Final: Alabama 41, Georgia 34
No. 4 Alabama wins an absolutely crazy game over No. 2 Georgia. Bama blew a 28-point lead but found a way to save it with Ryan Williams' circus catch in the final minutes.
The biggest game of the season so far delivered in a big way.
No. 4 Alabama had No. 2 Georgia on the ropes early in their top-five showdown, up 28-0 at one point, but the Bulldogs just kept fighting their way back and forced a dramatic finish in Tuscaloosa. In the end, after trading leads late in the fourth quarter, Alabama secured the win with a miraculous catch-and-run TD by freshman Ryan Williams, and then an interception in the end zone by cornerback Zabien Brown.
The 41-34 finish was the capper on an incredible day of college football action β one that got going early when Kentucky went into Oxford against No. 6 Ole Miss and stunned the Rebels, 20-17, in a back-and-forth affair that ended with a shanked field goal that would've tied it.
And yet another highly ranked team lost to an unranked opponent at home when Arizona beat No. 10 Utah 23-10 in a late-night upset.
Later in the day, No. 21 Oklahoma got a late pick 6 to spark a comeback win over Auburn and earn its first SEC win. No. 16 Notre Dame also notched a key victory of its own in holding off No. 15 Louisville while No. 9 Penn State handled No. 19 Illinois at home and Colorado blew out UCF on the road.
And to cap the night, No. 25 Boise State rode running back Ashton Jeanty to a big 45-24 win over Washington State.
No. 4 Alabama wins an absolutely crazy game over No. 2 Georgia. Bama blew a 28-point lead but found a way to save it with Ryan Williams' circus catch in the final minutes.
The No. 8 Ducks win their Big Ten opener against an ex-Pac-12 foe.
Arizona pulls the road upset win over No. 10 Utah, which couldn't get much going on offense with backup QB Isaac Wilson. First-ever Big 12 win for the Wildcats.
Utah's Isaac Wilson is picked off for the 2nd time today and that should wrap things up in Salt Lake City.
Arizona leads 23-10 at the 2-minute timeout with the ball.
Ashton Jeanty is the story of the day for Boise State. He ran for 259 yards and 4 touchdowns to firmly insert himself into the Heisman conversation.
Arizona QB Noah Fifita made two brilliant throws on that drive, including a 35-yard dime to Keyan Burnett in the end zone while on the run.
Wildcats back up two scores, 23-10, on No. 10 Utah. 8:13 to play.
π£οΈ THAT'S OUR QUARTERBACK!!!
And the first career touchdown for Keyan Burnett!
πΊ ESPN pic.twitter.com/9cjCqZ5otUβ Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) September 29, 2024
Isaac Wilson finds Caleb Lohner for the score, and the Utes have pulled within a score of Arizona in the 4th quarter.
3 career catches, 3 career TDs for @caleblohner π
πΊ: @espn #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/wVXp8pKac6β Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 29, 2024
Ashton Jeanty's Heisman-like game continues and Boise State is rolling 38-17 over Wazzu.
Ashton Jeanty's FOURTH TD of the game π€π₯@BroncoSportsFB pic.twitter.com/5wsZZ7gfvh
β FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 29, 2024
The Boise State RB has 18 carries for 218 yards and 3 TDs today. Unreal!
ASHTON JEANTY IS OUT OF THIS WORLD pic.twitter.com/myQQyEVr5R
β Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) September 29, 2024
Utah QB Isaac Wilson, stepping in for injured starter Cam Rising again, is struggling today.
Arizona leading 16-3 after another field goal was set up by this interception.
ope, didn't see ya there π«£ pic.twitter.com/PAr9GIErkF
β Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) September 29, 2024
Big responds for Washington State, which opens the 4th quarter with a 36-yard TD pass from John Mateer to Kyle Williams.
Cuts the Boise State lead to 24-1
Just when it looked like Oregon was about to slam the door on UCLA, Bryan Addison keeps it open with a 96-yard pick-6 just before the half.
Ducks lead 28-10 at halftime.
96-YARD PICK-SIX βΌοΈ
Bryan Addison goes all the way for @UCLAFootball π€―#B1GFootball on FOX πΊ pic.twitter.com/vFwnweHzRhβ Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 29, 2024
Boise State takes advantage of a short field after stopping WSU on 4th down.
Maddux Madsen tossed to Matt Lauter, who ran after the catch to the end zone.
Broncos lead by two TDs.
Three plays after John Mateer is ruled short on 4th down, Boise State takes advantage of the short field with a 22-yard touchdown pass. Broncos up two scores now.
BSU 24, WSU 10 pic.twitter.com/fESEjPrb0kβ Greg Woods (@GregWWoods) September 29, 2024
We are back for the second half of Wazzu-Boise and the Cougars had some positive momentum, but that was just wiped out by a deep sack. They'll punt it to the Broncos, who will take over at their own 10-yard line.
