The Alabama Crimson Tide is officially 4-0 after surviving a furious second half comeback attempt from the Georgia Bulldogs, ultimately claiming a 41-34 victory.
The first quarter was as good a 15 minutes as Alabama has played in a very long time, claiming a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter and looking like they were going to absolutely dominate en route to a blowout victory.
The Tide scored touchdowns on its first four possessions of the game and held the Bulldogs scoreless until well into the second quarter, leading 30-7 at halftime in a game that appeared to be over well before it actually was:
Jalen Milroe puts Alabama up 7-0. 😤
pic.twitter.com/5c2cgYkayx— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) September 29, 2024
Jalen Milroe puts it right where it needs to be. 🎯
Alabama up 14-0.
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) September 29, 2024
Germie Bernard takes it in on the edge. 🙌
https://t.co/DIuB0xrodm— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) September 29, 2024
Things started getting out of hand when Jalen Milroe ran for a long score for the fourth consecutive touchdown. He finished the first half with over 300 total yards and three touchdowns:
Jalen Milroe pulls the football at the perfect time and takes it for 6.
Alabama up 28-0. 🤯🤯
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) September 29, 2024
Things stalled out for much of the third quarter before Georgia made a statement that things were not over, pulling within two possessions and bringing the score to 30-15 following a touchdown and a 2-point conversion.
The Tide was able to salvage a field goal on the ensuing possession, but the offense would sputter for a long stretch as the Dawgs climbed back into it and were able to make it a one possession game at 33-28 with just over five minutes remaining.
Alabama punted shortly after on the ensuing possession and Georgia would take immediate advantage, scoring on the first play of their drive via a 67-yard Dillon Bell bomb that gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the night:
DILLON BELL 67 YARD TOUCHDOWN.
GEORGIA TAKES THE LEAD 🤯
pic.twitter.com/enLcWe0hrd— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) September 29, 2024
But Georgia’s lead would not last long, as 17-year-old Ryan Williams would make the play of his life on Alabama’s first play of their first drive while trailing, catching a pass down the sideline and making several defenders miss with spectacular jukes and speed en route to a 75-yard score:
Ryan Willams is UNREAL.
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) September 29, 2024
With over two minutes left, things were not over from there. Georgia had plenty of time to try to tie or win the game, and were able to march right down the field once again. But it was another freshman for the Tide who sealed things up, as Zabien Brown caught a pick in the end zone to out things on ice:
The true freshman Zabien Brown seals the deal
WHAT. A. GAME.
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) September 29, 2024
Milroe finished the game with nearly 500 yards via 374 yards through the air and 117 on the ground with four total touchdowns. Williams finished with the best game of his young career as well, catching six passes for a whopping 177 yards and the decisive touchdown.
It’s an absolutely massive victory for Kalen DeBoer, who still has yet to lose a game as Alabama’s head coach. While things in the second half were not pretty – it’s an instant classic victory.
Alabama will now get set to take on Vanderbilt next week on the road in Nashville.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
