Auburn stuns Georgia 27-24 on McPherson’s final kick
A late Stockton fumble and a roughing-the-passer penalty set up the game-winning 34-yard kick at Sanford Stadium.
Alex McPherson drilled a 34-yard field goal as time expired Saturday, lifting Auburn to a 27-24 upset over previously unbeaten Georgia at Sanford Stadium. The kick capped a frantic final minute triggered by a Gunner Stockton fumble and a critical roughing-the-passer penalty.
The loss snaps Georgia’s nine-game winning streak against Auburn in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. It also marks the Bulldogs’ first defeat of the season after they jumped out to a 14-0 lead behind early touchdowns from Dwight Phillips and Lawson Luckie.
Auburn responded with 24 consecutive points. Quarterback Byrum Brown accounted for much of that surge, rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown while exploiting gaps in a Georgia defense that had allowed just 15.8 points per game entering the weekend.
Stockton finished 272 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Bulldogs. He orchestrated a late rally to erase a 10-point deficit, hitting London Humphreys to tie the score at 24-24. Then came the turnover with 58 seconds left. Gabe Harris Jr. drew a roughing-the-passer flag on the ensuing drive, extending Auburn’s possession into McPherson’s range.
“We had some really, really untimely, undisciplined, uncharacteristic penalties,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said. “Like I say, humility is a week away.”
Smart credited Auburn’s discipline, noting the Tigers avoided turnovers and converted in the red zone. Georgia last lost to Auburn in 2013, a 43-38 defeat that similarly derailed a top-five ranking. The program has now dropped three games at home since Smart took over in 2016.
Georgia enters a bye week before facing Florida on Oct. 31 in Atlanta. The matchup will take place at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, where the Bulldogs have won their last four meetings against the Gators by an average margin of 24 points.
