Bennett Kicks Georgia Past Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. —  In the end, the smallest man on the field showed just how tough Georgia really is.

Billy Bennett kicked a 32-yard field goal with 38 seconds left as the seventh-ranked Bulldogs blew a 12-point fourth quarter lead and recovered to beat No. 22 Alabama, 27-25, Saturday in a Southeastern Conference game.

“I was just thinking that we do this in practice everyday,” said Bennett, who is 5-feet-8, 168 pounds. “I saw time running down and I thought, ‘Oh goodness, this is coming down to me.’ ”

Thomas Davis intercepted Brodie Croyle’s pass on the next play from scrimmage to seal the win for Georgia (5-0, 2-0), the last unbeaten team in the conference.

The Bulldogs are off to their first 5-0 start since 1982 and ended a seven-game losing streak in Tuscaloosa.

“It’s just a great victory,” Georgia Coach Mark Richt said. “I’m proud to be with a group of men that made some history here.”

Alabama (4-2, 1-1) scored two touchdowns in a 63-second span midway through the fourth to take their first lead, 25-24, with 8:24 left. Croyle was stopped short on the subsequent two-point conversion attempt.

Both teams couldn’t do much with their next possessions, but Georgia got the ball back after Damien Gary’s 15-yard punt return at the Alabama 34 with 3:45 left.

Georgia’s Musa Smith rushed six consecutive times for 19 yards against the SEC’s top run defense, setting up Bennett’s kick.