TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — If Georgia lands the No. 1 rating, it should most likely come with an asterisk.
The second-ranked Bulldogs benefitted from what appeared to be a blown call in a 20-17 victory at No. 2 Alabama on Saturday night time.
Dwight Phillips Jr. ran for 120 yards, Bo Walker added 69 more and Georgia staked its claim to a high spot in the AP Top 25 ballot with its first victory in Tuscaloosa since 2014.
But most of the discuss afterward was about Southeastern Conference officers declining to throw a flag on Georgia security KJ Bolden after what appeared to be a clear pass-interference penalty in the finish zone.
It would have moved the Crimson Tide safely into field-goal vary. Instead, Bolden sacked Keelon Russell on the next play and pressured Alabama to punt.
“We can’t put the game in that situation where the officials come into play,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. “We just got to control the things we can control.”
After the no-call, Georgia iced away the remaining three minutes — with some help from Alabama cornerback Dijon Lee Jr., who pushed receiver to the ground after the whistle and drew a personal-foul penalty that allowed the Bulldogs to run out the clock.
Lee also was flagged for go interference earlier in the second half, which helped set up Gunner Stockton’s 14-yard landing run.
Stockton performed properly, finishing 18 of 22 passes for 249 yards, with a landing and an interception.
The Bulldogs completed with 206 yards on the ground despite enjoying without main rusher Nate Frazier and won the newest showdown between the two SEC heavyweights. It was Georgia’s third win over Alabama in their last 13 conferences, first in the common season since 2007 and Kirby Smart’s first win in Tuscaloosa.
“I didn’t come here to lose,” Smart said.
The recreation was performed despite Hurricanes Isaias coming ashore Friday night time. Bryant-Denny Stadium was packed — President Trump determined not to attend — and the consequence should vault Georgia to the high spot in the Top 25 after No. 1 Texas lost to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry.
Russell accomplished 16 of 30 passes for 185 yards, with a landing. He also ran for 41 yards.
Alabama’s Ryan Coleman-Williams leaves the recreation twice
Alabama star receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams was knocked out of the recreation twice, first with an obvious left leg harm and then to be evaluated for a concussion.
Quarterback Keelon Russell focused Coleman-Williams in the finish zone from Georgia’s 16-yard line late in the second quarter. The go was damaged up, and when Coleman-Williams tried to stand up, he could not put any weight on his leg. Alabama’s coaching workers helped him off the subject.
Coleman-Williams returned after the break, spent time on an train bike and was back on the subject to begin the third quarter.
But he was injured again when his head appeared to hit the ground late in the recreation while attempting to make a catch. Team trainers took his helmet and escorted him to the locker room. He completed with three receptions for 39 yards.
Up next
Georgia hosts Auburn in the rivalry dubbed “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry” on Saturday.
Alabama performs at No. 15 Tennessee in the rivalry identified as “The Third Saturday in October” on Saturday.
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