Alabama’s athletic department said Sunday night that it was looking into the behavior of some fans after Saturday’s 20-17 loss to Georgia, calling what happened “unacceptable.”
In a statement sent to AL.com, UA athletics said, “We are disappointed by the unacceptable behavior exhibited by some of the game’s attendees last night and are in the process of gathering information,” UA athletics said in the statement. “Alabama takes matters of fan conduct seriously and expects everyone at our events to demonstrate respect to the student-athletes, coaches, staff, officials and visitors. Such conduct will not be tolerated.”
The issue came after some attendees threw garbage onto Saban Field following No. 2 Georgia’s win over No.
6 Alabama. The items included water bottles and beer cans.
A public address announcer told the crowd to stop, but the throwing continued, and Georgia players wound up keeping their helmets on as they left the field.
Alabama’s loss came down to the final sequence of the game. The Crimson Tide believed they should have gotten a defensive pass interference call on a pass intended for Rico Scott in the end zone. Alabama then gave up a sack on the next third down, got pushed out of field goal range and had to punt, ending its final chance without getting the ball back.
Austin said that KJ Bolden was not playing the ball on the pass attempt to Scott.
“He gets there early,” Austin said. “The ball hits him in the back. It should have been a pass interference.”
There was also a helmet-to-helmet hit on Ryan Coleman-Williams earlier in the game that was not flagged. Coleman-Williams left with a head injury and did not return.
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Georgias Win Was Just Overshadowed By An Ugly Alabama Tunnel Incident
Georgias 20-17 win over Alabama had already packed enough drama into the night, with the Bulldogs leaning on a strong rushing effort from Dwight Phillips Jr. and Bo Walker while Gunner Stockton managed the offense with 249 passing yards and a touchdown. But the postgame mood near the stadium tunnel turned ugly in a hurry, shifting attention away from the field and toward a scene that had nothing to do with football.
Near the tunnel, an Alabama fan physically confronted Georgia linebacker Raylen Wilson, slapping and shoving his helmet in an incident captured by reporter Reggie Chatman Jr. Witnesses said the fan also used a racially degrading term during the encounter, turning an already tense exit from the stadium into an incident that stood out even in a rivalry game that had plenty of edge before the final whistle. [Read more 🡒]
Finebaum Defends Kalen DeBoer After Alabamas Painful Georgia Finish
Georgias 20-17 win over Alabama left plenty for Tide fans to argue about, but Paul Finebaum zeroed in on the officiating more than the final score. The SEC pundit took aim at a late fourth-quarter pass interference no call, calling it a terrible decision and saying the conference office ought to explain it.
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Alabama Fans Crossed A Line After Georgia Loss
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It was the kind of moment that cast a shadow over an already tense game and added another layer to the disappointment in Tuscaloosa. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer had already drawn attention for his comments about a controversial non-call during the game, and he also acknowledged his teams responsibility as the aftermath of the loss became part of the conversation. [Read more 🡒]