Atlanta, GA. – The third-ranked Georgia football team secured its second consecutive SEC Championship and avenged an earlier loss to No. 9 Alabama on Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, before a crowd of 77,247 spectators. After falling 24-21 to the Crimson Tide in Athens last September, the Bulldogs demonstrated dominant performance, winning 28-7 to earn the program’s 16th SEC title.
Georgia (12-1) maintained a scoreless defense through the first three quarters, limiting Alabama (10-3) to fewer than 100 yards until the final play of the third quarter, and executed key plays across all phases of the game. An early blocked punt set the tone, providing excellent field position and leading to Georgia’s first score. Playing in their fifth straight SEC Championship Game—tying Florida’s record from 1992-1996—the Bulldogs achieved back-to-back SEC titles for the first time since their three-year streak from 1980-1982.
Historically, Georgia had a 0-4 record against Alabama in SEC Championship Games and a 1-7 mark under head coach Kirby Smart. However, these past results were overshadowed by Saturday’s performance, as the crowd was evenly split between Georgia and Alabama supporters, with Georgia fans celebrating more prominently throughout the game.
Despite strong defensive play from both teams, offensive struggles were apparent; Alabama had not scored fewer than 17 points all season. Georgia outgained Alabama 297-209 yards, with quarterback Gunner Stockton completing 20 of 26 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns. Alabama’s quarterback Ty Simpson completed 19 of 39 passes for 212 yards, with three sacks for minus 23 yards and one interception. On the ground, Georgia rushed 41 times for 141 yards, while Alabama was held to minus-3 yards on 16 attempts.
Defensively, safety JaCorey Thomas led with six stops, including a sack. Linebackers CJ Allen, Raylen Wilson, and Chris Cole contributed five tackles each.
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A pivotal moment occurred early in the game when Georgia’s Cole Speer blocked Alabama’s punt on fourth down from the Tide 21-yard line. The Bulldogs recovered at the Alabama 25 and scored shortly after, with Nate Frazier running 14 yards to the 7, followed by Stockton connecting with Roderick Robinson II for a touchdown, giving Georgia a 7-0 lead with 4:36 remaining in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs’ defense continued to assert itself, with cornerback Daylen Everette intercepting Simpson’s pass near the Georgia 27. Safety KJ Bolden’s tip contributed to the turnover, and Georgia extended its lead to 14-0 before halftime. A 14-play drive culminated in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Stockton to wide receiver Dillon Bell, who caught a 19-yard pass moments earlier. The halftime score was 14-0 in favor of Georgia, marking the fourth consecutive game in which their defense had kept opponents scoreless through three quarters. Notably, the last time an opponent scored in the end zone against Georgia was on Nov. 15 by Texas, with the Bulldogs responding with 21 unanswered points to secure a win.
Early in the second half, a sack by Thomas on third-and-9 kept Alabama scoreless, maintaining the streak of quarters without allowing a touchdown. A 24-yard punt return by Zachariah Branch positioned Georgia at the Tide 40, which the Bulldogs capitalized on, extending their lead to 21-0 with a 9-yard run by Nate Frazier at 10:47 of the third quarter.
Heading into the final quarter, Georgia maintained a 21-0 advantage, with Alabama having accumulated just over 100 yards of offense. Alabama finally scored with 12:33 remaining, on a 23-yard pass from Simpson to Germie Bernard, cutting the margin to 21-7 and ending the Regents’ scoreless streak.
Following a punt mishandled by Georgia’s Cole Adams and recovered at the Bulldog 4-yard line, Alabama threatened again but failed to convert on fourth-and-2 from the Georgia 12 yard line. Georgia responded by mounting an efficient drive, with Stockton connecting with Branch on a short pass that the wide receiver turned into a 13-yard touchdown run, extending Georgia’s lead to 28-7 with 6:51 remaining.
Georgia’s defense once again held firm, stopping Alabama on fourth down with 3:22 left. The Bulldogs then managed the clock effectively, concluding the game with a final drive, including a 19-yard rush by Chauncey Bowens, ultimately running out the clock to secure the SEC Championship.
The announcement for the 12-team College Football Playoff field will be made during the selection show on Sunday at noon on ESPN. Georgia will participate in the playoff for the fourth time in five years.
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