Auburn football hit the road for the first time on Saturday in hopes of shocking No. 5 Georgia and earning its first SEC win of the season.
Despite not committing a turnover and posting similar stats to the home-standing Bulldogs, Auburn struggled to find the end zone in its 31-13 loss to Georgia on Saturday at Sanford Stadium in Athens.
Georgia outgained Auburn 381-337 and out-rushed the Tigers by four yards, 141-137. However, Auburn could not execute the necessary plays to outscore the Bulldogs. Auburn scored on both red zone trips and converted just 4-of-12 third downs. Georgia found points on its four visits to the red zone and converted 50% of its third-down chances, going 7-for-14.
Each team traded scores in the first quarter, with Georgia holding a 7-3 advantage. Georgia running back Trevor Etienne gave the Bulldogs the early lead with 6:24 to go in the first quarter on a two-yard touchdown rush. Auburn answered with 0:56 to go in the opening period thanks to a 27-yard field goal from Towns McGough.
The score remained until the late stages of the second quarter when Georgia quarterback Carson Beck connected with receiver Dominic Lovett for an 11-yard touchdown pass with 0:17 to go in the first half to extend the Georgia lead to 14-3.
Auburn trimmed Georgia’s lead to 14-10 with 9:45 in the third quarter when running back Jarquez Hunter turned on the jets for a 38-yard touchdown run. Georgia responded with 3:50 remaining in the quarter with a one-yard run from Trevor Etienne, his second touchdown of the night to give Georgia the 21-10 advantage.
Georgia jumped to a 28-10 lead with 12:34 in the game with a touchdown pass from Beck to Dillon Bell before each team swapped field goals to end the game. McGough smashed a 27-yard field goal with 7:38 to go in the game while Peyton Woodring of Georgia delivered the final blow with 1:50 to go to give Georgia the 31-13 win.
Auburn falls to 2-4, 0-3 in SEC play. The Tigers will take a bye week next week before traveling to Missouri on Oct. 19.
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