Georgia’s first road trip of the 2023 season will take them to Jordan-Haire Stadium to face the Auburn Tigers in “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.” This will be the 120th meeting between these two teams, with the Bulldogs leading the series 63-56.
In last year’s meeting, the Bulldogs defeated the Tigers 42-10 in Athens. However, these two clubs have undergone major changes since their last match. Hugh Freeze has already been appointed as the Tigers’ head coach, and the Bulldogs have a slew of new faces eager to make an impact.
Georgia is expecting to have several important players back from the injured list this week, including defensive back Javon Bullard, wide receiver Ladd McConkey, and defensive lineman Mykel Williams. None of the three individuals on the list played against UAB a week ago.
Georgia is on its first road trip of the season in week five, with an unblemished record in 2023. Auburn, on the other side, was defeated by Texas A&M in week four.
Updates in real time:
In the first quarter,
• Georgia wins the toss and chooses to alternate in the second half. Auburn will begin with football.
• (13:02) The kickoff is a touchback, and the Tigers take over on their own 25-yard line. On Auburn’s first drive, Georgia’s defence forces a three-and-out after sacking Thorne on third down. Following the punt, Georgia will take over on the 32-yard line.
• (9:54) After Georgia gained a first down on Ladd McConkey’s run, the Tigers forced the Bulldogs to kick the ball away. After a nice punt from Brett Thorson, Auburn will take over at the seven-yard line.
• (6:04) Thorne rips off a huge run to help turn the field and get the Tigers offence going. Georgia’s defence, on the other hand, is able to make a stand and limit Auburn to a field goal. (Auburn 3, Georgia 0)
• (5:44) Georgia takes over on offence after a false start penalty on Auburn’s kickoff. Auburn’s defence then causes a turnover on an interception and takes control of the game around the middle of the field. (Auburn 3, Georgia 0)
• (2:00) Georgia’s defence brings Auburn to fourth down, but Thorne continues going and gets the first down. After a defensive pass interference penalty on Daylen Everette, the Tigers get another first down. Jarquez Hunter then completes the task by punching it into the end zone. (Auburn 10, Georgia 0)
• (END) Mekhi Mews kicks off the drive with a terrific return on the kick, putting Georgia on their own 44-yard line. Georgia then works their way down the pitch after numerous good offensive efforts. The second quarter will begin on Auburn territory. (0 for Georgia, 0 for Auburn)
Third Quarter:
• (11:49) Dillon Bell contributes to the offence with a pair of good runs out of the backfield. On third down, Beck strikes Lovett despite getting hit on the pass to keep the drive rolling. Daijun Edwards then scores for the Dawgs. Georgia scores. (Auburn 7, Georgia 10)
• (9:52) Georgia forces a three-and-out on defence and recovers the ball. Following the punt, the Bulldogs’ offence will take over at their own 21-yard line.
• (5:57) Daijun Edwards and Dominic Lovett pick up many first downs in the drive to help Georgia march down the field. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint then makes a huge catch to push the Bulldogs to the 18-yard line. Beck then attempts to find Bowers on 2nd and 3rd down but fails to convert. Woodring then scores from 37 yards out to tie the game. (Auburn 10, Georgia 10)
• (1:18) Auburn gets going after a good kickoff return to start their drive from their own 42-yard line. Thorne’s great play to elude pressure and pass for a first down gives the Tigers a first down. The Tigers then march down the field, but on fourth down, they try for it, and Georgia’s defence stops them. The Bulldogs take the ball at their own 12-yard line.
• (0:25) Georgia is unable to generate any offence as the Tigers’ defence forces a three-and-out. Following Thorson’s punt, Auburn will take over at their own 28-yard line.
• (END) Georgia forces another three-and-out on defence, and after two timeouts called by Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs tried but failed to block the punt on fourth down. (Auburn 10, Georgia 10)
Third Trimester:
• (14:43) Georgia takes over on offence to begin the second half, but on the first play, Georgia fumbles the ball away and hands it back to the Tigers.
• (13:31) Robby Ashford comes in as quarterback and drives all the way down to the 14-yard line on the opening play. Ashford then runs it in for a score to put the Tigers up. (Auburn 10, Georgia 17)
• (10:22) Georgia’s second possession of the quarter begins with a kickoff touchback at the 25-yard line. Ladd McConkey continues the drive after catching a pass on 3rd and 6. The Bulldogs, though, delay and kick the ball back to Auburn, which is ruled a touchback.
• (5:27) Thorne takes up a couple of first downs with his legs to keep the Tigers’ offence going. Georgia’s defence, though, makes a huge play and forces the punt as Daylen Everette breaks up the pass on third down. Because of the Auburn punt, Georgia will take over at their own two-yard line.
• (1:03) Daijun Edwards gives Georgia breathing space with a 16-yard run. Rara Thomas then scoops up another first down on 3rd and medium to keep the Bulldogs moving. McConkey then scores again on 3rd and long to keep the drive alive. Brock Bowers then assists the offence in getting down to the 13-yard line. The game is subsequently tied as Daijun Edwards punches it in. (Auburn 17, Georgia 17)
• (END) At the start of the fourth quarter, Auburn confronts a 3rd and 2 situation. (Auburn 17, Georgia 17)
In the fourth quarter,
• (14:34) Georgia intercepts Auburn on third and short and recovers the ball after a three-and-out. The Bulldogs will take the field from the nine-yard line.
• (10:57) Bowers kicks off the drive with a nice play that moves the offence up near midfield. Bowers then follows it up with another huge play on 3rd and 9 for a 28-yard gain to keep the momentum going. After a penalty on 1st down, Georgia is forced to settle for a field goal, which they make. Georgia seizes the initiative. (Auburn 20, Georgia 17)
• After the kickoff, Auburn’s offence takes possession at the 25-yard line (6:21). The Tigers then move down the field, aided in part by a Georgia defensive pass interference penalty. Auburn settles for a field goal to re-tie the game. (Auburn 20, Georgia 20)
• After the touchback, Georgia takes possession at the 25-yard line (2:52). Georgia’s Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint gains 18 yards for a first down. Brock Bowers then has a first-down catch on third and long. Bowers then carries it the rest of the way and scores to give Georgia the lead again. (Auburn 27, Georgia 20)
• (1:28) After the kickoff, Auburn takes possession at the 25-yard line. After a great ball from Thorne across the centre of the field, the Tigers get a first down. Thorne then throws an interception to Malaki Starks on fourth down, and the Dawgs take over.
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