Five takeaways from Alabama's exciting win over Georgia

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs 41-34 on Saturday night in a game for the ages. This was the first SEC game of the Kalen DeBoer era, and it couldn't get more exciting.

The Bulldogs erased a 28-0 deficit and took the lead 34-33 with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter. But Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe's connection with freshman phenom wide receiver Ryan Williams for a 75-yard touchdown just 13 seconds later ended Georgia's hopes of a miraculous comeback.

There is so much to analyze from this instant classic at Saban Field in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Here are five takeaways:

Before Saturday's game, Georgia had not allowed a touchdown in its first three games of the young season. Milroe and the Crimson Tide tied that series in less than five minutes after a 7-yard touchdown run by the dual-threat quarterback.

Entering the game, Georgia allowed 18 total points. Milroe and Alabama's offense scored 21 points with just over two minutes left in the first quarter! Things cooled off a bit in the second quarter as Alabama scored nine points in the period, but the ball wasn't in Georgia's hands nearly as often as the Tide's recent opponents.

This was largely due to Milroe's dominance in the air and on the ground, as he did in the first half, going 18 of 21 for 199 yards per touchdown and a crazy interception that bounced off tight end CJ Dippre, while also catching nine carries for 128 yards another score. To illustrate, Milroe outgained Georgia's total offense by 327 yards (of Alabama's 355 total) to 153 in the first half as the Tide took a 30-7 lead into the locker room.

“He does it through the air as well as with his feet,” DeBoer said of Milroe’s performance during the postgame press conference. “It's hard to play against him when you're on the other side. When he had to get the ball somewhere, I really felt his accuracy and that's because of his timing and his rhythm and the confidence and the belief that he has in the receiver and whoever catches the pass.

Perhaps a large part of Milroe's success and long time on the field in the first half was due to the Tide's defense preventing Georgia from gaining yards. Like Alabama, the Bulldogs' early offensive success relied largely on an abundance of explosive plays.

In the first half, Alabama picked up two interceptions, forced two fumbles (both of which were not recovered by the Tide), constantly pressured Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, including a late safety, and allowed just 153 total yards and nine first downs. Alabama caused Beck to complete less than 50 percent of his attempts for just 100 yards while allowing 5.5 yards per play compared to Milroe & Company's 9.1.

Entering the third quarter, Georgia had yet to convert from a third down in five attempts, and with the help of another strong period alone, that ratio was increased to 1-for-10. The Bulldogs scored eight points in the quarter after a 15-play drive, which may seem like a long time, but there was only one play of over 20 yards on possession.

Defensive back Domani Jackson and linebacker Jihaad Campbell each had an interception, but perhaps captain and linebacker Deontae Lawson was the Tide's best player on that side of the ball Saturday night as he recorded a team-high 10 tackles, including two for loss and one Third-down sack.

The Crimson Tide's lead appeared comfortable at 33-15 early in the fourth quarter, but a transition was completely overturned as the deafening crowd at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium continued to fall silent.

Coming into this game, Beck was widely considered one of the best quarterbacks in all of college football. That wasn't the case in the first 45 minutes, but he couldn't miss anything in the last 15 minutes. In the fourth quarter alone, Beck completed 11 of 18 pass attempts for 259 yards and two touchdowns. As mentioned, the Bulldogs' offense was non-existent in the third period, but many of Beck's fourth quarter numbers fell in the fourth period as Georgia converted on both attempts in the final period and was 5 of 5 on the night.

“They did a good job converting on fourth downs,” DeBoer said. “I think that was really the case in the second half, those four-down calls and four-down plays. If we get one or two of those, the game is completely different in the second half.”

He spread the ball around to multiple pass catchers, and the Crimson Tide just couldn't figure it out. The Bulldogs' defense was strong and that combination with the shooting offense ultimately made it a 33-28 game. After another stop, Beck connected with Dillon Bell for a 67-yard touchdown to take a 34-33 lead (missing the two-point conversion) as only Georgia fans were in attendance at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium caused excitement.

What was once a 28-0 lead at home turned into a 34-33 deficit and the Crimson Tide needed a hero.

The whole “he’s only 17” thing is certainly becoming redundant, but Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams can’t stop shocking the world. Against one of the best defenses in college football, the freshman phenom led the Tide with five receptions for 102 yards early in the fourth quarter.

Down 34-33 with 2:31 left in regulation, Alabama had to figure out how to put points on the board after not doing so since kicker Graham Nicholson's first field goal of the season late in the third quarter. Additionally, the Crimson Tide had not scored a touchdown until the start of the second quarter.

On the first play of the drive, Milroe found Williams, who juked and spun for a 75-yard touchdown. Although it is one of the loudest moments in recent Alabama history, it is without a doubt the best moment since the stadium was renamed and the Tide season itself.

Williams is probably the most well-known college football wide receiver in America right now, receiving recognition from future NBA Hall-of-Famers LeBron James and Chris Paul, as well as the X-Posts (formerly known as Twitter) of many other public figures Life on Saturday The evening proved this again.

Still, the game was far from over after Williams' touchdown as Alabama needed one more stop.

In college football, players are allowed to wear the same jersey number as long as they are not on the field at the same time. The No. 2 was special on Saturday night because of Williams' dominance, but another freshman wearing the same number on the other side of the ball certainly deserves some recognition.

Beck and Co. thrived under pressure on the first two plays of Georgia's final game of regulation, as the Bulldogs found themselves in the red zone with 47 seconds left. Another Alabama offensive miracle was unlikely, but that doesn't mean there wasn't room for it on defense.

Beck launched the ball into the end zone, but Alabama defensive back Zabien Brown dove in front of the ball and intercepted the ball of his life. Once again the home crowd cheered louder than they had in years as the “Game of the Year” officially lived up to the hype.

“That’s why I came to Alabama,” Brown said after the game.

Brown admitted that he didn't really remember the surreal moment, but assured that it will stay with him for a very long time.

“(Defensive coordinator Kane) Wommack said plays like that are going to be remembered for the rest of your life,” Brown said.