TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Ryan Williams caught a 75-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe with 2:18 left in a wild Southeastern Conference debut for Crimson Tide coach Karen DeBoer on Saturday night. In the final, fourth-place University of Alabama defeated second-place University of Georgia 41-34. .
Then Alabama's other No. 2 freshman, defensive back Zavian Brown, intercepted a pass from Carson Beck in the end zone to secure the victory.
Williams, a dynamic 17-year-old, turned and stole the ball in tight coverage, then quickly pivoted and raced down the right sideline. Milroe then hit Jermie Bernard for the two-point conversion for the Tide (4-0, 1-0).
The long TD pass came on one play, giving the Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1) their first lead of the game 13 seconds after Carson Beck's 67-yard bomb to Dillon Bell.
Even without Nick Saban wandering on the sidelines, DeBoer's introduction to the fascinating SEC power rivalry added another memorable chapter.
The rematch of last season's SEC Championship Game, also won by Alabama, was a brilliant quarterback showdown.
Milroe completed 27 of 33 passes for 374 yards, two touchdowns and an interception that was deflected by a receiver. He also ran for 117 yards and two TDs. Williams had six catches for 177 yards.
Beck completed 27 of 50 passes for 439 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw three interceptions in the first multi-interception game of his career, but had a show in the second half.
The Bulldogs scored three touchdowns in the final 9 minutes, 46 seconds. Alabama got the only thing it needed.
Milroe led Alabama to touchdowns on its first four drives against the only defense in the FBS that didn't allow opponents to play.
The Bulldogs trailed 28-0 in the opening minutes of the second quarter, and their 42-game regular season winning streak and 28-game SEC regular season winning streak appeared to be all but over by halftime.
Then Beck brought them back.
Take-out
Georgia: The last two games looked vulnerable for a program that has won two of the past three national titles, including a 13-12 victory over Kentucky.
But the Bulldogs continued to dominate in the second half, showing they weren't going anywhere.
Alabama: The Tide has shown no signs of slipping under DeBoer thus far, especially on offense, rolling on the road against Wisconsin and surviving against recent SEC foes at home.
Impact of public opinion polls
The University of Alabama will move up at least one spot in the Associated Press poll.
Judging by how the Bulldogs played in the second half, they probably won't fall far.
to the next
Alabama: Vanderbilt played its first SEC road game on Saturday.
Georgia: The host team will struggle against longtime rival Auburn on Saturday.
