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Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) scrambles out of the pocket against Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Georgia leads Auburn 20-10 at halftime.(Photo: Jake Crandall)
1. How one play can change a game’s momentum
Auburn played solid football in the first quarter and trailed 13-10 with 2:07 left in the first half. The Tigers faced a third-and-2 from its own 25 when Jarrett Stidham over threw a wide open JaTarvious Whitlow.
If Stidham makes the simple completion — one of his only five incompletions in the first half — Auburn is in position to at least get in field goal range to tie the score heading into the locker room. However, Auburn is forced to give it back to the Bulldogs.
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On the ensuing drive, Georgia decides to go for it on fourth-and-3 from the Auburn’s 38-yard line. Jake Fromm connects with Terry Godwin for a touchdown 21 seconds before halftime and a 20-10 lead.
Georgia was never threatened again in winning its sixth straight in the series against Auburn in Athens, Ga., dating back to 2005.
2. Tigers’ defense has no answers for D’Andre Swift
Georgia sophomore D’Andre Swift’s skill set matches his surname. The Bulldogs’ elusive running back ran inside, outside and up the middle to terrorize Auburn’s defense to the tune of 229 yards.
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Swift carried the ball 17 times for 186 yards including a game-breaking 77-yard touchdown run that gave the Bulldogs a 27-10 lead. He also caught four passes for 43 yards including a 25-yarder on third down.
Swift, a 5-foot-9, 215-pounder, looks to be in the similar mold of recent star Georgia running backs Todd Gurley (Los Angeles Rams), Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns) and Sony Michel (New England Patriots).
3. Was Georgia’s fourth-quarter fake FG attempt rubbing it in?
With 3:20 left in the game, Georgia was leading 27-10. The Bulldogs were lining up for a 31-yard field goal attempt. But instead of having Rodrigo Blankenship kick the field goal, Georgia coach Kirby Smart called for a fake field goal attempt.
Blankenship’s pass to Isaac Nauta was incomplete, but was the decision by Smart and attempt to stick it to Gus Malzahn and the Tigers? It makes you wonder, and it’s something to consider as the rivalry between the two schools continues.
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