Georgia vs. Alabama final score, results: Ryan Williams' thrilling late TD helps Crimson Tide survive Carson Beck comeback

Daniel Mader

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Georgia vs. Alabama final score, results: Ryan Williams' thrilling late TD helps Crimson Tide survive Carson Beck comeback image

The chaos didn't come until the fourth quarter, but college football's first top-5 matchup of the 2024 season lived up to the hype.

No. 4 Alabama survived a massive comeback attempt from No. 2 Georgia on Saturday night, as 17-year-old WR Ryan Williams' 75-yard touchdown with just over two minutes remaining was the difference in the Crimson Tide's 41-34 win. True freshman Zabien Brown's interception on Carson Beck in the final moments sealed the win. 

Alabama dominated the first half of the matchup, taking a 30-7 lead into halftime as Jalen Milroe boosted his Heisman case through the air and on the ground. By the end of the matchup, Milroe had 374 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and an interception in the air, plus 117 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. 

The Bulldogs had no answers for Milroe's dual-threat ability in the first two quarters, but things looked a lot different in the second half. 

Even as Beck fought threw some turnover issues, finishing with three interceptions and a lost fumble, he was excellent in the final two frames, leading Georgia on four scoring drives. Beck capped the run with a 67-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Bell that gave the Bulldogs the lead after trailing the entire game. 

However, Williams answered with the long-range score on the game's next play, only adding to the hype surrounding his talents as one of college football's youngest players, and Alabama held on with that lead to secure the win. 

With the thrilling victory, Alabama remains undefeated (4-0) and will undoubtedly see a rise in the polls for Week 6. On the other hand, Georgia’s first-half struggles were a concerning sign for its long-term outlook, especially with the Bulldogs, now 3-1, also set to face Texas, Ole Miss and Tennessee this season. 

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from Georgia vs. Alabama, a top-5 matchup that ended with back-and-forth chaos. Here's what you may have missed. 

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Georgia vs. Alabama final score

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Georgia vs. Alabama updates, highlights from Week 5 college football matchup

All times ET

11:31 p.m. — Intercepted! Ending what became one of the most back-and-forth games you'll ever see between two top-notch programs, true freshman Zabien Brown picks Beck's pass off in the end zone. Alabama takes down Georgia at home after surviving a massive comeback attempt by the Bulldogs. 

11:30 p.m. — Beck took a shot down the field that could've made it a one-point game, but it's incomplete. 

11:25 p.m. — With the game on the line, Beck comes through on 4th & 2 with a completion to Colbie Young for three yards. The Bulldogs move the chains and remain alive with 1:15 remaining. 

11:23 p.m. — Beck's pass on 1st & 10 is incomplete. The Bulldogs are at their own 45-yard line.

11:19 p.m. — Two minutes remain in this game and Georgia has the ball. The last two drives have been eventful, as the Bulldogs came all the way back to take the lead on a huge touchdown, then Alabama immediately answered with a long score of its own to reclaim the lead. Georgia will need a touchdown on this drive to tie or take the lead once again. 

Alabama 41, Georgia 34

11:15 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — This game has become straight chaos, and is living up to the top-5 hype. Alabama claims the lead right back on its first play, a 75-yard touchdown strike from Milroe to the phenom Ryan Williams, who broke free on a dash to the end zone. The Crimson Tide also convert on their two-point try. 

Georgia 34, Alabama 33

11:12 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Stunning. Carson Beck is making a statement in this second half, and he just topped it off with a 67-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Bell on the first play of the drive to give Georgia the lead after a 30-7 halftime deficit. Beck has been incredible over the last two quarters, and the Bulldogs' comeback would be the biggest in a top-5 matchup of all time. However, the two-point try is no good. 

11:09 p.m. — Georgia will have a chance to take the lead after all that's happened in this game. Justice Hayes picks up three yards on 3rd & 4, and Kalen DeBoer elects to punt instead of going for a 4th & 1. Carson Beck gets the ball in his hands with under three minutes remaining. 

Alabama 33, Georgia 28

11:04 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — We are set up for a much closer finish than initially anticipated after the first half. Dillon Bell punches it in from three yards out to pull Georgia within five points, and now the Alabama offense will need either a long drive or a touchdown to get back in a good position to win.

11:02 p.m. — Pressure is mounting on the Crimson Tide defense. Beck completes a 32-yard pass to  Cash Jones, then a 47-yard pass to Arian Smith just outside the end zone to set up 1st & Goal. The Bulldogs have a real chance at a comeback in this one, but they'd need some quick scores with just over six minutes remaining. 

10:56 p.m. — Alabama picks up a first down, but its offense then stalls out. The Crimson Tide punt with just over seven minutes remaining. Things are getting interesting, as Georgia is down by 12 and should have enough time for two scoring drives, if it can pull them off. 

Alabama 33, Georgia 21

10:47 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Given the extra opportunity, Carson Beck comes through. He completes 20-plus yard passes to Anthony Evans III and Colbie Young, then finds Luckie in the end zone for a touchdown. The two-point conversion is no good. 

