In a thrilling Week 5 SEC showdown, No. 4 Alabama defeated No. 2 Georgia 41-34, as both teams delivered a performance fitting of their rivalry for conference and national supremacy. This latest clash marked Alabama’s first SEC game under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, who replaced the legendary Nick Saban. DeBoer’s Crimson Tide proved they still belong in the conversation as SEC elites, and it was his talented freshmen that played a pivotal role in this instant classic.
The game’s turning point came with just 2:18 left in the fourth quarter, as Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe connected with star freshman receiver Ryan Williams for a stunning 75-yard touchdown pass. Williams, showcasing the poise and athleticism that have defined his freshman campaign, turned back to secure the deep ball in tight coverage, spun out of a tackle, and sprinted down the right sideline to give Alabama the lead. Milroe followed up by hitting Germie Bernard for a crucial two-point conversion, pushing the Tide’s advantage to seven points.
But the drama wasn’t over. Georgia’s Carson Beck, who had just thrown a 67-yard bomb to Dillon Bell to give the Bulldogs their first lead of the game moments earlier, had one more chance to strike. Driving down the field with time running out, Beck took a shot at the end zone. However, Alabama’s other standout freshman, defensive back Zabien Brown, intercepted Beck’s pass to seal the win.
The back-and-forth contest had everything you’d expect from two of college football’s most dominant programs. Both Milroe and Beck put on a show in what became a quarterback duel for the ages. Milroe completed 27 of 33 passes for 374 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception (off a deflection), while also rushing for 117 yards and two scores. Williams finished with six catches for 177 yards, proving to be Milroe’s most dangerous weapon.
On the Georgia side, Beck had an impressive, albeit erratic night. He threw for a career-high 439 yards, completing 27 of 50 passes and tossing three touchdowns. However, Beck also threw three interceptions, the first multi-interception game of his career, which ultimately cost Georgia. Beck, who is now 16-2 as a starter, has seen both losses come at the hands of the Crimson Tide.
Georgia’s offense came alive late, scoring three touchdowns in the final 9:46, but Alabama’s resilience under DeBoer’s leadership and the timely contributions of its young stars carried the day. Milroe’s composure in the pocket and ability to extend plays with his legs was instrumental in keeping Alabama’s offense humming throughout the game.
For DeBoer, it was a baptism into one of the SEC’s fiercest rivalries. On the opposite sideline, Kirby Smart, once Saban’s defensive coordinator at Alabama, led his Bulldogs with the same intensity and tactical acumen that has turned Georgia into a perennial national title contender. However, the absence of Saban didn’t diminish the quality of this game or its stakes.
With Alabama moving to 4-0 (1-0 SEC) and Georgia dropping to 3-1 (1-1 SEC), this game could be a preview of what’s to come in the SEC Championship, or even the College Football Playoff. Both teams left everything on the field, but in the end, it was Alabama’s big-play ability, particularly from its freshmen, that made the difference.
As SEC battles go, this one will be remembered for the jaw-dropping plays, high drama, and a new chapter in the Alabama-Georgia rivalry—one that now belongs to Kalen DeBoer and his Tide.
