Georgia 31-13 Auburn (Oct. 5, 2024) Game Recap

ATHENS, Ga. – No. 5 Georgia bounced back from its first regular-season loss in nearly four years – and received an added bonus after the game ended.

Trevor Etienne ran for two touchdowns, Carson Beck threw two scoring passes and the Bulldogs wore down struggling Auburn to secure a 31-13 victory on a muggy Saturday between the hedgerows.

About a half-hour after Georgia (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) earned its eighth straight win in the Deep South's oldest rivalry, No. 1 Alabama – the team that beat the Bulldogs to a heartbreaking 41-34 loss last week – was stunningly upset by Vanderbilt 40-35.

There was cheering throughout Sanford Stadium and the surrounding parking lots as Georgia fans celebrated an unlikely result in Nashville that boosted their team's prospects in the division race.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart arrived later than usual for his postgame press conference, finally appearing just after Vanderbilt sealed its historic triumph.

“A lot of other people don’t respect Vandy,” Smart said. “But I respect Vandy, I respect coach (Clark) Lea, I respect his team, I respect his quarterback. Nothing shocks me about our league.”

The Bulldogs began the season ranked No. 1 and looking to win their third national championship in four years. That goal is still within reach, although they couldn't score many style points against the offensively challenged Tigers (2-4, 0-3).

“Welcome to the SEC,” Smart said. “It’s hard every week. I have a feeling it won’t stop.”

Auburn has lost six straight games to Power Four opponents, keeping the pressure on second-year coach Hugh Freeze.

“Obviously a disappointing season,” Freeze said. “Another step that did not go in the direction we had hoped.”

As temperatures climbed into the mid-80s, Etienne scored on a 2-yard run to cap Georgia's first possession.

He added a 1-yard scoring plunge late in the third quarter that led to conflicting decisions. One official dismissed it, another said it crossed the goal line – if only by an inch or two. The TD call was confirmed after a detailed video review.

Etienne finished with 88 yards on 16 carries.

“The touchdowns are great, but it’s about the hard yards,” Smart said. “He gets the hard yards.”

The Bulldogs tied the game early in the fourth quarter with Beck's 3-yard touchdown strike to Dillon Bell.

Georgia's fifth-year quarterback completed 23 of 29 passes for 240 yards and also connected with Dominic Lovett on an 11-yard TD.

It was a satisfying recovery for Beck, who had three interceptions, lost a fumble and gave up a safety with an intentional grounding penalty in the loss to Alabama.

After recovering from a 30-7 halftime deficit, Georgia's final shot in Tuscaloosa ended with Beck throwing a pick into the end zone.

“He’s a tough competitor, he’s a winner,” Smart said. “I’ll go to war with this guy anytime.”

Jarquez Hunter scored Auburn's only touchdown by breaking a tackle near the line and sprinting 38 yards to the end zone to cut Georgia's lead to 14-10. But the Tigers didn't have nearly enough firepower to seriously challenge the Bulldogs.

“We don’t play winning football in critical times and moments,” groaned Freeze.

The takeaway food

Auburn: The Tigers stayed competitive for most of the game, but their lack of offense eventually caught up with them. The defense ran out of steam after struggling quarterback Payton Thorne was thrown for a 1-yard loss on a fourth-and-1 at the Auburn 44, which was virtually the visiting team's last attempt. Thorne passed for over 200 yards and had no interceptions, which was a step in the right direction. His numbers would have been even better if Malcom Simmons hadn't thrown a sure-fire touchdown pass.

Georgia: After Alabama's 42-game regular-season winning streak was snapped, the Bulldogs were eager for an impressive performance. Their performance was solid but hardly dominant, which again raises the question of whether this team is as strong as Kirby Smart's squad of the last three seasons. There's still a lot of room for improvement with huge road games coming up against Texas and Ole Miss. The defense suffered a blow when lineman Christen Miller left the game with a left knee injury.

Next

Auburn: The Tigers are off next week and return Oct. 19 with another road game at No. 9 Missouri, a team expected to fall in the rankings after a 41-10 loss at No. 25 Texas A&M. “I’m glad it’s open week,” Freeze said. “We as coaches have to find a way to train them harder.”

Georgia: Hosts Mississippi State in an SEC game next Saturday.

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