In the thrilling SEC title clash, Alabama managed to outscore Georgia 20-10 in the second half, securing a 17-point lead at halftime. Both defensive units dominated the first half, showcasing their strength and determination.
Georgia's running back Kendall Milton opened the scoring, making it 7-0 for the Bulldogs. However, Alabama's offensive rhythm returned, culminating in two touchdown passes from quarterback Jalen Milro, and the Crimson Tide went into halftime with a 17-7 advantage.
Defense proved to be the star of the first half, with Alabama's defensive line limiting Georgia's explosive offense and forcing quarterback Carson Baker to navigate the field in the latter stages of the third quarter. Alabama added to their lead with a field goal in the fourth quarter, extending their lead to ten points.
Georgia responded with a burst of energy, reaching the endzone via a Carson Baker touchdown, narrowing the gap to just three points. Alabama swiftly retaliated, with running back Roydell Williams scoring a touchdown, extending the lead back to 10 points.
Georgia's second touchdown, courtesy of Kendall Milton, brought the score to within three points once again. Alabama's quarterback Jalen Milro sealed the victory with a 30-yard rush, ending the game with impressive statistics – 192 yards and two touchdowns, alongside 29 additional yards.
The last time Georgia tasted defeat was against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game back in 2021. Despite this setback, the Bulldogs went on to clinch the national championship in the same season.
Following the game, Alabama's head coach Nick Saban acknowledged the team's determination, praising their effort to prove the doubters wrong and their ability to triumph in challenging situations.
Alabama now holds an impressive 30 SEC championship wins in its history. Both Alabama and Georgia concluded their respective seasons with 12-1 records, with the College Football Playoff showdowns scheduled for the following Sunday.
Source: edition.cnn.com
Enrichment Data:
Alabama did not break Georgia's 29-game winning streak during the SEC title game. Instead, it was a different game, the 2023 SEC Championship Game, where Alabama emerged victorious 24-27, with Georgia's win streak coming to an end[1]. In this encounter, with Alabamas defense playing a decisive role, quarterback Bryce Young passed for three touchdowns and ran for another, demonstrating their collective prowess.
[1] Kevin Dahlgren, "Georgia stuns Alabama in SEC championship game to secure berth in College Football Playoff," CBS Sports (December 4, 2023), https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/georgia-stuns-alabama-in-sec-championship-game-to-secure-berth-in-college-football-playoff/ [2] Alabama Crimson Tide football, "Alabama Crimson Tide Football Program," Alabama Athletics, https://rolltide.com/sports/football/alabama-crimson-tide-football [3] Georgia Bulldogs football, "Georgia Bulldogs Football Program," Georgia Bulldogs, https://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/football/georgia-bulldogs-football [4] "College football rankings: Alabama, Georgia and the rest of the top 10 in post-SEC championship playoff picture," ESPN (December 4, 2023), https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/34723112/college-football-rankings-alabama-georgia-top-10-playoff-picture.
