Auburn coach Gus Malzhan didn’t have too much to say about Georgia after the game, probably because he was still grappling with the loss.
But one of his players had plenty of nice things to say about the No. 4-ranked Bulldogs, which clinched the SEC East with the 21-14 road win at No. 12 Auburn.
“Georgia is a great team,” said Auburn defensive back Javaris Davis. “Knowing that we had to come into this game and execute on all cylinders: special teams, offense and defense. We just didn’t get the job done.
“Shout out to Georgia. They played a great game. They are a great team. We just have to get back to work.”
Auburn offensive lineman Jack Driscoll was thrilled about his team’s offensive resurrection in the fourth quarter, and he also dropped some compliments to UGA’s defense along the way:
“Yeah up front, I can honestly say that we played really well. Obviously, we’re going to watch film tomorrow, but we gave (our quarterback) time. For our running backs, that’s one of the best rush defenses in the country, and they hadn’t allowed a rushing touchdown in nine games. And the fact in the second half, especially, we started the running the ball and wearing them down a little bit.
Credit them – they play a lot of guys. They play eight, nine, 10 guys on the defensive line, so they’re always fresh. But ultimately, coach (Malzahn) had a great game plan, and we just wore them down a little bit. It showed in the second half, and we started making some plays.”
Another Auburn defensive back, Jeremiah Dinson, was proud of the way his team rallied back, but he admitted UGA’s touchdown just before halftime really hurt the Tigers:
“”It was real tough. I feel like they did a good job of execution. I know I was out there thinking pass, and they hit us with the half back draw. Then they came back again and hit us with the half back draw. Georgia executed the two-minute well. I wanted to at least hold them to a field goal at that time, but hats off to Georgia. They did a good job.”