Auburn holds off Georgia on the road 31-30

By Kyle Dudley  |   Sunday, November 13, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!

Devin Aromashodu took a fourth down pass and turned into a key 63 yard gain to set up the game winning field goal by John Vaughn. That gave the 15th ranked Auburn Tigers (8-2, 6-1 SEC) a 31-30 win against the 9th ranked Georgia Bulldogs (7-2, 5-2 SEC) in Athens.

Overall, the game included 8 lead changes, including the clinching field goal with just seconds remaining. The field goal was set up when Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox hit Aromashodu in stride. After splitting the safeties, Aromashodu sprinted his way down to just short of the goal line. Georgia's Paul Oliver popped the ball loose, but Courtney Taylor fell on the ball to preserve the possession for the Tigers.

Cox finished the day 16-of-28 through the air for 279 yards. He threw one pick, but showed up when it mattered on that fourth down play. Aromashodu led the team receiving with 4 catches for 135 yards. Despite the highlighted fourth down pass, it was the Auburn rushing attack that was the difference. Junior running back, Kenny Irons carried the ball 37 times for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Georgia's loss surely can't be blamed on star quarterback D.J. Shockley, who was 20-of-36 through the air for 304 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no picks. He also spread the ball around effectively, finding tight end Leonard Pope 8 times for 102 yards and a touchdown as well as freshman wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi 6 times for 108 yards and another touchdown.

Statistically the game was a dead heat, with both teams turning the ball over twice. The Auburn Tigers converted 6-of-15 third downs, while the Georgia Bulldogs were 6-of-14. The difference, in the end, was one fourth down conversion.

Despite the loss, Georgia can still make the SEC championship game if they beat Kentucky next week. This due to rival Florida's loss to South Carolina earlier today. In the mean time, Auburn knew they controlled their own destiny in the SEC west once Alabama lost to LSU in overtime just before the kickoff of this game.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report