Tag: auburn georgia

Georgia transfer QB target commits to SEC rival

Georgia football quarterback transfer target Jackson Arnold transfers to an SEC school.

When former Oklahoma Sooner quarterback Jackson Arnold entered the transfer portal, he received significant interest from top college football teams, including the Georgia Bulldogs. On3 mentioned three teams in particular to watch out for: the Georgia Bulldogs, the Auburn Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

In the end, Arnold decided to transfer to the Auburn Tigers. Tigers coach Hugh Freeze will again try to develop a transfer portal quarterback .

Arnold may have more potential than Auburn’s most recent starting quarterback, Payton Thorne. Arnold, a former five-star quarterback, had one of the best high-school careers ever for Denton, Texas. He won the Landry Award (given to the best player in Northern Texas) and the Gatorade National Player of the Year in his senior year at John H. Guyer High School.

However, he hasn’t put it together in college. He has thrown for 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also took a bunch of sacks, but the Sooners dealt with numerous injuries on their offensive line. He showed flashes of his upside when he ran for 131 yards on 25 carries in Oklahoma’s 24-3 win over Alabama.

The Bulldogs remain on the hunt for a quarterback to replace Beck next year. They’ve talked to a few top names, such as Fernando Mendoza and Deshawn Purdie, but maybe sophomore Gunner Stockton could earn the job in the College Football Playoff or Beck could return.

The Georgia Bulldogs will play Arnold and the Auburn Tigers on Oct. 11 next year.

Key statistics for Auburn Tigers vs. No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs

How do the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs compare with the Auburn Tigers statistically?

The Georgia Bulldogs fell in the US LBM Coaches ranking after failing to come through against longtime foe on Saturday. Georgia’s 41-34 loss was a wild game where Georgia fell behind 28-0 in the first half, then roared back to take a 34-33 lead in the fourth quarter. However, Georgia’s lead did not last long as UGA blew it 18 seconds later.

Georgia’s playoff hopes are still alive, but they’ll need to win almost all of their remaining games, including against the Auburn Tigers. The Tigers themselves are 2-3 after their own tough loss against the No. 19 Oklahoma Sooners. They had a 21-10 lead before giving up 17 unanswered points to lose 27-21.

Georgia is favored early against Auburn, but they’ll need to make sure to play a complete game of football to avoid a major upset. Here’s the stat breakdown for Georgia and Auburn, provided by CFB Stats:

Scoring Offense

Auburn: 33.4 points per game (t-42nd)

Georgia: 32.3 points per game (52nd)

Rushing Offense

Auburn: 171.20 rushing yards per game (62nd)

Georgia: 129.25 rushing yards per game (102nd)

Passing Offense:

Auburn: 294.8 passing yards per game (25th)

Georgia: 302.3 passing yards per game (19th)

Total Offense: 

Auburn: 466 total yards per game (23rd)

Georgia: 431.5 total yards per game (44th)

Scoring Defense

Auburn: 18.8 points allowed per game (t-37th)

Georgia: 14.8 points allowed per game (18th)

Rushing Defense:

Auburn: 121 rushing yards allowed per game (t-48th)

Georgia: 126.25 rushing yards allowed per game (58th)

Passing Defense:

Auburn: 208 passing yards allowed per game (67th)

Georgia: 162 passing yards allowed per game (25th)

Total Defense: 

Auburn: 329 total yards allowed per game (50th)

Georgia: 288.3 total yards allowed per game (24th)

One key stat to watch:

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart recently explained why Georgia’s third down offense is struggling this season. The Bulldogs are converting over 20% less third downs than last season.

Five Auburn football players to watch against UGA

What Auburn football players will have to have a big game in order for the Tigers to win on the road at Georgia?

The Auburn Tigers are coming off back-to-back tight games against SEC competition. Auburn lost last week against LSU and is now 3-2.

The Tigers have struggled offensively in recent weeks. In fact, Auburn has not scored more than 24 points since Week 1.

Auburn faces the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia has one of the top defenses in the country and a talented offense, but the Bulldogs did not play well last week against Missouri.

Georgia has struggled with turnovers and red zone efficiency in recent weeks. Can the Dawgs get back on track at home against Auburn? If Georgia is going to win in convincing fashion, then Kirby Smart and company need to have a plan for these five key Auburn players.

Instant Analysis: Takeaways from Auburn’s last-second win over Georgia

It was not pretty but a win is a win.

It wasn’t pretty, but Auburn beat Georgia 74-72 Saturday in Athens.

Auburn led by as many as 15 points in the first half but needed some last-minute heroics from Wendell Green Jr. to complete the season sweep of Georgia.

Green, who was thrust into a starting role with Zep Jasper unable to play due to an illness, shined in the first half for Auburn.

Without Jasper, Green and KD Johnson had their biggest workloads of the season and it showed. The duo combined for 27 points in the first half but went 4-of-21 from the field in the second half.

But those baskets were huge, Johnson tied the game at 72 with 38 seconds to play and Green made the game-winning basket with 3.3 seconds left.

