Auburn stuns No. 1 Georgia 27-24 on McPherson's final kick

The Big Picture

Auburn knocked off No. 1 Georgia 27-24 on Saturday, Oct. 17, when Alex McPherson made a 34-yard field goal as time expired, ending the Bulldogs' nine-game winning streak in the rivalry.

The result was a major reversal for Auburn, which entered the game unranked and had watched Georgia win 53 consecutive games against unranked opponents, according to The Guardian. Auburn improved to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in the Southeastern Conference, while Georgia fell to 6-1 and 4-1 in the league.

The loss will end Georgia's one-week stay at No. 1 in the AP Top 25, The Guardian reported.

What Happened

Georgia opened with a 14-0 lead, first on Dwight Phillips' 15-yard touchdown run and then on Gunner Stockton's 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Lawson Luckie. Stockton briefly left after hitting the field helmet-first on the opening play, but returned for Georgia's next possession.

Auburn responded by scoring the next 24 points behind a physical, run-heavy approach led by quarterback Byrum Brown. Brown ran for 115 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, while also throwing a touchdown pass, according to The Guardian. Auburn finished with a 192-113 advantage in rushing yards.

Georgia trailed 24-14 before Peyton Woodring made a 42-yard field goal. The Bulldogs then tied the game on a 94-yard, 13-play drive that began at their own 6-yard line and ended with Stockton's four-yard touchdown pass to London Humphreys.

With 58 seconds remaining, however, Stockton fumbled while running from the Auburn 46-yard line as Georgia moved toward potential go-ahead field-goal range. Auburn safety Sylvester Smith-Reed recovered at the Auburn 44.

A roughing-the-passer penalty against Georgia's Gabe Harris Jr. helped Auburn move into position for McPherson, whose final kick sent Auburn players onto the field in celebration.

Why It Matters

The outcome extended an unusual stretch at the top of the AP poll. The Guardian, citing Sportradar, reported that it was the first time since October 1990 that the No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 lost in consecutive weeks. Texas, then ranked No. 1, lost to Oklahoma the previous week.

Georgia's mistakes were central to the upset. Stockton threw two interceptions, matching his previous season total through six games, before losing the decisive fumble. The Bulldogs also committed three personal-foul penalties, The Guardian reported.

For Auburn, the victory gives first-year coach Alex Golesh an early signature result. The Tigers were able to blunt Georgia's early momentum with their rushing attack and then capitalized when the Bulldogs failed to protect the ball late.

What Each Side Is Saying

Golesh praised his players after the win and framed it as part of a longer rebuilding effort.

"It's pretty neat," Golesh said. "I'm really proud of our guys. Really proud of them."

"We're going to build Auburn back to where everybody wants it, one game at a time. Just hang with us."

Georgia coach Kirby Smart pointed to turnovers and penalties after his team's first loss.

"We helped them," Smart said. "We had three turnovers and critical penalties. ... We had some really, really untimely, uncharacteristic and undisciplined penalties."

What Happens Next

Georgia remains 4-1 in SEC play despite the defeat, while Auburn moved to 2-2 in conference competition. The result reshapes the immediate national conversation around the Bulldogs after their brief spell atop the AP poll and gives Auburn momentum following one of the program's most consequential rivalry wins in years.