turnover.
9:08 p.m.: Jamarion Miller is stuffed on a fourth-and-short attempt for Alabama from the UGA 35. The Bulldogs take over with 2:59 left in the half. The Bulldogs also get the ball out of halftime.
8:54 p.m.: Georgia finally shows signs of life with a response and a much-needed touchdown drive. A Trevor Etienne 7-yard touchdown caps off an 11-play, 75-yard drive that takes 5:41 off the clock.
The Bulldogs converted a huge fourth-and-short from its own side of the field on a big run from Etienne, where he evaded a tackle in the backfield.
Georgia converted the 2-point try, but offensive pass interference took the points off the board. This is the third OPI against the Bulldogs already. UGA kicked the extra point to make it 28-7 Alabama with 6:43 left in the half.
8:41 p.m.: Jalen Milroe and Alabama are pouring it on now Georgia now. Facing a fourth-and-1 from the UGA 36-yard line, Milroe keeps in on a QB run and Alabama pushes its lead to 28-0. Milroe makes the right choice on the zone read and is touched only once on his way to the end zone for the score.
8:35 p.m.: Alabama racks up 198 total yards of offense in the first quarter, while Georgia had 27. The result is a 21-0 lead for Alabama and the Crimson Tide start the second quarter with the ball on its own 40-yard line, facing a second-and-3.
Georgia's defense needs a stop to keep this game from getting out of hand early on.
8:31 p.m.: Georgia’s on the ropes now. Carson Beck and the Bulldogs cannot convert a third-and-4 due to an inaccurate throw from Beck. To boot, there was also another offensive pass interference called against UGA on the third-down-play.
Beck is 2 for 7 passing for 19 yards. Jalen Milroe is 7 of 7 for 106 yards. Alabama starts on its own 33 to start the drive after a poor punt.
8:26 p.m.: Germie Bernard scores on a 7-yard touchdown to put Alabama up 21-0 with 2:21 left in the first quarter. It is a dominant display for the Crimson Tide in every facet of the game so far. This drive is three plays, 21 yards and takes 1:25 off the clock.
What a debut for Kalen DeBoer.
8:23 p.m.: The perfect start for Alabama just got better. Domani Jackson picks off Carson Beck on a third-and-8 and the Crimson Tide will start its drive at the UGA 21-yard line. It’s the Bulldogs' first turnover of the season.
8:18 p.m.: No problems for the Alabama offense and Jalen Milroe so far. Milroe hits Jamarion Miller for a 16-yard touchdown on a wheel route and Alabama has a 14-0 lead early.
This drive goes six plays for 84 yards and takes 3:11 off the clock. Alabama has a 14-0 lead with 4:39 left in the first quarter.
8:10 p.m.: Georgia moves the ball to the Alabama 39-yard line; however, a missed deep ball opportunity and an offensive pass interference stalls the drive for the Bulldogs.
Alabama takes over on its own 16-yard line with 7:50 left in the first quarter.
8 p.m.: The Georgia defense has finally allowed a touchdown during the 2024 college football season. The Crimson Tide scored on a 7-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jalen Milroe. Alabama scores despite three penalties on the first drive. Milroe had a 34-yard pass to Emmanuel Henderson as the drive's biggest play.
The scoring drive was eight plays for 70 yards and took 4:43 off the clock. Per the ABC broadcast, the Bulldogs had not allowed a touchdown this season and in the last 16 quarters.
7:48 p.m.: Georgia wins the toss and defers. Alabama opens with the ball.
7:34 p.m.: The arrival of former President Donald Trump has been delayed, per Chase Goodbread of The Tuscaloosa News.
6:53 p.m.: The final SEC availability report ahead of the Alabama-Georgia game was updated at 6 p.m. ET. Here's a look at the changes:
6:40 p.m.: Alabama fans greeted former Alabama assistant coach and current Georgia football coach Kirby Smart with boos as he entered Bryant-Denny Stadium.
6:15 p.m.: Georgia wide receiver London Humphreys is out for the Alabama-Georgia game, according to Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald.
6:05 p.m.: Georgia quarterback and Heisman Trophy hopeful Carson Beck has arrived for the game, dressed in all black.
5:21 p.m.: Ahead of Ole Miss' game against Kentucky, former Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin picked Alabama to beat Georgia.
4:58 p.m.: Several scouts will attend the Alabama-Georgia game on Saturday. Both teams have sent several players to the NFL over the years.
3:55 p.m.: Here's a look at the captains for the Georgia Bulldogs for today's game in Tuscaloosa:
3:38 p.m.: Nick Saban is not the Alabama coach anymore, but he and his wife Terry picked Alabama to beat Georgia in gameday picks during ESPN's "College GameDay" this morning. Terry was the guest picker for the week.
The Crimson Tide had a clean sweep from the game pickers. Here's a look at the rest of the picks:
The top-five SEC matchup opener between Alabama and Georgia will be broadcast on ABC during Week 5 of the 2024 college football season. Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Chris Fowler (play-by-play), and Holly Rowe (sideline reporter) will call the game from Nick Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Steaming options for this game include Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, the ESPN app, or ESPN+.
Colin Gay, Tuscaloosa News: Georgia 27, Alabama 24
"DeBoer's first meeting with Georgia will look a lot like Nick Saban's first game against the Bulldogs in 2007. Facing a bend-but-don't-break defense that lives and dies by the turnover margin, Beck and Georgia won't give the Crimson Tide many mistakes to take advantage of. And while Milroe and the offense will have their share of moments under the lights, it won't be enough to give Alabama its first SEC win of 2024."
Brad Crawford, 247 Sports: Alabama 30, Georgia 29
This game is important for both teams in the SEC Championship race, but it's not going to be all that deflating for the loser. We're looking at two teams who should get to the College Football Playoff regardless. Georgia's 42-game regular-season winning streak is in jeopardy the rest of the way since this is the first of three road games against top 10 competition. I'm trusting Kirby Smart here to come up with a plan defensively to limit Jalen Milroe this time around, but the lack of explosion around Carson Beck offensively for the Bulldogs up to this point is a bit worrisome. Kalen DeBoer gets a signature win in September.
Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald: Alabama 24, Georgia 23
"This game is essentially a toss-up. Georgia has the better defense, but the nod here goes to the Crimson Tide with the home field advantage and the two most dynamic offensive players on the field."
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Wednesday, Sept. 25:
Alabama: Probable ― RB Richard Young, LB Qua Russaw, LB Jeremiah Alexander
Georgia: Probable ― DL Warren Brinson (ankle); Questionable ― DE/OLB Mykel Williams (ankle), DL Jordan Hall (legs), WR Sacovie White (undisclosed); Out ― WR London Humphreys (mononucleosis); OG Tate Ratledge (ankle); RB Roderick Robinson (foot)
This section will be updated.
Here's a look at Alabama's 2024 schedule, including available start times and TV channel information:
All times Eastern
*Denotes SEC Game
Here's a look at Georgia's 2024 schedule, including available start times and TV channel information:
All times Eastern
*Denotes SEC Game
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