Georgia Beats Alabama 20-17 as a Late Penalty Ends It

Georgia Beats Alabama 20-17 for First Tuscaloosa Win Since 2007

No. 2 Georgia beat No. 6 Alabama 20-17 on Saturday night, ESPN reported, the Bulldogs' first win at Bryant-Denny Stadium since a 2007 overtime game. Peyton Woodring's 23-yard field goal with 5:25 left broke a 17-17 tie, one drive after he had missed a 39-yard try.

Alabama reached the Georgia 34 with about 3:30 left. ESPN said a deep pass for Rico Scott fell incomplete with no flag, and Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer was livid. Georgia then sacked Keelon Russell and Alabama punted. Later, with under 2:30 to play, cornerback Dijon Lee Jr. shoved a receiver after a 1-yard run. The 15-yard penalty gave Georgia a first down, and it knelt three times to end the game.

You got to give yourself a chance.

Per ESPN, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton completed 18 of 22 passes for 249 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and ran for a score. With starter Nate Frazier and top backup Chauncey Bowens hurt, Dwight Phillips Jr. carried 17 times for 120 yards. Alabama allowed 206 rushing yards, and Russell's 185 passing yards were his fewest this season.

Our Read: What Decided Georgia vs. Alabama

This section is our reading of the facts above, not anything the sources say. The margin was a field goal, so small things carry weight.

• The penalty was the clearest swing. Alabama was one stop from a possession with a chance to tie or win, and a post-whistle shove turned that into a kneel-down. DeBoer himself pointed to emotional maturity.
• The missing flag is harder to weigh. ESPN said officials did not believe the contact on the Scott pass warranted pass interference, and DeBoer got no further explanation. Fans will disagree; the sources only establish that no flag came.
• Georgia's edge looks like third down and the ground game. 206 rushing yards, six tackles for loss and a 7-of-13 third-down rate describe a team that stayed on schedule while Alabama did not.
• The evidence points both ways on Georgia's depth. Two backs were out and the replacement still ran for 120 yards, which speaks well of the roster, but Stockton's interception and a missed field goal show it was not clean.

What to Watch After Georgia-Alabama

• How Alabama answers at No. 15 Tennessee next Saturday, per ESPN.
• Whether Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens return for Georgia.
• Where the polls put Georgia after No. 1 Texas lost to Oklahoma, which ESPN said will probably move the Bulldogs up.
• Whether anyone explains the non-call on the Scott pass.

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