Mario Fannin, No. 27: eludes the Georgia defenders on the way to the end zone in the first quarter of Saturday’s game. Pete Riley / PHOTO STAFF
Auburn came within inches of knocking off the tenth-ranked Bulldogs Saturday, failing to score on the final play of the game, losing 17-13.
Kodi Burns led the Tiger offense down the field in the final minutes, but a fourth and one play with seconds remaining fell short of the outstretched arms of Ben Tate in the back of the end zone.
Coach Tommy Tuberville said the final drive was a sign of the progress the offense has made from the beginning of the season to now.
“We are not there yet on offense in terms of being able to make the play at the crucial time,” Tuberville said.
Noticeably absent on the final two drives for Auburn, was running back Mario Fannin.
Fannin started the game and was featured heavily in the offense, racking up more than 100 yards of total offense and scoring both of Auburn’s two touchdowns.
Tuberville said the move to put Tate in on the final drive was nothing more than splitting carries.
Tate struggled on the day, averaging fewer than three yards per carry and catching only one pass out of the backfield.
Defensively, Auburn was slashed by Knowshon Moreno in the first half, with Moreno carrying for nearly 90 yards in the first quarter alone.
Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford had no interceptions and threw for two touchdowns on the day.
But Georgia mental miscues nearly cost the team the game.
The Bulldogs gave away nearly 100 yards in penalties to Auburn, keeping drives alive and giving away field position.
With the loss, Auburn drops to 5-6 overall and 2-5 in the SEC.
After the bye-week, the Tigers will travel to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama.
The Tide finished the week undefeated and No. 1 in both the AP and BCS rankings.
“This is our season,” Burns said. “They’re the No. 1 team, and we’re down and really beat up. That’s what it’s about — rebounding and coming back.”
