Alabama edges Georgia 24-21, ending Bulldogs' 33-game home win streak
No. 17 Alabama withstands late surge to topple No. 5 Georgia as Ty Simpson shines with 276 passing yards and two TDs
Alabama handed No. 5 Georgia its first home loss in six years, holding on to win 24-21 Saturday night and snapping the Bulldogs' 33-game home winning streak, a school record and the longest active streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision. No. 17 Alabama (3-1, 1-0 SEC) got a combined performance from quarterback Ty Simpson, who threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a score, while Georgia (3-1, 1-1) could not complete a comeback after falling behind early.
Georgia fell behind 17-7 in the first half and never led. The Bulldogs remained winless against Alabama under coach Kirby Smart, dropping to 1-7 in the series since Smart’s arrival in Athens. The loss also ended Georgia’s 33-game home winning streak—the longest current streak for any FBS program. The last time the Bulldogs lost at home was Oct. 12, 2019, a 20-17 double-overtime defeat to South Carolina.
In the fourth quarter, Alabama preserved its lead when defensive lineman LT Overton dropped Georgia running back Cash Jones for a 2-yard loss on a fourth-and-1 at the Alabama 8, a play Smart later described as a pivotal stop in the closing minutes. After forcing a punt on Georgia’s final possession, the Crimson Tide ran out the clock over the final 3 minutes, 19 seconds to seal the win.
Georgia briefly staged a push late in the third and into the fourth, but the comeback never materialized. The Bulldogs had another productive day on the ground, led by freshman Chauncey Bowens, who carried 12 times for 119 yards and a touchdown after Nate Frazier’s second-quarter fumble opened more opportunities for him. Bowens and Dillon Bell each posted a 43-yard rush, helping Georgia finish with 227 rushing yards while the team totaled 130 passing yards.
Georgia’s offense had shown resilience in recent weeks, including a 44-41 overtime win at Tennessee last week, but the comeback against Alabama stalled after the Tide extended a 24-7 lead and Georgia couldn’t trim the gap enough in the final minutes. Alabama (3-1, 1-0) extended its winning streak to three games since an opening-season loss at Florida State, a run that has rekindled optimism for Nick Saban’s group as it continues SEC play.
Ty Simpson, a standout for Alabama, acknowledged the challenge of facing a ranked Georgia team in a stadium known for its atmosphere and history. “It’s a big win for us, a step in the right direction,” he could be heard saying after the game. “We knew we would have to play well in all three phases to beat a program like Georgia.” His poise and productive night helped the Tide overcome early miscues and maintain control during the late stages.
Alabama’s defense tightened in the final minutes, refusing to break as Georgia pressed its late drive. The Crimson Tide’s late clock management and first-half lead protection proved critical, particularly after Georgia had stormed back from a 7-0 deficit to pull within 17-7 at halftime. The outcome leaves both teams with 3-1 records as they move into the remainder of conference play, and it keeps Alabama firmly in the upper echelon of a competitive SEC landscape while a frustrated Georgia team looks to refocus in the coming weeks.