Georgia tops Auburn 34-10 on road, moving to 6-0

AUBURN, Ala. — DawgsHQ has hit the road, and we’re in Auburn, Ala. for The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. No. 2/2 Georgia takes on No. 18/19 Auburn at 3:30 p.m. ET, 2:30 locally, on CBS. It’s a matchup that stretches back 125 consecutive seasons, and while it’s a little bit earlier on the calendar than some fans might be used to, the stakes are just as high.

Previewing the Game

The Bulldogs (5-0, 3-0) are coming off of a dominant win over Arkansas last Saturday. With ESPN’s College GameDay in town, Kirby Smart and company rolled to a 31-0 win over a then-top-10-ranked Razorback team. James Cook, Zamir White and the Georgia run game carried the load, rushing 57 times for a season-high 273 yards. Some of that can be attributed to the defensive front that Arkansas gave them. Some likely comes as a result of backup quarterback Stetson Bennett getting the start with JT Daniels out due to injury. Bennett would appear to be in line to get the start once again today. And it goes without saying, Georgia’s defense has done their job so far this season. Can they do it again today against Auburn?

Meanwhile, on the other sideline, the Tigers (4-1, 1-0) are led by first-year head coach Bryan Harsin. Arriving at Auburn by way of Boise State, Harsin has fans excited after their first win against LSU on the road since 1999. Their only loss came in a tough environment at Penn State, and Auburn fans are going to do anything and everything possible to mimic that atmosphere today at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Bo Nix, benched against Georgia State, retook control of the quarterback room with his performance in the win in Baton Rouge, but it’s the run game that does the most for the Auburn offense.

Get prepped!

That’s enough talk for now. It’s time for some pregame reading. Here are our favorite stories from throughout the week. We’ll be back once the players take the field to provide you with the latest news from Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Three Questions

Dawg Walk Talk: Georgia-Auburn Preview Podcast

Q&A with Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson

Matchups/Players to Watch

Smart Sees Areas for Improvement

What Auburn Said

Georgia’s Keys to Victory

Preparing for Auburn Atmosphere

Playing to Standard, Not Opponent

Bold Predictions

Pregame Notes

• Posted this on Twitter and Jake got our story covered, but Georgia wide receiver George Pickens is indeed with the team today in Auburn. He did not however go through warm ups with the team and is not dressed out in pads.
• Kirby Smart told the CBS broadcast crew that he expects Stetson Bennett to start but also noted that JT Daniels is available if needed.
• Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint is with the team today, one of eight wide receivers to make the trip (and dress out).

First Quarter

• Georgia won the toss and deferred, giving Auburn the ball first. Man was it an interesting one… The Tigers drove 68 yards in 17 plays with two fourth-down conversions. Auburn got to 1st and Goal, and the drama ensued on 2nd and Goal. Bo Nix fumbled the snap and appeared to fumble again, recovered by Kelee Ringo. However, after review, it was determined to be a pass intentionally grounded, giving the ball back to the Tigers. Shaun Shivers was tackled short of the line to gain on 3rd and Goal and Auburn settles for a field goal. Anders Carlson is good from 24 yards, and Georgia trails for the first time this season. Auburn leads 3-0 8:19 1Q
• Georgia goes three-and-out on its first drive as Stetson Bennett gets the start at quarterback. Zamir White for no gain on first and second down before Bennett completes the pass on third down, short of the line to gain. Jake Camarda’s punt is fair caught at the Auburn 18 where the Tigers will take over.
• The Georgia defense forced their own three-and-out but came away with the ball. On 3rd and 2, Bo Nix’s pass to Shaun Shivers went off the running back’s hands and into those of linebacker Nakobe Dean. Georgia takes over in scoring position at the Auburn 26.
• Georgia picks up a first down offensively from the turnover, but nothing more. The Bulldogs settle for three points as Jack Podlesny’s 23-yard attempt is good. Georgia and Auburn tied 3-3 2:55 1Q
• Once again, the Georgia defense forced a three-and-out. After a review that overturned a long punt return from Kearis Jackson and a penalty that forced Auburn to re-kick, Georgia takes over at the UGA30.
• Todd Monken came out wanting to throw the ball on this drive, dialing up five straight passing plays. The first, a wheel route to James Cook fell incomplete, however, Stetson Bennett found Ladd McConkey for first-down yardage on the next play. Then, it was a 33-yard pickup from Brock Bowers and a pass interference drawn by Darnell Washington to get Georgia down to the Auburn 11. Georgia takes it to the quarter.
• END 1Q: Georgia and Auburn tied 3-3. Bulldogs have the ball at the Auburn 12 with 2nd and 11 after the break.

