Georgia 20, Alabama 17: Game Recap and What It Means Before Tennessee (2026)
Final: No. 2 Georgia 20, No. 6 Alabama 17. Georgia kicked a 23-yard field goal with 5:27 left and held on to win at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night, Oct. 10, handing Alabama its first loss of the 2026 season. The Tide fall to 5-1 (3-1 SEC). Georgia moves to 6-0.
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Both teams came in unbeaten and scoring at a rate few teams in the country could match. Alabama entered as the only FBS team to put up at least 45 points in every game. That streak ended in a game that turned into a grind.
How did Georgia beat Alabama?
Georgia won it on the ground and by keeping the ball away from Alabama’s offense. The Bulldogs ran 39 times for 206 yards and held the ball for 33:28 to Alabama’s 26:32. Quarterback Gunner Stockton was efficient, completing 18 of 22 passes for 249 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and he added the go-ahead touchdown run in the third quarter.
Alabama’s offense moved the ball in spurts but could not finish the second half. The Tide were sacked four times for 29 yards, lost a fumble, and scored only three points after halftime.
Scoring summary
| Quarter | Time | Play | Score (ALA-UGA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3:29 | Georgia: Woodring 43-yard field goal | 0-3 |
| 2nd | 7:13 | Georgia: Stockton 20-yard TD pass to Humphreys (kick good) | 0-10 |
| 2nd | 5:55 | Alabama: Keelon Russell 22-yard TD pass to Pritchett (Talty kick) | 7-10 |
| 2nd | 0:03 | Alabama: Crowell 1-yard TD run (Talty kick) | 14-10 |
| 3rd | 10:45 | Georgia: Stockton 14-yard TD run (kick good) | 14-17 |
| 3rd | 5:11 | Alabama: Talty 39-yard field goal | 17-17 |
| 4th | 5:27 | Georgia: Woodring 23-yard field goal | 17-20 |
The best stretch of the night for the home crowd was the end of the first half. Down 10-0, Alabama answered with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Keelon Russell to Pritchett, then drove for a 1-yard Crowell touchdown with three seconds left to take a 14-10 lead into the locker room.
The numbers that decided it
| Stat | Alabama | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Total yards | 346 | 455 |
| Rushing | 29 for 161 | 39 for 206 |
| Passing | 16 of 31, 185 yds, 1 TD | 18 of 22, 249 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Sacks allowed | 4 (29 yds) | 1 |
| Turnovers | 1 (lost fumble) | 1 (interception) |
| Field goals | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
| Penalties | 5 for 50 | 7 for 57 |
| Time of possession | 26:32 | 33:28 |
Alabama ran the ball well when it ran it, averaging 5.6 yards a carry with a long of 58. But 31 passes against 29 runs, behind a line that gave up four sacks, put the Tide in long-yardage spots in the second half. Georgia’s defense came in allowing under 2 yards per carry, and it was the pressure up front, not the run defense, that did the most damage.
Who does Alabama play next?
Alabama travels to Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 17, with kickoff at 2:30 p.m. Central at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. The Tide won last year’s meeting 37-20. After that, Texas A&M comes to Bryant-Denny on Oct. 24 at 2:30 p.m., then Alabama has its open date on Oct. 31.
A one-loss Alabama team is still very much alive in the SEC and playoff race, but there is little room left. Tennessee on the road is the kind of game that decides whether Saturday was a bump or a trend.
Where should you watch Alabama at Tennessee in Tuscaloosa?
With an afternoon road kickoff, expect the Strip’s sports bars to fill up by early afternoon. Our guide to sports bars in Tuscaloosa covers the places with the most screens, and our Tuscaloosa bars and nightlife guide breaks down the Strip and downtown. For the day’s deals, check our daily bar and food specials.
Plan your ride home before you go out. UA’s 348-RIDE night service (205-348-7433) and rideshare apps both run on game days.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score of the Alabama vs. Georgia game?
Georgia won 20-17 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Oct. 10, 2026. Alabama led 14-10 at halftime.
What is Alabama’s record now?
Alabama is 5-1 overall and 3-1 in SEC play after the loss to Georgia.
What time is the Alabama vs. Tennessee game?
Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. Central at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.
Scores and statistics are from the official box score. Own a bar or restaurant near campus? Sponsor our game recaps.
Clay.
As founder of TuscaloosaStudentHousing.com, he combines that local knowledge with hands-on research of the Tuscaloosa rental market to publish practical, honest guides for University of Alabama students living off campus.