The Ducks are leading 17-3 over the Bruins in the 2nd quarter.
This is Oregon's first Big Ten game, albeit against a very familiar opponent.
Ducks add another! π¦
Jordan James runs it in for @oregonfootball πͺ pic.twitter.com/0xTzUiAWLOβ FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 29, 2024
It's been a tight one in Boise so far. Ashton Jeanty broke off a big early run but has been fairly quite since for the Broncos.
Bama's Zabien Brown picks off Georgia's Carson Beck in the end zone for his 3rd INT today and that should seal it for the Crimson Tide!
zabien brown game sealing interception pic.twitter.com/nWbW3uwT8M
β β (@HOODH3RO) September 29, 2024
Georgia converts on 4th and 2 and has the ball at the Alabama 36-yard line.
1:15 to play
We're at the 2-minute timeout. Everybody take a breath.
This game is off the charts!
Ryan Williams makes a 75-yard TD grab on maybe the play of the year and Bama is right back in front!
Alabama 41, Georgia 34. 2:18 to play.
HE IS HIM.π€«@Ryanwms1
πΊ: ABC pic.twitter.com/TEvs07ca3tβ Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) September 29, 2024
π±GEORGIA TAKES THE LEAD pic.twitter.com/KV0YlnhJlr
β FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 29, 2024
Dillon Bell gets behind the Bama defense for a 67-yard TD catch!
Georgia has rallied from 28 down to take the lead in Tuscaloosa! Unbelievable!
CARSON BECK TO DILLON BELL!!!!!!!! OH MY FUCKING GOD GEORGIA LEADS AFTER BEIND DOWN 28-0!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/IQDT4tv0GK
β Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) September 29, 2024
Dillon Bell takes it in from the 3 and it's suddenly a ballgame in Tuscaloosa!
Alabama's lead down to 33-28 with 5:39 to go.
HERE COME THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS π±
UGA MAKES IT A ONE-POSSESSION GAME LATE IN THE 4TH π pic.twitter.com/2JUZlQFLJ8β SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 29, 2024
Carson Beck completes two big passes and immediately gets the Bulldogs down near the goal line!
This could be a one-score game momentarily π
Alabama's offense hasn't done much in the 2nd half. And Georgia will get the ball back with a little more than 7 minutes to play. Do the Bulldogs have life here?
The Nittany Lions hold strong at home and will improve to 4-0 on the season. They host UCLA next week before a trip to USC.
This one isn't quite over yet. Bulldogs find the end zone on Carson Beck's 8-yard toss to Lawson Luckie.
2-point try no good.
Alabama leads 33-21 with 9:55 to play.
The lead is down to twelve π pic.twitter.com/L3udniVX6T
β Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) September 29, 2024
That'll do it for this one. Kaytron Allen just pushed his way into the end zone to essentially seal things in Happy Valley.
Nittany Lions with another TD to extend the lead π@PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/ZYSPVuacDc
β FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 29, 2024
Georgia QB Carson Beck gets the ball knocked out by Qua Russaw and Alabama's Jah-Marien Latham scoops it up near midfield.
Beck has turned it over 3 times today, and the Bulldogs are running out of chances to try to mount a comeback.
Gimme THAT! πͺ@QuaRussaw
πΊ: ABC pic.twitter.com/NtFY2T6D2Mβ Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) September 29, 2024
The Nittany Lions are draining the life out of things in Happy Valley. There's only 2:24 left in the game and they have the ball deep in Illinois territory.
Graham Nicholson hits from 28 yards.
Alabama leads Georgia 33-15, late 3rd.
But here's another angle of Ryan Williams' wild catch that set up the field goal.
OH MY GOODNESS RYAN WILLIAMS pic.twitter.com/ty22cv2jOu
β Jake (@jakekolp9) September 29, 2024
If you need more evidence as to why BSU running back Ashton Jeanty should be in the Heisman conversation, here it is:
Ashton Jeanty TD! π΄@BroncoSportsFB on the board first! pic.twitter.com/di5Peic93R
β FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 29, 2024
The Nittany Lions returned the pick for a touchdown, but there was a penalty during the return, so it'll be PSU ball near midfield.
INTERCEPTED!!!!@PennStateFball takes it to the house, but a flag takes it back and gives them the first down pic.twitter.com/EALEuG1ynS
β FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 29, 2024
Alabama true freshman Ryan Williams made an unbelievable 55-yard grab.
Just watch:
RYAN WILLIAMS WITH THE TIP-DRILL CATCH TO HIMSELF FOR THE LONG GAIN π₯
The 17-year-old continues to step up for the Crimson Tide π pic.twitter.com/N7ao3Jr4jfβ SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 29, 2024
The Nittany Lions' promising drive stalls out and Sander Sahaydak misses a 40-yard kick that would've put them up 17-7.
