‘You Got Ripped Off,’ ‘Refs Lost This Game for Bama’ — Alabama Fans Question the Officials After End-Zone No-Call in 20-17 Loss to Georgia

No. 6 Alabama lost 20-17 to No. 2 Georgia on Saturday night, the Crimson Tide’s first defeat of the season.

Georgia went ahead on Peyton Woodring’s 23-yard field goal with just over five minutes left. On Alabama’s next drive, quarterback Keelon Russell threw for Rico Scott in the end zone, and officials did not penalize Georgia defensive back KJ Bolden for pass interference. Bolden shared a sack on the next play that knocked Alabama out of field-goal range.

Alabama punted and never got the ball back.

Fans Divided Over Officiating in Alabama Loss to Georgia

After Georgia knelt out the clock in Tuscaloosa, Alabama Football, the Crimson Tide’s official account, posted its sign-off, “Final.”

Scott was knocked down on Russell’s end-zone throw, and the Alabama sideline, coach Kalen DeBoer included, was furious after the play.

One Alabama fan answering the team’s post was blunt about how the night was officiated. “You got ripped off. You played well enough to win.”

The ruling on Russell’s throw to Scott was not the only one that went Georgia’s way. Late in the third quarter, an apparent Alabama interception deep in Georgia territory was ruled incomplete after a review.

BUILD THE CFP FIELD:PFN’s Free CFB Playoff Predictor

Another fan rattled off that play along with what the fan called a clear pass interference and a missed facemask call before landing on a verdict. “Refs lost this game for Bama.”

Georgia drew more flags than Alabama, seven for 57 yards to five for 50, including a first-quarter holding call that took a touchdown off the board.

A Georgia fan had little patience for the officiating complaints. “All Bama does these days is make excuses.”

Dijon Lee Penalty Seals Alabama Loss to Georgia

Still, Alabama had one more chance after the punt, needing a stop on a Georgia third down with no timeouts left. Instead, defensive back Dijon Lee Jr. was called for a personal foul for shoving a Georgia player in the face, giving the Bulldogs the first down they needed to kneel out the clock.

Alabama fans were divided over how much of the loss belonged to the officials and how much to Lee, and some put it on both. One Alabama fan wrote that SEC officiating embarrassed itself before turning to Lee.

“Dijon Lee better not start another game for the Tide this season.”

Alabama had left chances on the field earlier, too, going backward and punting after Bray Hubbard intercepted Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton at the Georgia 29 in the second quarter.

In a halftime interview with Alabama up 14-10, DeBoer said the Crimson Tide had missed some opportunities with good field position and was so close on its execution. “It’s not like guys are missing assignments. Guys just got to execute a little bit better.”

CHECK YOUR TEAM’S ODDS:PFN’s CFB FPM

Another Alabama fan left the officials out of it entirely. “Obviously disappointing, but I’m proud of the fight the guys showed.”

Georgia outgained Alabama 455-346 and ran for 206 yards without leading rusher Nate Frazier, with running back Dwight Phillips Jr. carrying 17 times for 120 yards. It was Georgia’s first regular-season win over Alabama since 2007, and Georgia coach Kirby Smart entered the night 2-7 against the Crimson Tide.

Looking Ahead in Week 7 to Tennessee

Alabama, now 5-1 and 3-1 in the SEC, plays at No. 15 Tennessee in next Saturday’s Week 7 game at Neyland Stadium. Pro Football Network’s College Football Playoff Meter, as of October 10, 2026, projected that a loss to Georgia would leave the Crimson Tide with an 84.4% chance to make the playoff.

Russell, whose PFN Impact grade of 92.2 through Week 5 of the FBS season ranks third of 165 graded and qualified quarterbacks, finished 16 of 31 for 185 yards and a touchdown against Georgia. PFN’s College Football Playoff Meter, in that same projection, gave Alabama a 71.4% chance to win at Tennessee.

Receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, who entered the night leading Alabama with 376 receiving yards, left the Georgia game twice, first with an apparent left leg injury and then to be evaluated for a concussion late in the game.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.