With the win, Auburn improved to 22-1 on the season and 10-0 in the SEC. Here are some takeaways from the game.

Airing my Auburn grievances after an embarrassing loss to Georgia

I go down the list of my grievances after Auburn’s embarrassing defeat to Georgia on Saturday night.

I have seen some embarrassing performances from Auburn before. 2003 USC comes to mind, though that team went on to share the national title with LSU. The 1998 opener against Virginia in which, like with the Trojans, the Tigers were shut out.

Oh, and that classic Tommy Tuberville loss to Arkansas in 2006.

But, in my opinion, nothing was as bad as Saturday night in Athens.

Much like my colleague Shea Brennaman asked for on Twitter, I am going to run down my list of grievances. They aren’t kind.

Chad Morris

Oh, so this is what Arkansas fans had warned us about for the longest time. His play-calling was absolutely horrendous and he handcuffed Bo Nix so much that you would have though the quarterback committed a crime.

The biggest pile of manure was when he called two straight quarterback runs in the red zone as if he thought it was ten years ago and Cam Newton was behind center for the Tigers. Oh, and he finished that with sprinkles called a screen pass to Schwartz that the Bulldogs read faster than a Berenstain Bears book.

The final result was 216 total yards of offense and six points. Figure it out, Chad.

The guys in the trenches

Hardly do you ever see an Auburn team get pushed around up front as bad as they did by the Bulldogs. It was embarrassing. On defense, the Georgia running backs were five yards down the field before getting touched. The Bulldogs offensive line made children out of what is supposed to be a talented defensive front and linebackers corps.

Offensively, what can I say? It was more of what we saw last year. Nix dropping back, having no time, having to scramble to his right and, in the running game, no holes whatsoever.

Gus Malzahn against Georgia

It has taken a miracle tip-and-pass and one of the best games of the last 20 years for Auburn to get Malzahn to even 2-7 against the rival Bulldogs. Granted, Georgia has controlled the rivalry for most of the last 15 or so years but the Dawgs are turning out to be Malzahn’s kryptonite and there is no change of that in sight.

Chad Morris … again

Before the season all the talk was about how open the offense would be, use of the tight ends would be a priority again and his mentorship had made Nix into a better quarterback.

I’m not putting this game on Nix, although he had a bad game. When you have 3rd-and-3 and on the opposing 48, does it make sense to try and pick up the touchdown or have your quarterback throw into double coverage? I will let you figure out which one Morris chose.

The Tigers punted the very next play.

Me, Brian Stultz, for being an idiot

I really thought fortunes would change for the Tigers in Athens on Saturday night. Maybe I was talking myself into it (I was) and maybe I was blinded by a good win over what was supposed to be a SEC East contender in Kentucky (I was).

I’m taking blame for the loss as well. I should have never expected this Auburn team to go into Sanford Stadium and defeat Georgia right now. It was a stupid notion. If you want to blame me, let me have it. I’m an adult. But yeah, the offensive game plan was awful. That’s not on me.

Georgia cruises past Auburn in a top-ten matchup

Georgia football had no issues with the AU Tigers as the UGA vs Auburn gamer resulted in a blow out.

#7 Auburn (1-1) gave #4 Georgia (2-0) no problems on Saturday night in Athens.

It was pure domination from the opening kick until the final whistle and Georgia walked off with a 27-6 win.

For quarterback Stetson Bennett, you’d never suspect there was ever a quarterback battle up until the last minute. In his first career start for UGA, Bennett completed 17/28 passes for 240 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

His favorite target of the night was Kearis Jackson, who had a massive ballgame, reeling in nine catches for 147 yards. If Georgia can get consistent production out of Jackson, a former 4-star Peach County product, then the Dawgs are in great shape at wide receiver with George Pickens on the outside. Speaking of Pickens, it was a relatively quiet night for the standout receiver, however, he did record a touchdown in the first half. He finished with two catches for 26 yards and a score.

The running game was clicking tonight as well and Georgia continued to show why it claims the title of RBU. Five backs touched the rock and Georgia put up 202 yards rushing. What I liked most about what I saw from the ball carriers is the physicality they ran with – they ran angry and hard, refusing to go down on first contact. Zamir White led all rushers with 88 yards and two touchdowns while we got a good dose of James Cook early on as well. Cook was looking great in the first quarter and was probably on pace to have a breakout performance before he exited the game with what looked to be a hand/wrist injury. Freshman Kendall Milton looked massive and ran the ball strong. At one point I looked up and saw him run over an Auburn defender and for a split second I thought I was watching Nick Chubb before it hit me. Additionally, Kenny McIntosh was fun to watch. He plays scrappy.

Georgia running backs vs Auburn:

  • Zamir White: 19 carries, 88 yards, 2 TDs
  • James Cook: 5 carries, 41 yards
  • Kendall Milton: 6 carries, 30 yards
  • Kenny McIntosh; 6 carries, 29 yards
  • Daijun Edwards: 7 carries, 27 yards

As a whole, the offensive line was moving a big Auburn defensive front with ease, provided holes for the backs and protected Bennett well all night. It all starts up front and the o-line had a stellar performance.