10:45 p.m. — Forced to go for it on 4th & 3 with limited offensive opportunities remaining, the Bulldogs get a break with a holding call on Alabama. Georgia's drive continues.

10:41 p.m. — Milroe and the Alabama offense aren't able to take advantage of the turnover and punt the ball back over to Georgia. 

10:38 p.m. — The Alabama defense comes through again. Qua Russaw sacks Beck, also forcing the ball out of his hands in the process. The Crimson Tide recover the loose ball and take over. 

End of third quarter: Alabama 33, Georgia 15

10:32 p.m. — The Georgia offense is at its own 42-yard line entering the final frame. Down by three scores, it'd take a dominant fourth quarter for the Bulldogs to come back, but crazier things have happened.

Alabama 33, Georgia 15

10:28 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Graham Nicholson connects from 28 yards out, pushing the Crimson Tide lead to 18 points. Williams' impressive catch set up the scoring opportunity. 

10:23 p.m. — Ryan. Williams. The 17-year-old receiver makes an incredible catch for 54 yards, juggling the ball in the air to keep the play alive and put Alabama inside the Georgia 15-yard line. 

Alabama 30, Georgia 15

10:17 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — It's Beck to Smith for a 12-yard score. Then, Beck finds Lawson Luckie for the two-point conversion, and Georgia makes it a 15-point deficit.

10:15 p.m. — Alabama's pass interference call on fourth down earns the Bulldogs a first down, then Beck finds Lovett for 32 yards. Georgia has another scoring opportunity on its hands.

10:08 p.m. — On 3rd & 5, Beck's pass to Lovett is incomplete. It's been a nearly six-minute drive for Georgia that's gone just 26 yards, and Beck is 12-of-25 in this game. 

10:02 p.m. — Carson Beck is picking up some small chunk plays on this drive as the Bulldogs approach Alabama territory. 

9:59 p.m. — Alabama punts for the first time all night. Georgia will have another opportunity to build some momentum.

9:53 p.m. — Deontae Lawson comes through and sacks Beck on third down, forcing the Bulldogs to punt once again. 

9:52 p.m. — Georgia begins the second half with the ball.

9:45 p.m. — Nick Saban was a fan of Alabama's first half performance:

9:32 p.m. — It was a massive first half for Jalen Milroe, who had 186 yards, a passing touchdown and an interception in the air plus 106 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The first half team stats:

Halftime: Alabama 30, Georgia 7

9:28 p.m. — A muffed punt was nearly another disaster for Georgia, but the Bulldogs maintain possession. Beck finds Smith as the clock hits zeros for halftime, and he's unable to break free for a score. Alabama also earned an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during a scuffle, which will be enforced on the second-half kickoff.

9:25 p.m. — Milroe completed five straight passes to open the drive, but one of them goes for an eight-yard loss. Alabama punts with time ticking down in the first half.

Alabama 30, Georgia 7

9:19 p.m. SAFETY — Even when its offense is off the field, Alabama finds a way to score. After two incompletions, Beck is called for intentional grounding while throwing a pass deep out of the end zone that isn't anywhere near a Bulldogs receiver. That gives the Crimson Tide two points, and with over a minute remaining in the second quarter, they get the ball back. 

9:15 p.m. — Neither team can maintain possession right now. Milroe's pass is bobbled and picked by Smael Mondon Jr., and Georgia has the ball back. That was Milroe's first interception of the season. Now, Georgia is pinned inside its own five-yard line. 

9:10 p.m. — Just as Georgia found a nice opportunity to score, it disappears. Beck throws his second interception of the game, which lands in the hands of Jihaad Campbell. Now, the Crimson Tide have another chance to score before the end of the first half. 

9:08 p.m. — Georgia's defense makes a stand, its first big stop of the night. The Bulldogs stop Jam Miller on fourth down, and their offense will take over looking to make this game closer ahead of halftime.

9:06 p.m. — On 3rd & 8, Milroe completes a pass for seven yards to Robbie Ouzts. That sets up a 4th & 1 at the Georgia 34-yard line. 

9:01 p.m. — Alabama has the ball back, and once again, Jalen Milroe can't be stopped. He picks up 26 yards on the ground, putting him at 104 total rushing yards in the first half. 

Alabama 28, Georgia 7

8:55 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Trevor Etienne runs the ball in from seven yards out, putting Georgia on the board. The Bulldogs initially went for a failed two-point attempt, but after an Alabama penalty, they opt for the extra point instead. 

8:51 p.m. — Georgia is having its best drive of the contest so far, now inside Alabama's 20-yard line after a 20-yard completion from Beck to Smith. At this point, the Bulldogs need some kind of response to the Crimson Tide's run. 

8:44 p.m. — Nick Saban isn't showing much emotion watching the game despite Alabama's dominance so far. 

Alabama 28, Georgia 0

8:41 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — The offensive explosion continues for Alabama. On 4th & 1, Jalen Milroe gets to the outside and runs 36 yards for a score, his second rushing touchdown of the night. Georgia's deficit has grown to 28-0 with just over 12 minutes remaining in the first half. 