The Illini needed that in this low-scoring affair.
A VERY long drive (15 plays, 80 yards) ends in a Carson Beck 12-yard TD pass to Arian Smith. And the Bulldogs also convert the 2-point try.
Alabama's lead cut to 30-15, mid 3rd.
Arian Smith with the TD grab pic.twitter.com/X4j4PyaQoj
β Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) September 29, 2024
The Nittany Lions are piecing together a solid drive here and are nearing the red zone. A two-score lead would feel insurmountable based off how this game has played out thus far.
The Nittany Lions defense just won't budge. With just over 12 minutes left in the game, Penn State has the ball back.
What a huge stop by Illinois. The momentum had turned on the Illini but a stop on fourth-and-3 at their own 17-yard line might change things with the third quarter winding down.
It was a bold call by James Franklin, and the stop opens the door back up for Illinois in a close one.
DENIED ON 4TH DOWN, TURNOVER ON DOWNS β@IlliniFootball pic.twitter.com/RgFjEFhOGQ
β FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 29, 2024
Back from halftime, Georgia starts with the ball and goes nowhere.
It's a punt after a sack on 3rd and long.
Can the Bulldogs get anything going in this game?
Beaver Stadium is rocking now and Illinois can't find its rhythm. That possession at the end of the first half appears to have changed the momentum in this game.
It'll be Penn State ball near midfield.
Illinois and Penn State are back for the second half and the Nittany Lions just had a statement drive to restart things, driving 74 yards in 12 plays and finishing it off with a four-yard run by Nicholas Singleton to take the lead.
Singleton touchdown! π@PennStateFball takes the lead πͺ pic.twitter.com/097kz6Ovua
β FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 29, 2024
Alabama completely owned that first half, and there was some pushing and shoving between a bunch of players right before they went to the locker room. Bama called for an unsportsmanlike penalty that will be enforced in the 3rd quarter.
A bit of a fracas between the teams as they exit the field at halftime, including DeBoer racing over from the opposite sideline to get between the groups pic.twitter.com/BtCRFzhgmo
β Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 29, 2024
Once again, Georgia can't take advantage of a positive play. Bulldogs get an interception after CJ Dippre bobbles the pass from Jalen Milroe.
A few plays later, Georgia QB Carson Beck is called for intentional grounding from his own end zone. It's a safety by rule. Two more points for the Tide, who now lead 30-7.
AND NOW WE HAVE INTENTIONAL GROUNDING FOR A SAFETY!!! WTF!!! pic.twitter.com/t5AEGKaI4T
β Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) September 29, 2024
The Illini are likely going to be seething after blowing that late possession at the end of the half. They have a real shot to go into the break up 14-7. Instead, it's still tied up and PSU will get the ball first in the second half.
Painful sequence for Georgia, which just got a big defensive stop on 4th and 1.
Carson Beck throws an interception to Jihaad Campbell on the very next play and Bama is back in business.
That's two picks for Beck, who is having a brutal day so far.
Make that number βοΈ@RealJihaadC
πΊ: ABC pic.twitter.com/K7wU8T3AIjβ Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) September 29, 2024
Meanwhile, Jeremiah Smith is doing these kind of things for Ohio State tonight.
JEREMIAH SMITH IS INCREDIBLE π€―π₯
(via @NBCSports) pic.twitter.com/Dw7HByfeSXβ Rivals (@Rivals) September 29, 2024
Good Lord, Jeremiah Smith. pic.twitter.com/rWzG9H365V
β RJ Young (@RJ_Young) September 29, 2024
Oh my goodness. The Illini just had a disastrous finish to a possession after they'd worked it all the way down to the goal line. A shotgun snap flew high, but they were able to recover it. But Illinois just kept going backwards with penalties and ultimately settled on a 45-yard field goal attempt, which David Olano missed.
Bret Bielema and Co. won't be happy about how that possession ended. There's under a minute left in the half.
Oh no, Illinois π pic.twitter.com/teB8oeyEZj
β FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 29, 2024
Illinois misses a FG attempt now π pic.twitter.com/rS0hHPoZWH
β FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 29, 2024
That was a desperately needed score for the Bulldogs.
Trevor Etienne runs it in from 7 yards out and the Alabama lead is cut to 28-7.
THERE YOU GO, GEORGIA! Trevor Etienne gets in and Georgia is on the board pic.twitter.com/XV3eb9bZun
β Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) September 29, 2024
The former Alabama coach is keeping it professional. He is, after all, a member of the media now.
Everyone is shocked by Bamaβs 28-0 lead β except Nick Saban π pic.twitter.com/SymC8l6v8m
β Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 29, 2024