Alex McPherson kicked a game-winning 34-yard field goal as time expired and Auburn, led by the dominant running game of quarterback Byrum Brown, upset No. 1 Georgia 27-24 on Saturday.
It was the second straight week that the top team in the AP Top 25 lost to an unranked opponent after then-No. 1 Texas fell to Oklahoma last Saturday. Auburn’s win means the No. 1-ranked team in the AP Top 25 has lost consecutive weeks for the first time since October 1990, according to Sportradar.
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton led a long game-tying touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, but lost a fumble with 58 seconds left and the Bulldogs headed for a possible go-ahead run down the field.
Stockton, who also threw two interceptions, fumbled on a run from the Auburn 46-yard line. Safety Sylvester Smith-Reed recovered for the Tigers at the Auburn 44. A roughing the passer penalty from Georgia’s Gabe Harris Jr. helped set up McPherson’s game-winning kick. Auburn players invaded the field.
“It’s pretty neat,” first-year Auburn coach Alex Golesh said. “I’m really proud of our guys. Really proud of them.
“We’re going to rebuild Auburn to where everyone wants it to be, one game at a time. Stay with us.”
Brown ran for 115 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries and added a touchdown pass.
Georgia (6-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) saw its nine-game winning streak against Auburn and 53 straight wins against unranked teams end in a loss that will also end the Bulldogs’ brief one-week stay atop the AP top 25.
Auburn (4-2, 2-2) beat the Bulldogs on the floor, edging Georgia 192-113. Running back Nate Frazier returned from a rib injury to start for Georgia, but was ineffective, gaining just 19 yards on nine carries.
Georgia trailed 24-14 before rallying on a 42-yard field goal from Peyton Woodring. Stockton led a game-tying touchdown drive that started at the Georgia six-yard line and covered 94 yards in 13 plays, capped by his four-yard pass to the London Humphreys.
Stockton’s two interceptions doubled his total from the previous season through six games. The Bulldogs were also hurt by errors, including three personal foul penalties.
“We helped them,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “We had three turnovers and critical penalties. … We had some really, really ill-timed, unusual and undisciplined penalties.”
After Georgia took a 14-0 lead, Auburn scored the next 24 points.
Georgia looked dominant in the opening minutes, even after Stockton had to leave after hitting helmet first on the opening play. Ryan Puglisi completed his three passes, including a 41-yarder to Craig Dandridge Jr, before Dwight Phillips’ 15-yard touchdown.
Stockton came back for the next possession and threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Lawson Luckie for a 14-0 lead.
Auburn responded with a physical-first attack led by 235-pound Brown, who was effective on both designed runs and when taking off after dropping back to pass.
Top-ranked teams have won 93 consecutive home games against unranked opponents since LSU lost to Arkansas 50-48 in double overtime on November 23, 2007.
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