We are just days removed from Saturday night’s thrilling game between Alabama and Georgia, dramatically won by the Crimson Tide by a final score of 41-34. The game is already approaching legendary status, with the iconic Paul Finebaum going as far as to call it one of the best SEC games he has ever seen.
On Monday’s episode of The Tony Kornheiser Show Ryan McGee of ESPN called in to speak with the host regarding that contest, and at the end of his summation he had this to say about Saturday night’s epic tilt between two teams we all expect to see meet again this year.
“A 17-year-old is the one who electrified the nation.”
That 17-year-old? None other than Ryan Williams, who has quickly become one of the most, to borrow McGee’s phrasing, electrifying players in all of college football. Williams entered Saturday night’s contest with 10 receptions for 285 yards and 4 touchdowns, already pacing the Crimson Tide passing game.
But what he did Saturday night will be remembered around Tuscaloosa for decades, if not longer.
On the biggest college football stage yet this season, and certainly the biggest of Williams’ young career, the Alabama freshman broke out with 6 catches for 177 yards and a touchdown that Crimson Tide fans will be telling their grandchildren about.
Before that moment, however, there were other incredible plays from Williams. The first was this 21-yard reception from midway in the second quarter, where the freshman receiver showcased his impressive change of direction skills with a catch on a curl route, and then a cut that left the defender grasping for air.
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In the third quarter, with Alabama holding a 30-15 lead and the Bulldogs clawing back into the game, Williams delivered this highlight-reel moment, a spinning, tip-drill reception for a 54-yard gain:
Alabama finished off that drive with a field goal, to take a 33-15 lead.
As you probably know, that lead evaporated during the fourth quarter. Georgia QB Carson Beck threw a pair of touchdown passes in the final frame, the second of which gave the Bulldogs a 34-33 lead with just over two minutes remaining. The crowd at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium — we’re still getting used to that name — was stunned into silence, as it appeared Alabama was on the verge of coughing up what at one point was a 30-7 lead.
Their offense needed one play to retake the lead, and it came courtesy of Williams. His 75-yard touchdown reception from Jalen Milroe had everything, from a tough adjustment to the throw, another incredible change-of-direction move to shake a defender, and a sprint to the end zone:
Here is that play from another angle, showcasing Williams’ spin away from the pair of Georgia defenders:
And for the full effect, here is the TV angle of the play, complete with the call from ESPN’s Chris Fowler:
Williams now has 16 catches for 462 yards and 5 touchdowns, all of which lead the Crimson Tide. He is well on pace to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards as a true freshman, something that has not happened at Alabama since 2012 when Amari Cooper accomplished that feat.
Yet just four games into his freshman season, Williams has already done something else.
Deliver a moment that electrified a nation, and saved the Crimson Tide in one of the best college football games you will ever see.
