To win Game One, the Georgia Bulldogs withstand a late Alabama surge.

In what was an electric and highly anticipated matchup between two of the top programs in college football, the Georgia Bulldogs found themselves battling not only against the formidable Alabama Crimson Tide, but also against the pressure of a late-game surge that threatened to steal away the victory. The contest, widely regarded as one of the marquee matchups of the season, lived up to its billing as both teams showcased why they’re consistently among the best in the country. Ultimately, it was Georgia’s ability to stay composed and execute in critical moments that allowed them to secure a hard-fought victory, winning Game One 28-24.

With the atmosphere charged and the stakes high, both teams entered the game with one clear objective: to lay down a statement win. For Georgia, a win in this matchup would not only bolster their national championship aspirations, but it would also solidify their dominance within the SEC. For Alabama, however, a victory would signify their resurgence as a national power after a few years of uncertainty in comparison to their previous dominance. It was a clash of the titans, and as the clock wound down, the game was as thrilling as anyone could have imagined.

First Half: A Dominant Georgia Performance

From the opening kick, Georgia looked in control. The Bulldogs, led by head coach Kirby Smart, came out with a clear game plan: dominate the line of scrimmage and use their powerful running game to establish a rhythm on offense. Behind the offensive line’s punishing blocks, Georgia quickly found success on the ground, with running back Kendall Milton powering through the Alabama defense, breaking tackles, and picking up significant yardage. Milton’s running style was a perfect complement to Nate Frazier, who was also finding success on the outside, using his agility and speed to elude Alabama defenders.

Quarterback Carson Beck, despite facing Alabama’s intense defensive pressure, was poised in the pocket. He connected with star wide receiver Lad McConkey on several big throws, including a 30-yard completion in the first quarter that set up a touchdown run by Milton. With the Bulldogs using a balanced offensive attack and mixing in play-action passes, they kept Alabama’s defense guessing. The first half saw Georgia build a 14-point lead by halftime, with Beck throwing a beautiful 22-yard touchdown pass to McConkey and Milton adding another rushing score.

Defensively, Georgia’s front seven wreaked havoc on Alabama’s offensive line. The Bulldogs’ defense, led by linebackers Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon, played with relentless intensity. They disrupted Alabama’s run game early, stuffing Jase McClellan at the line of scrimmage on several occasions and forcing quarterback Jalen Milroe to make quick decisions. The defensive backs also played well, keeping Alabama’s wide receivers in check and preventing explosive plays. In the first half, the Bulldogs’ defense had limited Alabama to only 10 points, with a field goal and a touchdown coming in the second quarter.

Second Half: Alabama’s Fightback

Alabama, known for its resilience under head coach Nick Saban, was far from out of the game. The Crimson Tide made adjustments at halftime, and it didn’t take long for them to show that they were ready for a second-half push. The first sign of Alabama’s fightback came on the opening drive of the second half, where Milroe connected with his top target, Jermaine Burton, on a deep ball down the sideline for a 40-yard gain. That pass set up a touchdown run by McClellan, who found a small gap in Georgia’s defense and burst through for a 10-yard score. The extra point brought Alabama within a touchdown, with Georgia leading 21-14.

However, Georgia responded with a drive of their own. Beck connected with tight end Brock Bowers for a crucial 15-yard catch that moved the chains and kept Alabama’s defense on its heels. The Bulldogs marched down the field and answered with a field goal that extended their lead back to 10 points, 24-14.

But Alabama wasn’t done. With about seven minutes remaining in the game, Alabama orchestrated a masterful drive, mixing up their play calling with run and pass options that kept Georgia’s defense off balance. Milroe’s mobility in the pocket and ability to extend plays made it difficult for Georgia’s pass rush to close in on him. On third and goal, Milroe found Kobe Prentice in the back of the end zone for a touchdown, pulling Alabama to within three points, 24-21.

The crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was now on the edge of their seats, as Alabama had suddenly seized momentum. The Georgia Bulldogs, who had controlled the game for most of its duration, were now in a dogfight. Georgia needed to respond, and they knew they had to protect their lead.

