John Metchie on Jameson Williams targeting call, message to Alabama players in Iron Bowl

Losing Jameson Williams was a huge blow for Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Fellow Crimson Tide wide receiver John Metchie said Williams still played a bowl in the 4OT win over Auburn, though.

After he was ejected for targeting, Williams came back onto the sidelines to cheer on his teammates. He remained active on the sideline, though, and got other players ready to go back on the field.

Metchie called that the “‘Bama way.”

“It was tough was tough,” Metchie said of Williams’ ejection. “It was tough, them doing my boy like that. But he did a good job of not letting it affect the game and picking everybody up. He was on the sidelines with the offense and the defense getting everybody going. It’s just the whole ‘Bama way of the next man up.”

Williams is the SEC’s leading receiver, averaging 105.1 yards per game and catching 13 touchdowns this season. Alabama finally scored its first touchdown with 24 seconds left when Bryce Young found Ja’Corey Brooks to force overtime.

Ultimately, the Crimson Tide outlasted the Tigers 24-22 in 4OT to come away with the Iron Bowl victory. Alabama is now getting ready to face No. 1 Georgia this week in the SEC Championship. Kickoff for that game is coming up Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on CBS.

Kirby Smart impressed by Jameson Williams, Alabama receiving corp

Even with a historic, top-ranked defense, Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs won’t have it easy this weekend against Alabama, as Heisman Trophy favorite Bryce Young and wide receivers like Jameson Williams have created matchup nightmares all year.

Smart and Georgia had another dominating performance during rivalry week, steamrolling Georgia Tech 45-0, but Alabama barely snuck past a struggling Auburn team in the Iron Bowl. The Crimson Tide won just 24-22 in four overtime periods, and Young had one of his least productive performances to date, completing just 49 percent of his passes for 317 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Williams, on the other hand, had his second-worst performance of the season, reeling in just two catches for 43 yards — but only because of a targeting call resulting in his ejection.

Williams will be back in the Crimson Tide offense this weekend for the SEC Championship game, and Smart conveyed immense respect for the the Alabama wideout.

“They’ve got one of the best players in the country in transfer, and he’s elite. He’s really good. The guy comes out and dominates at gunner. He’s a weapon out at wideout,” Smart said on the SEC Championship teleconference of Williams, who transferred this offseason from Ohio State to Alabama. “He does a tremendous job.”