ATHENS, Ga. — Auburn delivered one of the biggest surprises of the college football season Saturday, knocking off top-ranked Georgia 27-24 when Alex McPherson drilled a 34-yard field goal as time expired.
The Tigers rallied from an early 14-point deficit, relying on a powerful ground game led by quarterback Byrum Brown before capitalizing on a costly Georgia turnover in the closing minute. The victory marked Auburn’s second consecutive win over the Bulldogs in a series Georgia had dominated, snapping a nine-game winning streak against its longtime rival.
The defeat also ended Georgia’s 53-game winning streak against unranked opponents and brought the Bulldogs’ brief stay atop the AP Top 25 to an abrupt conclusion.
Auburn improved to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in Southeastern Conference play, while Georgia dropped to 6-1 and 4-1 in the SEC.
First-year Auburn coach Alex Golesh praised his players for responding after a difficult start.
“I’m really proud of our guys,” Golesh said. “We’re going to build Auburn back to where everybody wants it, one game at a time.”
Georgia Strikes First, but Auburn Finds Its Rhythm
Georgia appeared poised to control the game early, opening with two touchdown drives to take a 14-0 lead.
Quarterback Gunner Stockton left briefly after hitting the ground helmet-first on the opening play. Ryan Puglisi stepped in and completed all three of his passes, including a 41-yard connection with Craig Dandridge Jr. The drive ended when Dwight Phillips powered into the end zone on a 15-yard touchdown run.
Stockton returned for Georgia’s next possession and immediately made an impact, throwing a 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Lawson Luckie to extend the Bulldogs’ advantage to two touchdowns.
Auburn answered with an inventive play that changed the momentum. Brown pitched the ball to wide receiver Christian Neptune, who threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Keshaun Singleton. Georgia defensive backs Ja’Marley Riddle and Ellis Robinson IV collided in the end zone, allowing Singleton to make the catch for Auburn’s first score.
The touchdown sparked the Tigers’ comeback. Auburn leaned heavily on Brown, whose combination of size, strength and mobility created problems for the Georgia defense. He repeatedly gained yardage on designed runs and scrambled when passing opportunities broke down.
Brown also connected with Chas Nimrod for a 9-yard touchdown pass as Auburn continued to erase Georgia’s early advantage.
By halftime, the Tigers had taken control of the game’s momentum, turning a 14-0 deficit into a lead and putting the Bulldogs under increasing pressure.
Brown Powers Auburn’s Ground Attack
Brown proved to be the centerpiece of Auburn’s offensive strategy. The quarterback rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries while completing 15 of 26 passes for 150 yards and a scoring pass.
Auburn finished with a 192-113 advantage in rushing yards, consistently winning the physical battle at the line of scrimmage. Jeremiah Cobb contributed 61 rushing yards, giving the Tigers another effective option on the ground.
Georgia struggled to establish a comparable running game. Nate Frazier returned to the starting lineup after a rib injury but managed only 19 yards on nine carries.
The Tigers’ ability to control possession and generate yards on the ground helped them maintain pressure on Georgia throughout the second half.
Auburn eventually built a 24-14 advantage, leaving the Bulldogs facing the possibility of their first loss of the season.
Georgia Rallies, but Turnovers Prove Costly
Georgia mounted a determined fourth-quarter comeback. Peyton Woodring connected on a 42-yard field goal to trim Auburn’s lead before Stockton directed a 94-yard touchdown drive to tie the game at 24-24.
The drive covered 13 plays and began at Georgia’s own 6-yard line. Stockton completed it with a 4-yard touchdown pass to London Humphreys, giving the Bulldogs renewed hope with time remaining.
Stockton finished with 272 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions on 22-of-34 passing. His two interceptions doubled his previous season total through six games.
The decisive mistake came with 58 seconds left. Georgia was driving for a potential go-ahead field goal when Stockton fumbled while running near Auburn’s 46-yard line. Safety Sylvester Smith-Reed recovered for the Tigers at the Auburn 44, ending the Bulldogs’ possession and handing Auburn a critical opportunity.
Georgia’s defensive penalties also proved costly. A roughing-the-passer penalty on Gabe Harris Jr. helped Auburn advance into position for the winning kick.
McPherson then converted from 34 yards as the clock expired, setting off a celebration among Auburn players and fans.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart pointed to turnovers and discipline as major factors in the loss.
“We helped them,” Smart said. “We had three turnovers and critical penalties.”
A Historic Upset
The victory carried significance beyond the rivalry. Auburn became the second consecutive unranked team to defeat the nation’s No. 1-ranked team, following Oklahoma’s victory over then-top-ranked Texas the previous week.
According to Sportradar, it was the first time since October 1990 that the AP’s No. 1 team had lost in consecutive weeks. Auburn also ended a remarkable run of 93 consecutive home victories by top-ranked teams against unranked opponents, a streak dating to LSU’s loss to Arkansas in November 2007.
For Auburn, the win provided a major boost under Golesh and demonstrated the potential of an offense built around Brown’s versatility and physical running style.
Georgia, meanwhile, will have to regroup after letting an early two-touchdown lead slip away. The Bulldogs’ inability to sustain their offensive momentum, combined with turnovers and costly penalties, ultimately opened the door for Auburn’s dramatic finish.
Up Next:
Auburn returns home next Saturday to face No. 22 LSU, which defeated No. 16 Mississippi State 31-0.
Georgia has a bye week before facing Florida on Oct. 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Florida enters the matchup after upsetting No. 7 Texas, 27-24.
