Alabama Coach Kalen DeBoer Humble in Victory, Praises Georgia's Key Fourth-Down Conversions

**TUSCALOOSA** — Alabama’s offense, under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, came out firing, scoring touchdowns on its first four drives. However, DeBoer knew that sustaining such dominance against a Kirby Smart-coached Georgia team wouldn’t be easy.

Georgia fought back in the second half, overcoming a disastrous start to take a 34-33 lead, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. DeBoer’s Tide responded with a game-winning touchdown, while Georgia’s final drive ended in heartbreak—an interception in the end zone.

“They’re a great football team, you know you’re going to face pushback,” DeBoer said in his postgame interview with ABC. “I’m proud of our guys for coming back with some firepower and making plays when it mattered most.”

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe delivered a standout performance, completing 27 of 33 passes for 374 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 117 rushing yards and two more scores on 16 carries. His 75-yard touchdown pass to freshman Ryan Williams with just 2:18 remaining answered a 67-yard bomb from Georgia quarterback Carson Beck to Dillon Bell that had briefly given the Bulldogs a 34-33 advantage.

“It took all four quarters, and there were definitely times where they made a run,” DeBoer acknowledged, as Alabama improved to 4-0 in its SEC opener. “Tip your cap to Georgia, they’re a heck of a football team.”

Kirby Smart, who spent nine years under Nick Saban at Alabama, remained gracious in defeat, crediting the atmosphere and the quality of Alabama’s performance. "One hell of a game," Smart said. “We just weren’t prepared, and that falls on me.”

DeBoer was particularly impressed with Georgia’s resilience, especially their perfect 5-for-5 conversion rate on fourth downs in the second half. "Those fourth-down conversions kept them in the game," he noted. "If we stop one or two of those, the game looks a lot different."

Despite Carson Beck's struggles, including three interceptions, a fumble, and a safety, the Georgia quarterback threw for a career-high 439 yards on 27-of-50 passing, nearly leading an improbable comeback.

Looking ahead, DeBoer knows Alabama will face more tough battles, including upcoming matchups against Vanderbilt, South Carolina, and a rivalry game with Tennessee. “Every week in the SEC is a challenge, and teams will bring their best shot,” DeBoer said, adding that Alabama remains focused on the path ahead.

Alabama’s victory gives them an inside track over Georgia for a spot in the SEC Championship, with the head-to-head win being a critical tiebreaker. However, both teams could still meet again, either in the SEC title game or in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.