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Georgia fights off slow start and finds a way in Auburn: 'Our guys never quit'

Jeremy Johnsonby: Jeremy Johnson10/12/25JeremyO_Johnson
Auburn vs Georgia 10-11-25-224

Georgia suffered another slow start on Saturday night. The Bulldogs did not allow that to turn into a loss. Georgia rallied in the second half to defeat Auburn 20-10 in the ‘Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry’.

Georgia found a lot of reasons and ways to be in the 10-0 hole it found itself in. Auburn went out and raced down the field twice in the first quarter. Georgia only had possession for about 4 minutes of the first quarter of the game.

By halftime, Auburn had 237 yards of offense.

Auburn was pushing toward a 17-0 lead when a Georgia defender popped the ball free from Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold as he was about to cross the goal line.

Georgia recovered that fumble and marched the length of the field and got a field goal right before halftime. The Bulldogs scored 20 unanswered points from that point on to earn their ninth straight win over the Tigers.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was once again complimentary of Georgia’s resilience.

“Our kids never quit,” Smart told reporters following the game. “I’m proud of our kids. I’m as proud of this team as I am probably any team ever for the performance. We did not come out and start fast, play well. They outplayed us. They played with momentum, tempo, run game, stopped us running the ball really in the first half and it was frustrating, but the kids never quit. And that’s never been more evident than a punch out on the goal line, which we practice all the time. And Raylen, CJ, whoever did it, it was amazing play that they’re not in until they’re in. That’s our saying, ‘they ain’t in until they’re in.’ And there were some long faces over there, but the kids did a great job. It was really an electric atmosphere to play in.”

Georgia has found its personality for 2025. The Bulldogs refuse to quit on any game.

“Yeah, just that we’ll never quit,” Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton said after the game. “That’s why they give you four quarters. We didn’t play the way we wanted to, but at the end of the day, a win’s a win. I’m really excited.”

Georgia’s offense rebounded and held Auburn to 50 yards in the second half. Georgia’s halftime adjustments were minimal defensively.

“I thought at halftime, the coaching staff did a great job allowing the kids to have some confidence,” Smart said. “The drive before the half kept us alive. And I think we were the stronger team in the fourth quarter. And that’s what we pride ourselves on… Zero (changes were made). It was just to strike blockers, play blockers better and tackle. We changed a couple of things, but they were minor and things you guys wouldn’t understand. No offense, but it was just complicated. And at the end of the day, we got one first down and gave us a chance to win third down when you don’t win first down.”

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