The Final Moments: Georgia Holds On

With Alabama breathing down their necks, the Bulldogs took over on offense with just over four minutes left in the game. The pressure was on, as Georgia needed to execute efficiently and keep the ball away from Alabama’s offense. This was where Georgia’s offensive line and running backs came to the rescue.

Instead of trying to air it out and risk a turnover, Georgia relied on Frazier and Milton to chew up clock and gain crucial yards. The running backs pounded the ball between the tackles, breaking off solid runs and managing to stay ahead of the chains. Georgia mixed in a few well-timed passes to keep Alabama’s defense honest, with Beck calmly finding Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint on an important third-down conversion that moved the ball past midfield.

However, as the Bulldogs approached Alabama’s 40-yard line, the tension reached its peak. Alabama’s defense, led by standout linebacker Dallas Turner, was now playing with a sense of urgency, and the pass rush became increasingly fierce. With less than two minutes to go, Georgia faced third and seven, a pivotal moment that could either seal the game or give Alabama one last shot at victory.

In the face of a heavy pass rush, Beck remained calm and made a crucial decision. Instead of trying to force a pass downfield, he checked down to Bowers, who had slipped into the open space on the sideline. Bowers took the short pass and managed to get enough yards for a first down, keeping the chains moving and the clock ticking.

With less than a minute remaining, Georgia had successfully managed the clock and now had the ball inside Alabama’s 30-yard line. The Crimson Tide’s defense, though playing valiantly, could not stop Georgia’s running backs from picking up enough yards to force Alabama to burn their timeouts. The Bulldogs’ offensive line continued to dominate, sealing the victory as Frazier added one last 5-yard run to push the ball into field goal range.

At that point, Georgia knew the game was in the bag. Jack Podlesny nailed a 22-yard field goal with 12 seconds left, extending the lead to 28-21. Alabama, now with no timeouts left and only seconds remaining, had one last attempt at a Hail Mary, but Milroe’s pass fell incomplete as time expired.

Key Takeaways: What Led to Georgia’s Victory

The Georgia Bulldogs’ ability to withstand a late Alabama surge and win 28-24 in Game One can be attributed to several factors:

1. Efficient Offense in the First Half
Georgia’s offense was highly efficient in the first half, utilizing a balanced attack that kept Alabama’s defense guessing. The running game, led by Frazier and Milton, was the foundation of the Bulldogs’ success, and quarterback Beck executed the passing game with precision.

2. Poise Under Pressure
Despite Alabama’s late-game rally, Georgia’s ability to maintain composure was critical. In moments of extreme pressure, like the final minutes of the game, the Bulldogs stuck to their game plan, utilizing their running backs to drain the clock and keep Alabama’s offense off the field.

3. A Dominant Defense (Until the Fourth Quarter)
Georgia’s defense was outstanding for most of the game. They were able to get consistent pressure on Milroe and forced the Crimson Tide into uncomfortable situations. However, Alabama’s late-game adjustments and Milroe’s ability to improvise turned the momentum in the Tide’s favor. Georgia’s defense bent but didn’t break when it mattered most.

4. Key Third-Down Conversions
One of the biggest reasons Georgia was able to close out the game was their success on third downs. Whether it was Beck finding Bowers for a critical conversion or Frazier picking up tough yards, the Bulldogs stayed ahead of the chains when it mattered most.

 The Bulldogs Stand Tall

In a game filled with ups and downs, the Georgia Bulldogs demonstrated resilience and maturity to hold off the Alabama Crimson Tide. While the game was far from perfect, Georgia’s ability to execute in critical moments—both on offense and defense—proved to be the difference-maker.

This victory over Alabama in Game One is a statement win for Georgia, and it sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting rest of the season. With their offense firing on all cylinders and their defense stepping up when needed, the Bulldogs have shown that they can go toe-to-toe with one of the most successful programs in the country and come out victorious. However, the close call also serves as a reminder that there is still work to be done, and Georgia will need to continue refining their game as they move forward in the season.