It was an ugly game for 28 minutes before things flipped forever in the Georgia Bulldogs' favor. A controversial goal-line fumble gave the Dawgs the ball late in the first half. They would march 99 yards down the field to score their first points of the game on a Peyton Woodring field goal. Fate would have it, Georgia would go on to score 20 unanswered points to stun the Auburn Tigers, 20-10.
Winning games ugly is not for the faint of heart, but Georgia has begun to make it an art form when a contest requires it under Kirby Smart. Lesser teams would have lost this game and would have put forth no real effort in the second half. Not this team. Not Georgia. While Glenn Schumann needs to do a better job at his job in the first half, especially vs. Ole Miss next week, look at Georgia's quarterback!
Gunner Stockton did not let the game completely fall to the wayside. He completed 24-of-37 passes for 2017 yards on the night. With his legs, he had nine carries for 26 yards and a game-sealing touchdown dive. When it seemed as though Georgia wanted to give the game away, Stockton would find one receiver after another to move the sticks on an Auburn defense that broke down in the end.
It may not be Hugh Freeze's last game coaching at Auburn, but it is a loss he cannot come back from.
Kirby Smart, Gunner Stockton are what is keeping Georgia's dream alive
What we have seen out of Georgia up to this point in the season is the Bulldogs are never truly out of a game. While they still have not figured out how to beat Alabama below The Mason-Dixon Line for the life of them, Georgia has continued to own two of its biggest rivals in Tennessee and now Auburn. The Dawgs have won nine straight games vs. both of their SEC rivals. They can win games like these.
Auburn may wake up screaming bloody murder at the SEC officials for giving this game to Georgia, but it was a horribly officiated game all the way around. What this really boils down to is winners find ways and losers find excuses. Auburn has lost three games in a row, all to SEC opponents. Georgia has improved to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in SEC play. Against all odds, this might be a playoff team again?!
To tie a bow on this, it takes a special cast of characters to win on the road in conference play. It takes a team full of mature players, ones who realize this is a sport where you have to play a full 60 minutes to win. Auburn played a great 28 minutes to start, but Georgia played a far better 32 down the stretch, and when it mattered most. With six games left, this team could finish 10-2 and still make the playoff.
Right now, Georgia has to get ready for its toughest opponent to date with Ole Miss coming to town.