Bulldogs Sneak Away a Win Against Auburn

The Georgia Bulldogs kept their 22 game winning streak alive, but it was a victory that almost wasn’t.

That was because it took the Bulldogs nearly the whole game to top the Auburn Tigers, who lead twice in the game and probably would have been celebrating a win today if it hadn’t been for Brock Bowers, who nearly single handedly put his team in the win collum.

Head coach Kirby Smart acknowledged that despite the win, 27-20, the team wasn’t dominating their competition like past seasons.

“Obviously we didn’t play our best game today, but we’re a very resilient team,” he told the press after the game.

The Bulldogs never lead until the fourth quarter, as ether the Tigers lead or the game was tied. UGA allowed 219 rushing yards and 2 turnovers. Uncharacteristic for the Dawgs and not something Smart was overlooking. He said he didn’t know why the Bulldogs were struggling to compete in all four quarters.

“We got to continue to get better,” he said. “I mean, that’s the most important thing for our team. So a lot of things we did wrong, a lot of things we did well, but we’re not going to get where we want to go if we don’t get better.”

Continued production from Bowers would help. The Dawgs tight end got four catches in the fourth quarter for 121 yards. (He got 157 total). He scored the game winning touchdown. The last quarter was his most productive, as Auburn’s defense kept him contained with two catches for 9 yards the earlier three quarters. Everyone else on UGA’s side also struggled at Jordan Hare thanks to Auburn’s stingy defense.

“Who can argue that there’s a better football player anywhere in the country,” said Smart, who admired Bower’s tenacity and willingness to go all in for his team. “I’ve got a lot of respect for that guy as a competitor.”

Carson Beck, the Bulldogs’ quarterback, went 23 for 33 attempts, for 313 yards. He scored a touchdown but gave up one interception. The Tigers’ QB Payton Thorne went 10 of 19, for 82 yards, with one interception.

The game was a physical one, with players on both teams, but especially Auburn hit by injuries during the game. UGA has been plauged with injuries of their own since the season started.

More rough and tumble games like this further await the Dawgs in the future. Including next Saturday, when they return to Sandford Stadium to defend their 5-0 undefeated season record against Kentucky, which itself is undefeated this season under head coach Mark Stoopes. Dawgs coach Smart warned his team will have to be tough and play hard once again against the Wildcats.

“I’ve always said our kids are the most sore they’ve ever been after playing them,” Smart said, refering to Kentucky. “It was that way last year. It was a bloodbath last year up there and it’ll be the same way [next Saturday.”]