POSTGAME: Georgia Escapes Fourth-Quarter Surge from Auburn
As most expected, it was an ugly defensive battle at Jordan-Hare Stadium for the majority of Saturday's game between Georgia and Auburn. The Bulldogs defeated the Tigers 21-14 to move to 9-1 on the season, officially clinching the SEC East division title for the third straight season under Kirby Smart.
Georgia did just enough on offense in this one, first scoring on a 51-yard bomb to Dominick Blaylock in the first quarter. Just before the half, Georgia then executed a seven-play, 81-yard drive to score in just 59 seconds.
The Dawgs tacked on another score at the end of the third quarter on their longest drive of the contest. Spanning 12 plays and 88 yards for the score, the series milked 6:27 off the game clock.
After that scoring drive, however, Georgia's offense went completely stagnant. Two consecutive three-and-outs from the offense allowed Auburn multiple chances to tie the game.
QB, Bo Nix
Auburn did its best to climb back into things, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns.
With just over two minutes left in the game and down seven, the Tigers threatened to score yet again. After converting a pivotal fourth-and-9 with his legs, Bo Nix had the ball at Georgia's 34-yard line just a few plays later. But the freshman QB missed a wide-open receiver in the flat to force a turnover on downs.
Despite getting the ball back, Georgia failed to convert a first down. After forcing Gus Malzahn to call his third and final timeout, Jake Camarda punted the ball back to Auburn with 2:03 left, and the Bulldogs defense made its final stand of the day.
Georgia managed to leave the stadium relatively healthy following the statement road win over Auburn. Though both Devonte Wyatt and Michael Barnett spent time in the medical tent, they inevitably returned to action for the Dawgs.
Linemen Cade Mays and Ben Cleveland were replaced by Jamaree Salyer during the contest. Cleveland was seen in his usual position on the punt team as a personal protector, and Mays remained on the sideline. Their status will be updated shortly.
