Crimson Tide Topples Bulldogs in Athens — Alabama 24, Georgia 21
In a high-stakes SEC matchup at Sanford Stadium, the Alabama Crimson Tide stunned the Georgia Bulldogs 24–21 on Saturday night in what may be one of the defining wins of their season. (Alabama Athletics)
Setting the Stage
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Date & Venue: September 27, 2025, in Athens, Georgia (Alabama Athletics)
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Attendance: 93,033 fans packed Sanford Stadium (Alabama Gazette)
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Rankings entering the game: Alabama was ranked No. 17, Georgia was No. 5 (Alabama Athletics)
Before Saturday, Georgia hadn’t lost a home game since 2019 — a 33‑game home win streak that spanned six years. (Saturday Down South) The Bulldogs were widely considered one of the SEC’s elite, and this matchup was seen as a possible statement game for either program.
Game Flow & Turning Points
First Half: Alabama Sets the Tempo
Alabama struck early and often. The Tide jumped out to a 24–14 lead by halftime, on the strength of three first-half touchdowns. (ESPN Sioux Falls) Quarterback Ty Simpson was instrumental, racking up multiple scoring plays before the break. (ESPN Sioux Falls)
One key sequence came late in the half: Alabama deployed a creative screen pass to offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor, who — despite weighing 365 pounds — gained yardage and nearly scored. (The Sun)
Second Half: Georgia Responds, But Tide Holds
Georgia cut into the lead in the third quarter with a short touchdown run by their back Jones, pulling the Bulldogs within three. (Alabama Gazette)
In the pivotal moment, Georgia drove to Alabama’s 8-yard line and faced a fourth-and-1 call. Instead of kicking a field goal to tie the game, Coach Kirby Smart opted to go for the touchdown. Alabama’s defensive lineman LT Overton penetrated and stuffed the run, preserving the lead. (Alabama Gazette)
Alabama then controlled the final minutes with a clock‑consuming drive. On third-and-5, Simpson connected with Jam Miller, who slid just past the first-down marker and effectively sealed the win. (ESPN Sioux Falls)
Performance Highlights & Key Numbers
| Metric | Alabama | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Total yards | 379 | 357 (Alabama Gazette) |
| Third-down conversions | 12 of 19 (63%) | 2 of 8 (Alabama Athletics) |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 (Alabama Athletics) |
| Time of possession | 35:36 | 24:24 (Alabama Athletics) |
Ty Simpson completed 24 of 38 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns; he also rushed for one score. (Alabama Athletics) His main receiving threats were Germie Bernard and Isaiah Horton, with Horton leading the Tide in receiving yards (65) for the night. (Alabama Athletics)
On defense, Bray Hubbard forced the game’s only turnover and tallied nine total tackles. Alabama’s defense also recorded six tackles for loss. (Alabama Athletics)
Aftermath & Significance
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This win snaps Georgia’s 33-game home streak — the longest active home streak in FBS prior to the game. (Saturday Down South)
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It also marks Georgia’s first home loss since 2019. (Saturday Down South)
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Alabama improves to 3–1 overall and 1–0 in SEC play for the season. (Alabama Gazette)
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For Georgia, the loss drops them to 3–1, 1–1 in conference. (Alabama Athletics)
Coach Kalen DeBoer praised his team's resolve and execution under pressure, highlighting their ability to perform in a hostile environment. (Alabama Gazette) Simpson, for his part, emphasized focus going forward, noting that though the win is meaningful, the work is far from over. (Alabama Gazette)
On Georgia’s side, Coach Smart defended the audacious fourth-down call, insisting he believed in making a play rather than settling for the tie. (Alabama Gazette)
Looking Ahead
After this dramatic victory, Alabama returns home to face Vanderbilt, while Georgia travels to take on Kentucky. If the Crimson Tide can build momentum from this road win, it may serve as a turning point for their SEC and national aspirations this season.
