No. 1 Georgia shut down
Johnson’s rushing, dominant defense overpower Bulldogs.
No. 10 Auburn’s defense holds the Bulldogs’ vaunted running attack in check as the College Football Playoff rankings face a shakeup,
AUBURN, ALA. — Kerryon Johnson and the Auburn Tigers delivered an emphatic statement to the rest of the Southeastern Conference: Don’t forget us. The 10th-ranked Tigers emerged from the shadows of the nation’s top two teams, riding Johnson and a smothering defense to a 40-17 victory over No. 1 Georgia on Saturday.
With Johnson running for 167 yards and catching a 55-yard touchdown pass from Jarrett Stidham, Auburn (8-2, 6-1 SEC) remained in Western Division and potentially playoff contention after snapping a three-year losing streak to one of its top rivals. The Bulldogs (9-1, 6-1) came in with the top spot in the playoff rankings and could get a rematch if Auburn beats No. 2 Alabama in two weeks.
The first go-around wasn’t pretty for Georgia. The Tigers held Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and the SEC’s top ground game to 46 yards, 233 below their season average.
As Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said, “They seized the moment.
“We have a great opportunity right now, and our goal was to win the SEC championship,” Malzahn said. “Here we are, Nov. 11, and we’re right in the middle of it. And all the dreams we have are still alive.”
Johnson ran 32 times and caught two passes for 66 yards. Stidham threw for 214 yards and three touchdowns, all of 30-plus yards. He also ran for a 7-yard score.
“We knew we had a great team, but we had to go out and prove it,” Johnson said. “We did that today, and that’s something we can hang our hat on.”
Georgia special teams blunders helped set up three Auburn touchdowns, including a roughing-the-punter flag in the first half. The Bulldogs fumbled away a punt return and had a 15-yard personal foul in the third quarter when Auburn pulled away with two touchdowns.
“What made it so lopsided was the uncharacteristic penalties,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said.
Ryan Davis returned a punt 26 yards into Georgia territory, with the flag adding yardage. Then Davis took a screen pass 32 yards for a touchdown to make it 30-7. Darius Slayton made a 42-yard scoring grab earlier, rolling into the end zone.
Chubb gained 27 yards on 11 carries with a 1-yard TD on the opening drive. Michel ran nine times for 21 yards.
Jake Fromm was 13 of 28 passing for 184 yards and a late touchdown pass.
Smart said Auburn “whipped” the Bulldogs at the lines of scrimmage.
“Humility is always a week away, and I think this team will answer and respond the right way,” he said.