Second Quarter

• Stetson Bennett scrambled for a gain of nine on 2nd and 11 after the break. At the end of the play, he was hit by Auburn defensive back Smoke Monday who was ejected for targeting. That gave UGA possession at the Auburn 1 as Zamir White punched it in for six on the next play. Jack Podlesny’s PAT is good. Georgia leads 10-3 14:39 2Q
• After the Georgia defense forced another punt, this time after five plays and just 19 yards, Georgia went 78 yards in six plays. Stetson Bennett found Darnell Washington for a gain of 25 on the second play of the drive, quickly followed by a 45-yard gain on a completion to Ladd McConkey down to the Auburn 7. Three plays later, it was six for the Bulldogs as Bennett found Adonai Mitchell at the Auburn 1 and into the end zone. Podlesny’s PAT is good. Georgia leads 17-3 9:10 2Q
• Auburn picked up big yardage on first down, but a Zion Logue pushed them back into 3rd and 10. Bo Nix’s pass falls incomplete, and it’s another three-and-out, the third of the day forced by the Bulldogs. Punt has Georgia taking over at the UGA23.
• Georgia went three-and-out, but the most important news of the drive was an injury to left tackle Jamaree Salyer. Appeared to be his right ankle from the press box, and he was replaced by Broderick Jones. After the punt, Auburn takes over at their own 35.
• Auburn goes three-and-out, yet another for the Georgia defense. Auburn wide receiver Shedrick Jackson cost the Tigers an opportunity for more there, not being ready for a pass thrown to him on third down. Could have been big yardage. Instead, it’s a punt.
• After a Georgia punt, picking up just nine yards on five plays with a Stetson Bennett sack, Auburn drove to 12 plays and 71 yards into the UGA red zone. Bo Nix found John Samuel Shenker for a gain of 20 yards on 3rd and 10 and Demetris Robertson for a gain of 29 yards on 3rd and 9 to set the Tigers up with 1st and Goal. Then, after Georgia forced three straight incompletions, the field goal team came on. However, Derion Kendrick jumped offsides, and Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin opted to send the offense back out onto the field for 4th and Goal from the UGA3. Latavious Brini broke up the pass in the back of the end zone, keeping Auburn off the board.
• Kirby Smart opted to take things to the half with the two touchdown lead, having Stetson Bennett take a knew twice to run out the rest of the clock
• HALF: Georgia leads Auburn 17-3. The Bulldogs will start the second half with possession.

Third Quarter

• Georgia got the second half started with a nice kickoff return from Kearis Jackson out to the UGA32. Then, the Bulldogs moved the ball into Tiger territory but were forced to settle for a field goal attempt. Podlesny’s kick from 43 hits the right upright and is no good.
• Auburn took over at the 26 after the missed field goal and picked up a pair of first downs to get into Georgia territory. However, they’d get nothing more, going for it on 4th and 8 from the UGA33 and seeing the pass fall incomplete.
• One play later and Georgia’s back on the board. Stetson Bennett took a shot to Ladd McConkey down the field for a 60-yard score. Podlesny’s PAT is good. Georgia leads 24-3 6:01 3Q
• Auburn was able to respond with a touchdown of its own. The drive covered 78 yards in six plays with chunk yardage coming on receptions from Caylin Newton (31 yards) and Demetris Roberton (26). In the red zone, Tank Bigsby avoided tacklers on 3rd and 1 and found his way past the pylon for the score. PAT is good. Georgia leads 24-10 4:01 3Q
• Georgia is off and running with its drive. Zamir White moved the chains on 2nd and 4 with a gain of 9 yards before Stetson Bennett found Ladd McConkey for another first down, this time a gain of 11. Then, on 3rd and 2, Bennett took it himself for a 30-yard scramble down to the Auburn 11.
• END 3Q: Georgia leads 24-10 with a 3rd and 3 upcoming after the break

Fourth Quarter

• Stetson Bennett’s pass to James Cook was incomplete on 3rd and 3 at the Auburn 4. The Bulldogs settle for three points, making it a three score game. Jack Podlesny’s 21 yard field goal attempt is good. Georgia leads 27-10 14:52 4Q
• Georgia finally makes Bo Nix pay for trying to scramble. He can’t get away from Quay Walker, among other Bulldogs, as he’s sacked for a loss of 15 on 3rd and 4. Georgia will take over at their 36.
• It’s now a 24-point game as Georgia punches it in. Zamir White stayed on his feet on 3rd and 2 from the Auburn 10. It was all ground game with 10 straight run plays, burning the clock. Podlesny’s PAT is good. Georgia leads 34-10 7:11 4Q
• Auburn picked up a first down on the first play of the drive, 13 yards from Nix to Shedrick Jackson. However, it nothing more after that. Nix was taken down for a loss of 16 on 3rd and 7 trying to scramble and keep the play alive. Robert Beal and Jalen Carter combine on the tackle. Auburn punts.
• Georgia was able to run out the clock for the most part, turning the ball over on downs with 38 seconds left. It was a 10 play drive with nine rushes. Auburn put TJ Finley in the game for the final drive and got into Georgia red zone. However, the score remained the same.
• FINAL: Georgia defeats Auburn 34-10, moving to 6-0 on the season. Next up for the Bulldogs is a home contest against Kentucky.

This story will continue to be updated throughout the game. Be sure to check back in for the latest on Georgia and Auburn.

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