GIF recap: Breaking down Alabama’s defensive third-down success at Georgia

Alabama safety Keon Sabb (3) celebrates a third-down stop against Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA on Saturday, Sep 27, 2025.

Kirby Smart praised Ty Simpson for his quick delivery, as the Alabama quarterback helped the Crimson Tide convert on 12 of 19 third-down attempts during its 24-21 win at Georgia over the weekend. While Simpson picked apart Georgia’s secondary when it mattered most, Alabama’s defense caused just as much of a headache for the Bulldogs on third downs. 

Georgia converted just 2 of 8 third-down opportunities, failing to pick one up until late in the third quarter. Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton was 1 of 4 on third-down throws, with his only completion coming on a 22-yard pass in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Georgia attempted four third-down runs, resulting in a combined 18 yards — the majority of which came on a 21-yard keeper from Stockton.

Here’s a breakdown of Alabama’s third-down success and how the Tide was able to get Georgia off the field over the weekend.

Third-and-8 from the Georgia 27 | 14:24, 1Q 

Georgia came out flat during the game’s opening possession. Running back Nate Frazier ran into a wall of defenders for a 2-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage, before Colbie Young failed to haul in an out pass to the left sideline, setting up a third-and-long for the Bulldogs. 

With Georgia lined up out of the shotgun, Alabama brought four rushers. Stockon was given plenty of time to throw the ball, but linebacker Deontae Lawson did a great job of reading the quarterback’s eyes and was able to jump a route over the middle and deflect the pass for an incompletion. 

Lawson nearly came up with the interception, getting two hands on the ball. From there, Zachariah Branch nearly came up with a circus catch off the deflection but was unable to see the ball in following the deflection.