Defensively, Georgia was lights out. Six points allowed to the No. 7 team in the nation. 216 total yards. Only 39 rushing yards. This defense is yet again the nation’s best.

Up front, Bo Nix was under pressure all night. Azeez Ojulari had a couple big plays and Nolan Smith was in the backfield often chasing down Nix with his serious speed.

The rest of the linebackers were hitting harder than I can ever remember. Georgia was not content with just tackling Auburn, they wanted to make a statement. And they did.

At one point, though, too much of a statement was made and Richard LeCounte ended up paying for it. Late in the second quarter, the superstar Georgia safety delivered a big blow to an Auburn receiver and was ejected for targeting. LeCounte, thankfully, will not miss time next week against Tennessee since the penalty took place in the first half.

Sticking in the secondary, cornerback Tyson Campbell is my defensive MVP of the night. Campbell had a heck of a game and limited Auburn star receiver Seth Williams to just three catches for 34 yards.

Look how pretty this coverage is.

Georgia punter Jake Camarda’s number was only called twice. He hit a 63 yard bomb that went in the end zone and he dropped another one inside the 20. Kicker Jack Podlesny played well and hit two of three attempts.

Georgia moves on to Tennessee and looks to advance to 3-0 next week in Athens.

Georgia receiver Kearis Jackson breaks out for huge game vs Auburn

Georgia sophomore receiver Kearis Jackson had a huge game in Georgia’s 27-6 win over No. 7 Auburn. Details here

Ever since sophomore receiver Domonick Blaylock went down with another ACL injury this offseason, Georgia has been looking to fill the spot behind phenom George Pickens. 

It looks like that will be sophomore receiver Kearis Jackson, who has formed a connection with junior quarterback Stetson Bennett in just their second game together.

Jackson caught nine passes for 147 yards versus No. 4 Auburn, just a week after leading the team in receptions and receiving yards versus Arkansas.

Jackson was a 4-star recruit from Fort Valley, Georgia in the Bulldogs No. 1 ranked recruiting class of 2018.

He was named a starter in the offseason of 2019, but a hand injury kept him out for some time, allowing Blaylock to settle into the No. 2 spot behind Pickens.

Jackson looks exsplosive, whether on punt returns or as a route-runner, which is huge for a Georgia offense that has been looking for playmakers.

Here are a few highlights of Jackson’s big night versus the Tigers:

 

UGA vs Auburn: Podlesny’s field goal is good after long drive by Georgia offense

Georgia increased its lead to 27-6 over Auburn with a 25 yard field goal by Jack Podlesny. Details here

Georgia needed to give their defense some rest after another scoring drive by the Auburn offense made the score 24-6, Georgia.

The Bulldogs took the ball from their own 25 and capped off the drive with a 25 yard field goal by sophomore kicker Jack Podlesny.

Here’s a 21 yard pass from Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett to receiver Kearis Jackson that helped set up the score:

The Bulldogs currently lead Auburn 27-6, with three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

 

 

Georgia vs Auburn: Halftime stats and thoughts

Georgia leads Auburn 24-3 at halftime. Here are the key players and team stats so far.

No. 4 Georgia leads No. 7 Auburn 24-3 at halftime after dominant first half by the Bulldogs.

Georgia’s most valuable players of the first half were junior quarterback Stetson Bennet, who is making his first career start for the Bulldogs, and redshirt sophomore running back Zamir White and sophomore receiver Kearis Jackson.

Player stats:

  • Bennett – 12/22, 155 yards with one touchdown
  • White – 17 carries for 76 yards and two touchdowns
  • Jackson – 7 receptions for 104 yards

Team Stats:

  • 1st downs: UGA 15, Auburn 5
  • Total yards: UGA 288, Auburn 81
  • Passing yards : UGA 158, Auburn 54
  • Rushing yards : UGA 130, Auburn 27
  • Time of possession: UGA 18:04, Auburn 11:56
  • Penalties : UGA 6 for 49 yards, Auburn 4 for 30 yards

Georgia’s offensive line is doing whatever they want with Auburn right now, and the Bulldogs running backs are taking advantage.

Bennett has been sharp and decisive with the football, especially on third downs.

All good news for Georgia so far, tune-in for the second half coming up on ESPN.

 

 

Twitter reacts: Georgia S Richard LeCounte ejected for targeting

Twitter reactions to Georgia football S Richard LeCounte being ejected for targeting during Georgia vs Auburn.

Each team has now lost its starting safety to targeting ejections.

Georgia start Richard LeCounte was flagged for targeting with just under four minutes to go in the second quarter of The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.

The play came deep in Georgia territory in a drive that ended up resulting in just three points for Auburn.

Since the penalty took place in the first half, LeCounte will not miss time next week against Tennessee.

Here are Twitter reactions to the questionable call.

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