Not many people thought that Georgia would still be fighting to become bowl eligible in their 10th game of the year. However, a miserable and unimpressive first quarter turned into Georgia's sixth win of the season, therefore making them bowl eligible.
Auburn got the ball on the opening kickoff. They quickly and easily drove down the field against Georgia's "Swiss Cheese" defense (as College Gameday put it). On offense, the Dawgs quickly lost possession and had to punt. The Tigers then repeated their first drive and took a 14-0 lead.
Georgia finally got going in the second quarter, as Joe Cox completed a 50-yard touchdown pass to Israel Troupe. In the third quarter, a 51-yard field goal by Blair Walsh and a 1-yard run by Washaun Ealey gave Georgia a 17-14 lead.
For the rest of the game, the scoring went like this: for Auburn, a field goal by Wes Byrum and then a 99-yard kickoff return. The kickoff return came after a big touchdown run by Caleb King. King then broke the 24-24 tie with another big run to give the Dawgs a 31-24 lead, which they would not relinquish.
This game had some huge turnarounds for the Dawgs. Many of their problems from this year seemed fixed during the game. This inclues the rushing game (169 yards), the penalties (only four for 29 yards), and the turnovers (none - Auburn turned the ball over twice).
However, the game also included two huge losses for Georgia. A.J. Green was injured during the second quarter and is out indefinitely. Mark Richt has said that Green might be back for a bowl game.
Also, safety Bacarri Rambo was carted off the field after making a huge hit that jarred the ball loose from an Auburn receiver. He lay on the field motionless for 12 minutes before being taken to the hospital. Reports from the hospital say that he has a serious concussion. However, his play did end up helping the Dawgs win (as Auburn lost yardage on their next two plays, the last of which was a fourth down).
Here's some stats: Washaun Ealey rushed 18 times for 98 yards (5.4 average), Caleb King rushed 10 times for 66 yards (6.6 average), and Joe Cox was 9-of-17 for 173 yards, 1 touchdown, and no interceptions. Israel Troupe, Tavarres King, Orson Charles, and A.J. Green (before being injured) were the top receivers.
According to Mark Richt, the play of the game was a terrible Joe Cox pass that should have been intercepted. However, the ball bounced off an Auburn player's hands and right into the hands of Orson Charles. It was a big gain for Georgia that got the entire offense fired up and was possibly the game changer.
With the win, Georgia improves to 6-4 (4-3 SEC). The Dawgs will next take on the Kentucky Wildcats in Athens. Kentucky is also 6-4 this year, but has a miserable 2-4 record in the SEC. I'm expecting the Dawgs to win this one.
