Woodring’s late field goal lifts Georgia past Alabama, 20-17

Peyton Woodring made a 23-yard field goal with 5:25 remaining Saturday night, and Georgia protected the lead through Alabama’s final possession to win 20-17 in Tuscaloosa. The second-ranked Bulldogs improved to 6-0 and 4-0 in the SEC, handing No. 6 Alabama its first loss of the season.

Dwight Phillips Jr. carried 17 times for 120 yards, while Bo Walker added 69 yards on 10 attempts. Their longest runs helped build the winning possession: Phillips gained 22 yards and Walker broke off a 37-yard run as Georgia moved from its own 11 into scoring position. Woodring’s kick came after the Bulldogs reached the Alabama 10 but could not finish the drive with a touchdown.

Georgia had already missed a chance to go ahead early in the fourth quarter when Woodring’s 39-yard attempt went wide left. Its defense gave the offense another opportunity, forcing a punt before the possession that produced the deciding points. The official Georgia report identifies the kick as Woodring’s first miss of the season.

Alabama advanced to the Georgia 34 on its final offensive series, but the drive ended in a punt. The Bulldogs took over with 3:14 remaining. Gunner Stockton’s 17-yard completion to Elyiss Williams on third-and-seven moved Georgia away from its goal line, and a later Alabama personal foul helped the visitors run out the clock.

Stockton completed 18 of 22 passes for 249 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. His scoring plays came on a 20-yard pass to London Humphreys in the second quarter and a 14-yard run early in the third. Georgia finished with 455 total yards, including 206 on the ground, compared with Alabama’s 346.

The first half had shifted sharply after Georgia built a 10-0 lead. A 53-yard catch by Jaden Reddell set up Humphreys’ touchdown, but Alabama answered with Keelon Russell’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Marshall Pritchett. EJ Crowell’s one-yard run on the final play of the half put the Crimson Tide ahead 14-10.

Stockton’s touchdown run restored Georgia’s lead before Conor Talty’s 39-yard field goal tied it at 17. Russell finished with 185 passing yards and a touchdown, plus 41 rushing yards. Trae’shawn Brown led Alabama with 90 yards on nine carries.

The Associated Press reported that Alabama receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams left twice, first with an apparent leg injury and later for a concussion evaluation. He returned after the first incident and finished with three catches for 39 yards; the report did not establish a final diagnosis.

Georgia earned its first win in Tuscaloosa since 2007 and returns home to face Auburn. Alabama, now 5-1 and 3-1 in SEC play, visits Tennessee next Saturday.

Sources

ESPN final statistics and scoring · Via ESPN · Official team game report