Kirk Herbstreit reacts to chaotic ending in Georgia vs. Alabama

Zabien Brown has only been on campus for a few months but is now an Alabama hero. His interception in the endzone against Georgia got Kalen DeBoer his first-ever SEC win, stopping what was an incredible comeback from Kirby Smart‘s squad. Brown was picked on all night by the Bulldogs but pulled through in the dying moments.

ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit explained what the difference on the game-sealing play was, saying Brown’s cushioning off the receiver was huge. Getting his head in front of the ball let the true freshman from Mater Dei High School make a play. Previously, running with his man occupied most of his time.

“A few times it happened where the receiver got behind him,” Herbstreit began. “He was not really able to turn because he was playing catch up. That play, he gave himself about a 10-yard cushion, just in case they tried him again with Colbie Young. And they come to him. Because of that cushion, he was able to be in coverage and locate the ball. It gave him a chance to go up and make a play.”

Brown was not the only Alabama cornerback having a tough time in the second-half. While Carson Beck struggled in the first half, a huge second half performance gave Georgia a chance to win. Blown coverages were occurring all over the place downfield.

Unfortunately for Georgia, they fell just short and have lost their first regular season game since the 2020 season against Florida. A historic win streak is now over, coming at the hands of a team the program has struggled with despite all of their success.

Even so, it’s a new era of college football and Georgia’s season is far from over. Herbstreit praised the Bulldogs for finding a way to get back into Saturday night’s game when they look dead at times. More opportunites are upcoming to make a statement.

“This is a different era in terms of a 12-team Playoff,” Herbstreit said in the closing moments of the ABC broadcast. “I’m not focusing on the Playoff, I’m focusing on who should win tonight. But both of these teams, I think, are going to be in great position.

“If Georgia would have gotten blown out, the way it felt in the first half, who knows what happens? They’re reeling a bit but man, they showed a lot of character in the way they came back. Excited to see where they go from here.”