Photographer KOd on sideline after scary collision with Georgia's Herrien
- by Grant Boone
- in Sports
- — Nov 18, 2019
The second half was a lot better, you know.
Auburn didn't score until the fourth quarter.
All's well that ends well, but switching to zone and almost snatching defeat from the jaws of victory likely shaved some time off Georgia fans' lifespans.
The Bulldogs have two wins over top-16 teams and emerging from Auburn with a win would be another prestigious scalp to their belt, consolidating their chances of playoffs.
With the Bulldogs still up 14, Auburn's defense played the part to ensure the point differential did not increase.
Georgia ranks 32nd in total offense at an average of 448 yards per game, with 232.6 of those coming through the air via Jake Fromm. With a 21-0 lead, Georgia's defense switched from their smothering man defense to a soft zone, presumably so as to not give up any home run plays. Covering 57 yards over the span of five plays in just over a minute, the Tigers put their second round of points on the board. JaTarvious Whitlow is the team's leading rusher with 553 yards and seven touchdowns, but he missed the last game with a knee injury and is questionable to play this afternoon.
After moving from the Auburn 28 to the 50, the Tigers faced a 4th and 5. Freshman Bo Nix threw three incompletions and was sacked on the Tigers' final drive starting from their 27.
After Auburn's onside kick recovery was overturned because of an Anthony Schwartz illegal block, the defense forced a Georgia 3-and-out and the offense was marching into Georgia territory with an opportunity to complete the comeback.
The sophomore wide receiver just had the busiest game of his young career, as he caught 13 passes for 121 yards in a 21-14 loss to No. 4 Georgia.
"Yeah, you know, at times we're playing really good, and at times we're not", Malzahn said. Our guys are disappointed, but they'll rebound. "They fought their guts out for Auburn". D'Andre Swift, the best back in the conference, leads the Bulldogs in rushing with 921 yards.
But Alabama is now without its star quarterback and will lean on backup Mac Jones, who has thrown only 65 passes all season for 566 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. He competed. He's a great competitor.
Malzahn said the Tigers offense was a "work in progress" following Auburn's home opener in early September. Senior defenders Derrick Brown and Daniel Thomas tied for the team lead with 12 total tackles apiece, while sophomore defensive back Christian Tutt contributed the lone turnover by intercepting John Rhys Plumlee.
The secret to Georgia's success - at least before the fourth quarter - was a stifling run defense.
"Then in the fourth quarter, we got some momentum".
