See Alabama football receiver John Metchie III deliver a hit that causes a Florida fumble

Alabama football receiver John Metchie III became a defensive back at least for one play during the 2020 Southeastern Conference Championship against the Florida Gators on Saturday in Atlanta.

Midway through the first quarter, Florida Gators defensive back Trey Dean III intercepted a pass by Alabama quarterback Mac Jones at the Florida 12-yard line. 

Dean started to return the pick, but Metchie got in the way. 

Metchie lowered his shoulder and delivered a hit that caused Dean to fumble the ball. Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith recovered the ball after Dean fumbled it.

See John Metchie III hit on UF's Trey Dean III

After Smith recovered Dean's fumble, Alabama took over at the Florida 31-yard line with 6:21 left in the first quarter. 

On the next play, Jones threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Smith that put Alabama ahead 14-7.

Alabama defeated Florida 52-46. 

Alabama, ranked No. 1 in the Amway Coaches Poll, improved to 11-0 overall. The No. 11-ranked Florida Gators went to 8-3 overall. 

After Saturday, the Alabama Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 28-14 against the UF Gators.

Here's more Alabama football news: 

• Alabama trick play:See how Mac Jones' acting leads to Miller Forristall first down on trick play for Alabama
• Betting odds:SEC Championship 2020: Alabama vs. Florida Gators football betting line, point spread
• Landon Dickerson:Alabama lineman Landon Dickeron's flop, dancing vs. LSU football make him fan favorite
• DeVonta Smith:See the CBS video story on Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith and his barber Vincent Sanders

Nick Saban is the Alabama Crimson Tide football head coach. Dan Mullen is the Florida Gators football head coach. 

Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.