How nearly throwing interception helped Ty Simpson lock in versus Georgia

Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) looks for an open receiver during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

One of Ty Simpson’s first passes in the Alabama-Georgia game was nearly picked off as Simpson made a bad throw when targeting Isaiah Horton when rolling out of the pocket, but Ryan Grubb believes this play helped Simpson lock in for the rest of the night.

“I thought the boot obviously early on in the first drive back to his right was by far, Ty would tell you the same thing, it was the worse play he had all night,” Grubb said. “Luckily, it didn’t get in their hands, but for him, I thought that actually dialed him in for the rest of the game. He’s like, ‘OK, I know what I got to do’ and he made all of those plays. He made all those reads he needed to and didn’t put the ball in jeopardy.”

From that moment on, the first-year starter went on a tear against Georgia. Simpson went on to complete 24 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns as well as rushing for a touchdown against the Bulldogs.

For Simpson, that near interception was a turning point for him, and he gave him a moment to remember what he needed to do in order to dial into the game.

“Yeah absolutely,” Simpson said. “I know better than that, right? I was trying to make a play. I knew Isaiah was open early, but I just tried to do too much, you know what I mean? After that, I was like, ‘Alright, just take a deep breath. Just relax. Go do what I do.” Make the easiest part easy, and you know, calm down and go through my reads. So, after that, I felt like I really just took in the experience and just played ball.”

Although he didn’t connect with Horton on that play, Simpson got the football in the hands of Horton five times for 65 yards and an impressive touchdown play where Simpson was rolling out of the pocket again, but he threw it exactly where Horton stopped to get away from the Georgia defenders that were rotating across the field with Simpson.

For a quarterback making his first SEC start, Simpson had a fantastic showing against Georgia. He will look to keep up his consistent play as Vanderbilt rolls into Tuscaloosa for an SEC clash this Saturday.