Social media impressed with first half of Georgia-Alabama contest
The Georgia-Alabama game so far has been every bit as good as advertised in a back and forth first half that saw both offenses hit some big plays, while the defenses did their best to control things. The Bulldogs hold a 24-20 lead heading into the break.
Alabama got the scoring started with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Mac Jones to John Metchie. But the Bulldogs responded with a 10-yard Zamir White touchdown run. The Bulldogs have had four different running backs with a rush over 10 yards.
Related: Georgia leads 24-20 at halftime
The biggest play of the half for the Bulldogs came when James Cook got isolated on Alabama linebacker Chrisitan Harris. Cook — who missed last week’s game against Tennessee — raced right by Harris for an 82-yard touchdown to give Georgia a 14-7 lead.
It was also a great throw by Stetson Bennett IV to find Cook for the touchdown. It was the longest pass play for Georgia since the 2013 season and got a number of people talking.
THE MAILMAN COOKIN' UP TOUCHDOWNS pic.twitter.com/ClO8MmixWL
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 18, 2020
The Mailman delivers. What a throw!
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) October 18, 2020
Stetson Bennett stands tall in the pocket, takes a hit and rifles one to James Cook. Touchdown, Georgia.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) October 18, 2020
HOUSE CALL COOK!!! #GoDawgs!!!!
— FOST (@GeorgeFoster72) October 18, 2020
Stetson Bennett IV pic.twitter.com/b7hO51vVHF
— Morgan Weeks (@morganweeks) October 18, 2020
I will die for this QB
— Celia Palermo (@CeliaPalermo) October 18, 2020
I love it 3 & 4 ‼️
— Keith Marshall (@Truthh4) October 18, 2020
Stetson VI more. Miss the first two wide open, but have no fear — Alabama will leave a receiver wide open on a third straight down in the end zone.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) October 18, 2020
Cook had four receptions for 101 yards and the touchdown. Georgia also got wide receiver George Pickens involved as he had three catches for 48 yards.
Alabama would respond though, as it continued to find Devonta Smith, ultimately connecting on a 17-yard pass to tie the game at 17. But Bennett and Georgia responded with a late touchdown to Jermaine Burton just before the half.
Many in the national media have been impressed so far by both sides. Quarterback Mac Jones threw for 225 yards in the first half with two touchdowns and an interception. Bennett threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Bennett did also have an interception as well on Georgia’s opening drive.
In every game this season it seems Georgia's offensive line goes from OK to great in a matter of two to three possessions.
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) October 18, 2020
Bama and Georgia are each averaging 6.9 yards per play.
Nice.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) October 18, 2020
Slab. pic.twitter.com/YRPxR6Hjy1
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) October 18, 2020
There’s already A LOT going on in Bama/Georgia.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 18, 2020
My first CFB Weekend off in 32 years.. clears the deck: Now Entertain me, @KirbySmartUGA @AlabamaFTBL ! pic.twitter.com/FLQqwsKbue
— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) October 18, 2020
Doesn't it feel like an SEC quarterback named Stetson Bennett IV should have swoopier hair?
— Nick Suss (@nicksuss) October 18, 2020
Georgia’s D is not scared of playing man coverage even with all that speed that Bama has.
— David Pollack (@davidpollack47) October 18, 2020
There was one viral moment of the first half when Alabama coach Nick Saban pulled down his mask to yell at an official. Given much of the discussion surrounding Saban this week and if he’d be available to coach from the sideline, it’s not a surprise to see the social media reaction.
Naturally, many on social media wanted to be nowhere near Saban.
Nick Saban pulls off mask to yell at ref. Wouldn't be noteworthy except, well…
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) October 18, 2020
nick saban pulls his mask down and i’m a ref, he’s getting a personal foul tonight idc lol
— Harry Lyles Jr. (@harrylylesjr) October 18, 2020
There should be a 15 yard penalty for every time Nick Saban pulls his mask down tonight
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) October 18, 2020
Nick Saban lost contain on his mask there
— Tommy Tomlinson (@tommytomlinson) October 18, 2020
Nick Saban, who confirmed had Covid 19 earlier this week, mask off yelling at a referee. SEC FOOTBALL! pic.twitter.com/iRY8tUMx02
— Sports Analytics 24/7 (@SA247LLC) October 18, 2020
The second half of the game will air on CBS. It should be another big game between the two teams. It promises to be an entertaining affair.
More Georgia football stories from around DawgNation
- Georgia-Alabama: Game Time, TV Channel, how to watch online, odds for Week 7 game (October 17, 2020)
- Georgia football: The recruiting tale of the tape with Alabama and Nick Saban
- Georgia hall of famer David Pollack picks Alabama to beat Bulldogs
- Alabama coach Nick Saban second PCR test returns negative ahead of Georgia game
- Former Alabama great calls Nick Saban’s potential absence ‘detrimental’ for the Crimson Tide
- Kirby Smart explains why Jordan Davis’ size will play huge role for Georgia against Alabama
- Numbers game: Georgia offense on schedule, but not up to pace
- Riley: What the Alabama-Georgia football game means to me
- WATCH: Examining the impact of Nick Saban’s potential absence for Georgia-Alabama
- 5 questions with Alabama beat writer, where Tide is most susceptible
- Everything we know about the status of Georgia-Alabama following Nick Saban’s positive COVID-19 test
