Analysis
McPherson’s last kick lifts Auburn past No. 1 Georgia
The Bulldogs had the ball in a tie game with 72 seconds left. One fumble gave Auburn the opening it needed.
Georgia had driven 94 yards to tie the game, forced a punt and gotten the ball back with 1:12 left. The Bulldogs had a chance to win it themselves.
Two plays later, Cody Sigler knocked the ball loose from Gunner Stockton. Sylvester Smith-Reed recovered at Auburn’s 44 with 58 seconds remaining. Auburn went 40 yards in five plays, and Alex McPherson’s 34-yard field goal as time expired gave the Tigers a 27–24 victory over the nation’s No. 1 team at Sanford Stadium.
It was Georgia’s third turnover. Auburn did not commit one. The Bulldogs gained 440 yards and averaged 6.8 yards per play, but their two interceptions and the final fumble kept giving Auburn opportunities. The Tigers converted both of their fourth-down attempts and scored on all three trips into the red zone.
Auburn had trailed 14–0 before scoring 24 consecutive points. Christian Neptune threw a touchdown pass to Keshaun Singleton, and Byrum Brown found Chas Nimrod for another. McPherson added a field goal. Brown’s five-yard touchdown run made it 24–14 heading into the fourth quarter.
Brown carried 26 times for 115 yards while also throwing for 150 yards and a touchdown. Nimrod caught six passes for 60 yards. Auburn finished with 192 yards rushing.
Georgia answered with a field goal early in the fourth quarter, then began its tying drive at its own six. Stockton took the Bulldogs 94 yards in 13 plays and found London Humphreys for the touchdown with 2:58 left. Stockton finished with 272 yards passing and two touchdowns, along with the two interceptions.
The Georgia defense then held Auburn to six yards on six plays. The ensuing punt gave Stockton the ball at his own 39. Georgia reached the Auburn 44 before the fumble sent the ball back the other way.
