Alabama Fans Pelt Field With Bottles After Controversial Loss to Georgia
Incensed Alabama supporters reacted to a series of late-game penalties by throwing debris onto the field, leading Georgia players to be escorted off the field.
Alabama fans launched bottles and cans onto the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium following a controversial 20-17 loss to rival Georgia on Saturday night. The frustration of the Crimson Tide faithful erupted after officials did not call a pass-interference penalty on Georgia safety J.K. Bolden with three minutes remaining. Bolden sacked Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell on the subsequent play, pushing the Crimson Tide out of field-goal range.
Adding to Alabama's woes, cornerback Dijon Lee Jr. was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after a shoving match with Georgia's Craig Dandridge, allowing the Bulldogs to run out the clock. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer expressed surprise at the fan reaction, stating he "would have never expected that to happen."
The game proceeded despite Hurricane Isaias making landfall Friday night. Georgia's victory, coupled with top-ranked Texas's loss to Oklahoma, is expected to elevate the Bulldogs to the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 poll.
Georgia's offense was led by Dwight Phillips Jr., who ran for 120 yards, and Bo Walker, who added 69 yards. Quarterback Gunnar Stockton contributed both of Georgia's touchdowns, one through the air and another on the ground. The Bulldogs accumulated 206 rushing yards in the contest.
Stockton completed 18 of 22 passes for 249 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. For Alabama, Russell finished 16 of 30 for 185 yards and a touchdown, along with 41 rushing yards. Star receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams left the game twice due to injury, first with a left leg issue and later for a concussion evaluation after his head appeared to hit the ground while attempting a catch.