Halftime Notes: Georgia leads Auburn 14-3

ATHENS, Ga. — We have finished two quarters of the 129th game between Georgia and Auburn. The Bulldogs hold a 14-3 lead after scores on their first and last possessions of the half. DawgsHQ has some thoughts on how it all went down and we share those with you below.

*** A timid, at times, showing from Carson Beck in the first half. He bailed on a couple of pockets but I do think he was more committed to his throws and made some good decisions as far as where he went with the football. I’d like to see Georgia go after these one-on-ones on the outside more and open up some stuff in the middle of the defense.

Concerning the plan, where are Georgia receivers in the middle of the field? I’m seeing the running backs in there but not many wideouts. Maybe Auburn is protecting it by using wall defenders but I feel like Georgia needs to force the issue in there.

*** Trevor Etienne was so close to having some really big plays in that first half. Georgia has blocked things pretty well at the point of attack and seemed close all half to breaking loose. He finally did it on that final possession of the first half. The Tigers are long in the front seven is long and has done a good job against running backs this season.

The fumbling issues with Nate Frazier must be rough because Branson Robinson just isn’t consistently seeing it right now. He’s not running with a lot of confidence unless it opens up quickly.

*** Dominick Lovett came up with a really nice play to cap off that second touchdown drive. He seems to have taken a big step forward when it comes to making that first man miss. Georgia has gotten a lot of different guys involved but hasn’t really featured one player. If I’m calling the shots, I’m figuring out a way to get the ball in Lawson Luckie’s hands pretty quickly in the second half.

*** The offensive line has been okay. Drew Bobo has a few of high-ish snaps and a couple of negatives but seems to be holding his own otherwise. Right tackle has been a struggle in the pass rush. Xavier Truss lost the one-on-one when Beck was sacked first. I thought the second sack was all on Beck. The run blocking has been really solid, especially on that 3rd and 1 play where the Bulldogs sealed the edge and slowed down the second level.

*** The Tigers have had some success getting down hill, a play or two here and there, but Georgia has held up well mostly. The stop of Peyton Thorne on 3rd and short when Auburn turned to quarterback power was a big statement. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins had a tremendous first two series but has been a little quiet since.

*** Linebacker play has been up and down. That second Auburn possession was a struggle and the third started with the linebackers looking lost. Damon Wilson is flying around. He has some misses but he has made a few plays too. I feel like the tackling has been much improved this week.

*** The defensive backfield got worked on that field goal drive. To it’s credit, it kept Alabama out of the end zone but it was exploited outside of the lower red area. Daniel Harris had a mistake. Daylen Everette got beaten on a comeback. It wasn’t pretty. The Bulldogs have adjusted well since but some of that has been Auburn dealing with poor field position.

*** I thought Kirby Smart did a nice job managing the clock at the end of the first half and Auburn helped him with that deep ball. Saving a timeout and letting Auburn eat that first play clock was a good move because Georgia was going to have plenty of time from the field position it would get if it stopped Auburn right there. Auburn gave Georgia a second timeout and more time to work with by attempting that deep ball.

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