Georgia football was able to defeat Auburn 20-10 Saturday night in one of the most electric games this rivalry has ever seen. This victory for Georgia however did not come without some controversy as the officials (and replay booth) had their hands all over this game.
Both Georgia and Auburn had a few calls go their way that were debateable to say the least, but the biggest play of the game undoubtedly went in Georgia's favor. And for that reason alone, the Bulldogs owe the SEC and the officials from Saturday night's game a big "thank you."
Georgia should thank the SEC officials for gifting them a turnover
Late in the first half, Jackson Arnold stretched for the goal line on a QB sneak from the Georgia 1-yard line. This play typically would guarantee Auburn a touchdown in this setting, but the Bulldogs had other plans. Georgia punched the ball out of Arnolds hands and recovered a fumble that kept seven points off the board for Auburn.
This is where all the controversy began because the play was reviewed for what felt like hours all for the officials to stick with their call on the field of a fumble. This infuriated Auburn fans because multiple angles appeared to show Arnold crossing the goal line before fumbling the ball, but the officials and replay booth felt otherwise. This kept the score of the game at 10-0 instead of Auburn taking a commanding 17-0 lead.
Georgia dominated the rest of the game after this play. The Bulldogs went on to score 20 unanswered points while the Tigers failed to score another point all night long. So no one can argue that this one play changed the entire game in Georgia's favor, and for that reason alone Georgia should give the officials and SEC a big "thank you."