About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgia head coach Kirby Smart did not hide his frustration after the Bulldogs suffered a stunning 27-24 loss to Auburn on Saturday. Georgia surrendered an early 14-point lead before Alex McPherson kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired.
The defeat ended Georgia's nine-game winning streak against Auburn and handed the Bulldogs their first loss of the season. Smart credited Auburn for executing better while criticizing his own team's costly mistakes.
"Yeah, tough one. We like to say the dogs don't beat the dogs, but they found a way to beat themselves today," Smart said after the game. "Like I say, humility is a week away."
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Georgia initially looked comfortable after Dwight Phillips scored a rushing touchdown and Gunner Stockton connected with Lawson Luckie for another score. However, Auburn responded with 24 consecutive points to take control.
Smart acknowledged that Auburn deserved the victory because of its execution and discipline.
"Auburn played better than us today, executed better than us today," he said. "Didn't turn the ball over and hit the red area plays."
NCAA Football: Auburn at Georgia Athens, Georgia, USA; Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown (17) runs for a gain past Georgia safety Rasean Dinkins (14) during the third quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The Bulldogs struggled to contain Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown, who rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown. Georgia also committed costly turnovers and undisciplined penalties throughout the contest.
"We had some really, really untimely, undisciplined, uncharacteristic penalties," Smart said.
Stockton finished with 272 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He later helped Georgia erase a 10-point deficit, connecting with London Humphreys to tie the game at 24-24.
However, Stockton fumbled with 58 seconds remaining, giving Auburn another opportunity. A roughing-the-passer penalty against Gabe Harris Jr. then helped the Tigers move into field-goal range.
McPherson converted from 34 yards as time expired to complete the upset.
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Smart refused to dwell on the disappointment, stressing that Georgia still controls its response moving forward.
"At the end of the day, we pick it up. Everything we wanna do is in front of us," Smart said. "We have to turn around and get ready to go play again, because it is a war in this league, week in and week out. Everybody can beat everybody."
Georgia now enters its bye week before facing Florida on Oct. 31 in Atlanta. Smart's immediate challenge will be correcting the mistakes that turned a promising start into a damaging defeat.
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Source: Sports
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