TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 2 Georgia found a way to win Saturday night, overcoming a halftime deficit and a handful of injuries to knock off No. 6 Alabama 20-17 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The win gave Georgia its first regular-season victory over the Crimson Tide since 2007 and kept the Bulldogs undefeated after six games.

It wasn’t always pretty.

Both offenses moved the ball, combining for more than 800 yards, but points were hard to come by in a physical SEC showdown decided in the final minutes.

“Just a physical game, back and forth, some critical calls, critical situations,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said. “At the end of the day, our quarterback played well enough for us to win.”

With Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens sidelined, Dwight Phillips Jr. stepped into a larger role and delivered one of the biggest performances of his young career. Phillips rushed for 120 yards on 17 carries, helping Georgia overcome the absence of its top two running backs.

“This Dwight Phillips, man, I don’t know how special this kid is,” Smart said. “He ain’t complained one time since being here, and he’s so tough for his size.”

Georgia strikes first, Alabama responds

Georgia struck first after Joseph Jonah-Ajonye forced an Alabama fumble that Quintavious Johnson recovered midway through the opening quarter.

The Bulldogs couldn’t find the end zone, but Peyton Woodring connected on a 43-yard field goal to give Georgia a 3-0 lead.

Georgia extended its advantage early in the second quarter behind a 93-yard touchdown drive engineered by Gunner Stockton.

Starting at their own 7-yard line, the Bulldogs converted a critical third down, then Stockton connected with Jaden Reddell for 53 yards. He capped the possession with a 20-yard touchdown pass to London Humphreys, putting Georgia ahead 10-0.

Georgia wide receiver London Humphreys (16) celebrates with running back Nick Peal (30) after scoring a touchdown during the Bulldogs’ 20-17 victory over Alabama on Oct. 10, 2026, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Joseph Sisson/DawgTime)

Alabama answered quickly.

Quarterback Keelon Russell connected with Marshall Pritchett for a 22-yard touchdown after Trae’Shawn Brown ran for 58 yards to set up the score.

Bray Hubbard intercepted Stockton on Georgia’s next possession, but the Bulldogs’ defense prevented Alabama from capitalizing.

The Crimson Tide took the lead just before halftime, driving 75 yards in 1:42. EJ Crowell scored from a yard out as time expired, putting Alabama ahead 14-10 at the break.

It was Georgia’s first deficit this season.

Bulldogs answer in second half

The Bulldogs wasted little time responding.

Georgia opened the second half with a touchdown drive highlighted by a 17-yard run from Bo Walker and a 30-yard third-down completion to Craig Dandridge Jr.

Stockton finished the possession himself, scoring on a 14-yard run to put Georgia back in front 17-14.

Alabama tied the game later in the third quarter on a 39-yard field goal after Chris Cole batted down a third-down pass.

The teams remained deadlocked at 17 entering the fourth quarter.

Georgia makes winning plays down the stretch

Woodring missed a 39-yard field goal early in the final period, and Georgia nearly gave Alabama another chance when a punt was muffed deep in Bulldogs territory. Blake Stewart recovered the loose ball, however, preserving possession.

With the game hanging in the balance, Phillips and Walker helped Georgia get its running game going. With 5:25 remaining, Woodring connected on a field goal to give the Bulldogs a 20-17 lead.

Smart credited offensive coordinator Mike Bobo with calling the right plays when Georgia needed them most.

“Says we got a really good offensive coordinator that all y’all like to criticize, because he called those plays,” Smart said. “He designed them, and then his staff put them together.”

Georgia’s defense made another critical stand late, forcing Alabama out of field goal range and allowing Stockton to finish the game.

The quarterback delivered, converting a crucial third down to help the Bulldogs run out the clock.

“I told Mike, be aggressive,” Smart said. “We’re not playing to run it and punt. We’re gonna try to win the game right now.”

The win was especially meaningful for Georgia, which hadn’t beaten Alabama in a regular-season game since its 26-23 overtime win in Tuscaloosa nearly two decades earlier.

But Smart wasn’t interested in dwelling on the past. Instead, he pointed to the effort required to beat a top-10 opponent on the road.

“It wasn’t about Alabama,” Smart said. “It was about an SEC road win against a top-10 team. And that, to me, is what we work for.”

With another SEC challenge approaching, Smart made it clear the Bulldogs couldn’t celebrate for long.

“Humility’s a week away, guys,” he said.