No. 4 Alabama narrowly escaped a fierce challenge from No. 2 Georgia on Saturday night in what turned into a thrilling contest between two determined teams. The Crimson Tide ultimately prevailed with a 41-34 victory, keeping their undefeated season intact.
This marked a major milestone for new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, who has now secured his fourth win in as many games since taking over from the legendary Nick Saban. In what has been the Tide’s toughest test yet this season, DeBoer’s leadership was on full display, guiding his team through adversity and proving himself as a worthy successor to one of the greatest college football coaches of all time.
However, it wasn’t just the game itself that caught fans’ attention. After the final whistle, cameras captured a noteworthy postgame interaction between DeBoer and Georgia head coach Kirby Smart. As Smart jogged across the field, he approached DeBoer for the customary postgame handshake. Both coaches, surrounded by security, exchanged a few respectful words after a grueling battle.
The brief exchange between the two coaches quickly gained traction online. AL.com posted a 15-second video of the handshake on X (formerly Twitter), and within an hour, it had already amassed over 12,000 views, sparking conversation about the mutual respect between DeBoer and Smart.
Kalen 🤜🤛 Kirby
Kalen DeBoer and Kirby Smart shake hands after Alabama beats Georgia pic.twitter.com/zpyuGkKoWw
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) September 29, 2024
The game itself was a rollercoaster, with Alabama’s freshman standouts Ryan Williams and Zabien Brown playing pivotal roles in the Tide’s victory. Williams delivered a game-saving 75-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter, restoring Alabama’s lead after Georgia clawed back from a 28-point deficit. Meanwhile, Brown sealed the win with a clutch end-zone interception during Georgia’s final drive, led by quarterback Carson Beck.
For Kirby Smart, Alabama continues to be his Achilles heel since leaving Tuscaloosa to coach at Georgia. Since taking over in 2016, Smart holds a 1-6 record against Alabama, including 1-5 against Saban. His lone victory over the Tide came in the 2022 national championship game, where Georgia secured a 33-18 win. Saban’s retirement briefly lifted the weight off Georgia fans’ shoulders, but Saturday’s game showed that Alabama remains a formidable hurdle.
Next up, Alabama looks to extend their unbeaten streak as they prepare to take on Vanderbilt on Sunday.
