Athens, GA – Auburn went down to Georgia looking for a game to steal, but with a punchless offense, it couldn’t pull off the deal. Sorry Charlie…Daniels that is. The Tigers went down to the tune of 31-13. Despite the 18-point margin, the Tigers didn’t play poorly. Its defense made stops early on and the offense didn’t turn the ball over. When they had their moments, the Georgia defense basically rose to the occasion.
The impression by Auburn and Georgia fans alike figured that the Bulldogs were primed to make up for their 41-34 loss to Alabama a week ago. The loss dropped them from No. 2 to No. 4. However, on this occasion, all SEC eyes, including those in Sanford Stadium this day, turned their eyes and ears, when possible, to follow the game in Nashville. There, No. 1 Alabama played unranked 1-2 Vanderbilt. That’s Vandy, infamous as the traditional doormat of the SEC.
Great Tailgate in Athens
After a sundrenched but great tailgate in a local student housing apartment building owned by some UGA fans and alumni friends of my long-time, Auburn friend Charlie Murren, we enjoyed a great time talking football before the game with his friend BJ and others. Kevin, Charlie IV’s father-in-law, provided me with some suggestions for my trip to Wisconsin when I see the Badgers host Oregon. In particular, we talked about planning my visit to Green Bay the day after that though the Packers play in Chicago. Even before the game, the talk turned to the discussions of how it was easy it was for most SEC fans to dislike Alabama fans! That brought more focused attention later to the game in Nashville.
As expected, first-half action Georgia’s way
Georgia started off the scoring with Trevor Etienne’s two-yard touchdown run to polish off a 75-yard drive (I was hoping this was a sign for Travis who I have in a fantasy football league on Sundays, but I digress now). Before the first period came to a conclusion, Auburn’s Towns McGough put up three from 27 to put the Tigers on the board. Both teams punted twice without scoring until late in the second quarter.
With 17 seconds remaining, Carson Beck completed an 11-yard TD pass to Dominic Lovett for a 14-3 lead. A 25-yard kickoff return and facemask penalty put AU at their 40. A Payton Thorne scramble out of bounds for 15 yards and a nine-yard pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith (former Penn Stater) put the Tigers on the 36. With seconds left, the Bulldogs blocked McGough’s kick to keep the first half scoring intact.
Odes to Uga’s
BJ had invited me previously to go see the Bulldog memorials in Sanford for all the former UGA Bulldog mascots. He said we’d have to go before halftime to see them, but I told him my focus was on the game during the action. If not for the delays getting seats into a very poorly managed traffic flow behind the student section on the way in, it would have been nice to have planned for that before the game. We’ll know better next time.
A War Eagle take off, but…
To start the third, Auburn took over after a quick three and out by the Bulldogs. Offensively, the period couldn’t have started better start for AU. They started from their 32 and got down to their 38. There, Jarquez Hunter swept around to left side and down field to cut the UGA lead, 14-10. On the following Georgia possession, Auburn stuffed a play on third and one at the UGA 45. On fourth down, however, Beck plunged through for the first down. The Dawgs continued to roll.
Beck (23 for 29, 240 yards and two TDs) connected with WR Colbie Young for 27 yards. Etienne rambled for 21 more to the two. After two stops, he went through the middle on third and goal at the one. One ref initially signaled fourth down, but the second signaled for a score. Without clear evidence, the latter stood. UGA led now, 21-10. The Tigers started their ensuing drive from the 35.
Georgia lands
Entering the final period, AU went for the first down on a fourth and one at their 44-yard line. Unlike the Dawgs, they couldn’t covert. QB Payton Thorne was dropped for a four-yard loss, and Georgia took over. Two Beck passes of 17 and 13 yards along with a roughing the passer call put the home team at the Tiger five. Thereafter, Beck connected with WR Dillon Bell in the end zone for a three-yard score to extend their lead. On their next drive, Auburn converted for a first down with a pass on fourth and eight at the Georgia 42. However, once again their drive faltered at the UGA eight, and they settled for McGough’s kick from there.
Georgia answered with a three-pointer of their own with Peyton Woodring’s 47 yarder with 1:50 left to play. The clock wound down to a Georgia victory and Bulldog celebrations. The stadium emptied as fans from both schools went out to hear about the doings back in Nashville. There, Vanderbilt pulled the upset after a 60-year drought to beat Bama, 40-35. Fans from both teams playing that day at Sanford Stadium had something to celebrate!
Next Week’s slate
Georgia (4-1, 2-1), now No. 5 ranked ahead of No. 7 Alabama, hosts Mississippi State (1-4, 0-2). Auburn (2-4, 0-3) travels to face No. 21 Missouri (4-1, 1-1). These Tigers fell for the first time this season to Texas A&M the previous week, 41-10. We at Collegefootballfan.com take kind of a breather this weekend. We only go to one game.
Looking forward to catching up with a great friend, Mike Meyer (not the one from the movies) from my former working days up in Michigan along with his family for a big tailgate party! We’ll attend a game at Central Michigan, his and most of his family’s alma mater. The Chippewa’s (3-2, 1-0) match up against Mid-American foes, the Ohio U. Bobcats (3-2,1-0). This should be a good game. This will be our first game at CMU’s Peden Stadium and our 94th FBS venue. We haven’t seen the Chips play since they lost at Syracuse back in September of 1999. Looking forward to this one.
-ed. by Steve Koreivo, Member of Football Writers Association of America
Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to get your copy and submit a review today. Thanks!