The coach may have changed but the performance looked all too familiar for Auburn in Athens.
Auburn (3-3, 1-2 SEC) traveled to Athens for the 127th edition of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry and was routed by the Georgia Bulldogs 42-10.
The game was tied at 0-0 in the first quarter but some questionable play calling by Auburn gave the Bulldogs the spark they needed to get going.
With the Tigers facing fourth-and-six from their own 34-yard line Auburn attempted a fake punt but [autotag]John Samuel Shenker[/autotag] was tackled short of the first line and the Bulldogs were in business.
Taking over at the Auburn 36, they needed just seven plays to punch it in and take the 7-0 lead. They leaned on their staple of running backs to punch it in, running on six of their plays and averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
Auburn quickly went three-and-out and a good punt return by Georgia gave them another short field. This time they didn’t even bother to attempt a pass, running the ball three times for 31 yards and taking a 14-0 lead with 8:40 left in the second quarter.
The Auburn offense showed life on their next drive but with [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] about to convert a third down in Georgia territory he dropped the ball and the Bulldogs recovered to end the threat.
Auburn’s best chance of the game came on the first drive of the second half. [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag] stripped Stetson Bennet and recovered the fumble at the Georgia 19-yard line.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, they were unable to take advantage of the opportunity and were forced to kick a field goal, making it a 14-3 game with 11:51 left in the third quarter. The ability to finish the drive was one of the deciding factors of this game, Georgia scored touchdowns on each of their five red zone trips, and Auburn managed just one trip and was held to a field goal.
Georgia responded to Auburn’s first points with their longest drive of the game, marching 81 yards down the field and taking a 21-3 lead when Daijun Edwards punched it in from two yards out. He finished the game with three touchdowns and 83 yards.
The Bulldogs finished the game with six rushing touchdowns, 292 yards, and averaged 7.5 yards per carry.
Auburn moved the ball into Georgia territory in their next drive but [autotag]Tank Bigsby[/autotag] was tackled for a loss on third down and the Tigers were forced to punt.
The Bulldogs were able to put the game away in the fourth quarter, Stetson Bennet ripped off a 64-yard touchdown run to make it a 28-3 game early in the fourth quarter. Edwards capped off the Bulldog’s next drive with a 7-yard touchdown run to make it a 35-3 game and the rout was on.
Auburn responded with their only good offensive drive of the game but it was way too little way too late. [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] caught a check down from Ashford and broke multiple tackles on his way to a 62-yard touchdown.
Their 10 second-half points were the most they have scored against a Power Five opponent since they played Arkansas on Oct. 16 last year.