Georgia bounces back, defeats Auburn

Published 9:33 am Monday, October 7, 2024

ATHENS – After a heartbreaking loss to Alabama, Georgia bounced back on Saturday to defeat Auburn 31-13. This victory came in a week where SEC giants were toppling against lower-ranked teams everywhere – Tennessee to Arkansas, Missouri to Texas A&M, and, most notably, Alabama to Vanderbilt.

But Georgia was determined to take advantage of their first SEC home game by preventing Hugh Freeze’s Tigers from becoming part the trend. Auburn entered the game with a 2-3 record, though Kirby Smart noted all week leading up to the game that Auburn is a tough opponent and humility is always a week away in the SEC, as the Vols and Tide learned.

Georgia’s offense got hot early as they took it 75 yards down the field in 12 plays, finished by a Trevor Etienne touchdown from 2 yards out. Auburn responded with its own 64-yard drive, but after Mykel Williams came up with a big stop on third down, Auburn settled for a field goal.

Both teams then spent most of the second quarter punting the football. The Dawgs struggled to find explosive plays as they were held to just 3 yards per rush in the first half. Carson Beck played well completing 14 of 16 passes, but Auburn limited Georgia to check down throws and screen passes, keeping the Dawgs to 124 yards through the air.

However, Georgia went into the locker room with momentum. Georgia took possession with 1:02 left in the second quarter, and after five plays Beck pulled a magic trick out of his hat by finding Dominic Lovett for a touchdown on a pass that went through Dillon Bell’s hands. Auburn had a chance to put three on the board before the half was up with a 54-yard field goal attempt, but Georgia’s ever-reliable senior defensive back Dan Jackson blocked the attempt, and the Dawgs went into the locker room with a 14-3 lead.

In the third quarter, Auburn struck first after running back Jarquez Hunter broke open on a 38-yard touchdown. But Georgia responded with the next two scores, first by Etienne on his second of the game, and then by Beck who found Dillon Bell on a slant route making it 28-10. Both teams traded field goals in the fourth, and Georgia ran the clock out to secure the 31-13 victory.

It was a good performance from Georgia as they racked up 381 yards of offense, converted 7-of-14 on third down, and held Auburn to only a touchdown and two field goals. But there is still a lot of work to be done for Georgia’s offense.

After the game, UGA head coach Kirby Smart noted, “[Our offense] really has not cut it loose in a game this season. I don’t know that we did today, but we were closer to doing it.”

Georgia will continue their home stand next week against 1-4 Mississippi State. Kickoff will be a 4:15 p.m. on the SEC Network.