End of first quarter: Alabama 21, Georgia 0

8:31 p.m. — Georgia goes three-and-out. Etienne picked up six yards, but that's all the Bulldogs could get before punting. That also marks the end of a first quarter that Alabama simply dominated. 

Alabama 21, Georgia 0

8:26 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Make it three unanswered scores in the first quarter for Alabama, as  Bernard runs seven yards for the touchdown. It's a shocking start to this top-5 matchup, and the Crimson Tide are absolutely rolling. 

8:24 p.m. — Things keep getting better for Alabama but worse for Georgia. Domani Jackson picks off Carson Beck, giving the Crimson Tide strong field position to potentially go up three scores.

8:22 p.m. — Also of note: Jalen Milroe hit the LeBron James "Silencer" celebration after Alabama's first touchdown.

Alabama 14, Georgia 0

8:17 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Could Alabama have had a better start than this? Milroe, who looks masterful through two drives, makes an excellent throw to the right corner of the end zone for Jam Miller. It's a 14-0 lead for the Crimson Tide, and Georgia is already in serious danger of falling behind. 

8:15 p.m. — Here come the Crimson Tide, once again. Milroe hits Ryan Williams for 21 yards, then finds Kendrick Law for 19 yards. Alabama is already down to the Georgia 21-yard line.

8:08 p.m. — RB Trevor Etienne fumbled, but the ruling that Georgia maintained possession is then confirmed. After an offensive pass interference call, the Bulldogs can't convert on 3rd & 21. They will now punt. 

8:05 p.m. — Carson Beck completes his first pass to Dominic Lovett for 15 yards, then airs it out down the field on an attempt to Arian Smith. However, Beck can't quite connect with the receiver on what could've been a big play.

Alabama 7, Georgia 0

8:01 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Milroe runs for a seven-yard score, finding no trouble getting into the end zone. The Alabama offense does its job early vs. the Bulldogs.

7:59 p.m. — The Crimson Tide's offense is cooking already. Emmanuel Henderson Jr. makes a huge 34-yard catch, then Bernard and Milroe pick up a pair of first downs on the ground. Alabama is threatening an early scoring drive. 

7:54 p.m. — Germie Bernard barely picks up a first down for Alabama on 3rd & 2, moving the chains for the first time in this game. 

7:51 p.m. — After the Crimson Tide offense took the field, Jalen Milroe begins his day with a five-yard completion to Ryan Williams. 

7:48 p.m. — Alabama will get the ball first after Georgia elected to defer. 

7:35 p.m. — Approaching kickoff, here's Carson Beck's numbers vs. Alabama last season: 243  yards on 21/29 passing, no touchdowns and no interceptions. 

7:17 p.m. — It's almost time for kickoff between Georgia and Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium. 

6:34 p.m. — The stage is set for WR Ryan Williams, Alabama's leading receiver this season at just 17 years old. 

6:30 p.m. — Georgia QB Carson Beck arrived in style to tonight's game: 

6:27 p.m. — Alabama and NFL legend Julio Jones is in the building for this big-time matchup.

5:42 p.m. — Georgia enters tonight's matchup as just a one-point favorite on the road over Alabama. The Bulldogs haven't lost a game since December 2, 2023, but of course, that was their loss to the Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship.

MORE: Matthew Sluka's saga at UNLV is not an indication college football is in decline

Georgia vs. Alabama start time

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
  • Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Saturday night's matchup between Georgia and Alabama will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

MORE: Full TV schedule for Week 5 of the college football season

What channel is Georgia vs. Alabama on today?

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
  • TV channel: ABC
  • Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo 

The Georgia vs. Alabama matchup will be aired on ABC. Fans can also live stream it through ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.

MORE: Steve Sarkisian giving a masterclass on how to manage the Arch Manning hype

Georgia football schedule 2024

After its loss to Alabama, here's a look at Georgia's upcoming schedule. 

DateOpponentTime (ET)
Oct. 5vs. Auburn3:30 p.m.
Oct. 12vs. Mississippi StateTBD
Oct. 19at TexasTBD
Nov. 2vs. Florida3:30 p.m.
Nov. 9at Ole MissTBD

Alabama football schedule 2024

Following Saturday's win over Georgia, here's a look at the next five matchups for the Crimson Tide:

DateOpponentTime (ET)
Oct. 5at Vanderbilt4:15 p.m.
Oct. 12vs. South Carolina12 p.m.
Oct. 19at TennesseeTBD
Oct. 26vs. MissouriTBD
Nov. 9at LSUTBD

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Daniel Mader

Daniel Mader Photo

Daniel Mader joined Sporting News as an editorial intern in 2024 following his graduation from Penn State University. Previously, he covered Penn State, high school and local sports beats for NBC Sports, the Centre Daily Times, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Daily Collegian and LancasterOnline. He grew up in Lancaster, Penn., with a love for baseball that’ll never fade, but could also talk basketball or football for days.