Georgia wins SEC title 28-7 over Auburn
ATLANTA - The Georgia Bulldogs are the 2017 SEC champions.
App users: View full article here
The Tigers jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead by scoring on the opening drive, with Jarrett Stidham hitting Nate Craig-Myers on 3rd and Goal from the 8 yard line.
But the Bulldogs answered in the second quarter, David Bellamy sacks and strips Stidham and the Dawgs get the ball back on a Roquan Smith recovery at the Georgia 16 yard line. UGA then went on a 7 play 83 yard drive that was capped off by a 2 yard touchdown pass from Fromm to Isaac Nauta.
RELATED: Bulldogs admit payback was a factor against Auburn
A would be Georgia touchdown was called back on a pass interference penalty. Georgia's Rodrigo Blankenship kicked a 27 yard field goal to give Georgia a 10-7 lead with 4:59 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
Halftime score Georgia 10 Auburn 7.
Georgia received the second half kickoff and punted to Auburn after a 5 play 22 yard drive.
BIG PLAY: DaQuan Hawkins-Muckle blocks an Auburn field goal attempt. Bulldogs take over at their own 25 yard line.
Georgia kicked a 35 yard field goal to go ahead 13-7 with 1:26 remaining in the third quarter.
INJURY: RB Sony Michel came off the field in the third quarter, talked with trainers, and went into the medical tent. He did not return to the game. He finished the game with 45 rushing yards on 7 carries.
End of the third quarter Georgia 13 Auburn 7.
Kerryon Johnson's fumble is scooped up by UGA's Roquan Smith. The Dogs take over at the Auburn 39 yard line with 14:49 left in the fourth quarter.
A 6 yard touchdown pass from Freshman QB Jake Fromm to Terry Godwin makes it Georgia 21 Auburn 7 with 13:06 remaining in the fourth quarter.
BIG PLAY: RB D'Andre Swift runs it 64 yards into the end zone and puts Georgia up 28-7 in the fourth quarter.
FINAL: Georgia 28 Auburn 7, The Georgia Bulldogs are SEC Champions for the first time since 2005.
Not many people would have guessed a year ago that these two teams, part of the Deep South's oldest rivalry, would be competing for conference glory and a spot in the College Football Championship playoffs. Both teams went 8-5 a year ago, and the Tigers seemed defeated after LSU came back from a 20-point deficit and beat them early in the season. Georgia, on the other hand, was undefeated until going to Auburn's home turf and losing 40-17.
Now, a few weeks past that climatic game, the two teams square off for a rematch. Georgia wants to take revenge for its one loss, and Auburn is trying to prove that their victories over two No. 1 ranked teams can continue.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart had a one-word answer when asked what is the most important area in which his team must play better against Auburn.
"Physicality," he said, no doubt remembering lost battles up front three weeks ago. Quarterback Jake Fromm was sacked four times.
And Auburn's defensive front versus Georgia's running game will be a major thing to watch during the team's clashes. Las game, the Tigers manage to shut down Georgia’s SEC-leading running game, holding the Dawgs to 46 yards on 32 carries.
"I certainly think Auburn was more focused down the stretch because their backs were against the wall," Smart said. "They had two losses. Now everybody’s backs against the wall. "
The Associated Press contributed to this report