The Auburn Tigers (7-3, 4-3) failed in their comeback efforts this past Saturday hosting the Playoff hopeful Georgia Bulldogs (9-1, 6-1).
Bo Nix and the offense stayed dormant for three quarters. The defense did not play to their full potential but by no means were the reason for the 21-14 loss. Before a 14 point spurt in the final quarter, the Tigers had 5 three-and-outs and were unable to get the ball inside the UGA 20.
For the home team, there seemed to be no urgency on offense for the majority of the game. To the disproval of many, 7 of the Auburn drives ended in punts instead of points on the board. Outside of a 46-yard field goal attempt on the first drive of the game, the Auburn offense had to march on average 75 yards if they wanted to score.
Momentum played a big factor in Saturday’s game with Georgia controlling that category for a majority of the game and in most cases can decide a game when a team goes on a run.
Auburn got their scoring started early in the 4th quarter after a Bo Nix 3-yard pass to Eli Stove. They then followed that up with a 5 play 57-yard drive capped off by a Nix 2-yard touchdown which was the first rushing touchdown UGA had allowed all season.
It was Auburn’s game to win at this point as the defense held Jake Fromm and the Georgia offense to only 2 yards the entire quarter. With 3:36 left in regulation, the Tigers turned the ball over on downs twice after Nix failed to complete a pass on the final play of the final drive. Controversial plays are a part of the game and in this case may have been the break the Bulldogs needed after the refs called Seth Williams out of bounds on an incomplete pass on 2nd down. The game ended 3:10 minutes later and Nix failed to complete a pass following the call.
When things are going your way, it’s difficult for an opposing team to re-group and disturb the flow of a game. The Auburn offense has struggled all season finding a rhythm and play a full game the way they did in the 4th quarter from this past Saturday. This has been the best defense Auburn fans have seen in years, but the lack of offensive backup is making people scratch their heads.
Auburn come Iron Bowl Weekend will have to find momentum early and make it last 4 quarters if they stand a chance against a top 5 ranked team. The 4th quarter vs. Georgia was just a glimpse of what Gus Malzahn will have to construct if he wants to win 10 games in 2019.
