Game Info:
In the grand scheme of the Auburn Tiger’s schedule, this game meant nothing more than a high-profile conference game. And for Georgia, they were looking to top a team that they blew out the year before. All the fans knew, however, that this game was going to provide for us a game much more than an easy win for Auburn. Auburn (9-1) was ranked #7 at the time and Georgia (6-3) had moved into the rankings at #25.
This specific game had been scheduled for 3:30 PM ET on November 16th, 2013. The game was to be held at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. This serves as the home field for the Auburn Tigers and has done so since 1939. Many great showdowns have taken place here, but no one has been as surprising as the one that happened on that date.
Summary:
Auburn had gotten the ball at kickoff and done what they’ve done all season: drive the field. The Tigers got into the Georgia 5 with good passing by Nick Marshall. This set up a field goal kick by Cody Parkey from 22 yards out. AUB-3 UGA-0. Auburn had kicked the ball off to Georgia next and held them to a 3-and-out with stellar defense. Auburn then moved down the field in 6 plays to set up a 21 yard touchdown run by Corey Grant. AUB-10 UGA-0. Georgia then was stopped again on offense with another 3-and-out and was forced to punt. Auburn capitalized on this and set up on field goal range for Cody Parkey to hit it from 35 yards out. AUB-13 UGA-0.
Next ensuing drive went much different for Georgia. The Bulldogs steadily moved down the field with passes from Aaron Murray moving the team. This was enough to give Todd Gurley a 9 yard hole for the score. AUB-13 UGA-7. Auburn wasn’t going to let Georgia get much closer as they pushed down to score with a run from Nick Marshall. AUB-20 UGA-7. A series of punts and a turnover by Georgia went on for around 5 minutes, until Auburn got the ball. The Tigers let Tre Mason run wild to get another score to move up another score. AUB-27 UGA-7. Georgia, however, got in position for a field goal before half and nailed it. AUB-27 UGA-10. That set us into half where some speeches occurred (we’re sure of it).
The Bulldogs got the ball at half and it was all Aaron Murray. Murray went on a passing hiatus that led to a Georgia rush from 16 yards out. AUB-27 UGA-17. This close distance wasn’t for long when Nick Marshall and Tre Mason combined to move down the field for a Marshall touchdown rush. AUB-34 UGA-17. This is when things got tricky. Nothing happened for a solid 11 minutes, until Auburn hit a 32 yard field goal. AUB-37 UGA-17. Then Georgia decided to flip the script.
Georgia had Aaron Murray to lead them to a 21 point run with passes flying all over and Murray looking to pull off the upset. No matter what Auburn would do, the Bulldogs seemed to be on in the 4th. AUB-37 UGA-38. The Tigers were looking like they had the game lost on a 4th and 18. Nick Marshall lobbed the ball downfield where 2 defenders stood. One went up and it bounced off of him right into the hands of Ricardo Lewis. Lewis, as shocked as we were, was ecstatic to reach the endzone on a 73 yard pass. The Tigers went for 2, but didn’t get it. AUB-43 UGA-38. It looked all done for the Bulldogs of Georgia. However, Murray wasn’t done at all. Murray launched and drew amazing passes to set up Georgia in the Auburn 20. On a last play as time expired, Murray threw it up and it was…incomplete. Auburn had won on a miracle of a bounce to keep their national title hopes alive.
Key Players:
Auburn:
Tre Mason, RB (27 Carries, 115 Rushing Yards, 1 TD)
Tre Mason had the game of his college career in this one. His efforts on multiple offensive drives led to scores and set up good looks for the Tiger’s offense. Mason is now a running back in the Canadian Football League, after his talent went unnoticed in the NFL. Mason was a leader for this 2013 Auburn team that later went to the National Championship.
Georgia:
Aaron Murray, QB (33-49, 415 Passing Yards, 2 TD Passes, 37 Rushing yards, 2 TD Rushes)
I think many fans were as disappointed has him. After having the game of your life and almost beating the heavy favorites of the game with sheer talent as amazing. It was important Aaron Murray kept his end up after this one for his team. Murray now serves as the quarterback of the Atlanta Legends in the new league the Alliance of American Football, which is set to start this winter.
What Happened After?
Auburn- The Tigers stayed alive off another miracle with the “Kick Six” in the Iron Bowl against Alabama the week after. This set up for an Auburn SEC Championship win over #5 Missouri, which sent them to the National Championship. In the National Championship, the Auburn Tigers fell to the Florida State Seminoles in a classic. This was the last BCS National Championship ever, since the move to the Playoff Era.
Georgia- The Bulldogs enjoyed 2 more wins, against Kentucky and Georgia Tech. This poised Georgia to be invited to play in that year’s Gator Bowl against Nebraska. The Bulldog, unfortunately, fell to Nebraska 24-19 in another classic.
Photo Credits: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1880185-tre-mason-breaks-sec-championship-game-rushing-record-vs-missouri
https://fansided.com/2013/11/16/georgia-qb-aaron-murray-reacts-auburn-hail-mary-gif/
https://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/11/hear_rod_brambletts_auburn_rad.html
