Of all the bitter rivalries in the SEC, the one between the Georgia Bulldogs and Auburn Tigers is one of the best. While they play in separate divisions and are located in different states, Georgia and Auburn meet every year and are separated by less than 200 miles. The rivalry dates back to 1892 and is known as “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.” Naturally, it has produced some unforgettable games. Here are a few moments that stand out in the long history of the Georgia-Auburn rivalry.
A Stupid Call (2001)
For Georgia fans, this game is memorable for all of the wrong reasons. The Bulldogs trailed 24-17 late in the game but got the ball down to the 1-yard line with 16 seconds left on the clock.
With no timeouts, most teams would have spiked the ball so they could get at least two more plays. Instead, Georgia hurried to the line and tried to run it up the middle. However, the Auburn defense stood strong and the Bulldogs didn’t have enough time for another play, giving the Tigers a 24-17 win.
Fade to Johnson (2002)
The Bulldogs got some redemption the following year when they found themselves in a similar situation. Georgia got the ball with 1:25 left to play, trailing 21-17. The Bulldogs got into the red zone, only to stall out and face a 4th and 15 from the 19-yard line.
With the game on the line, David Greene threw a fade toward the back of the end zone and wide receiver Michael Johnson jumped over a stationary Horace Willis to make the catch. Georgia won the game 24-21 and would eventually win the program’s first SEC championship in 20 years.
4 Overtimes (1996)
This was the first SEC game to go to overtime, and that Tigers and Bulldogs turned it into a classic. Auburn led 28-7 midway through the second quarter, only for the Bulldogs to rally and tie the game at 28 to force overtime.
The Bulldogs scored 28 more points in overtime and finally got a stop in the fourth overtime to win 56-49. Of course, even more memorable than a four-overtime game was Georgia mascot Uga V trying to take a bite out of Auburn’s Robert Baker after he scored a touchdown.
The Fans Are On the Field (1986)
Not only did Georgia upset Auburn on the road, but the visiting fans who made the trip from Athens stormed the field after the game. Auburn officials sprayed them with hoses in hopes of getting them off the field.
However, the hoses didn’t quite reach midfield, where Georgia fans gathered to stay dry and tear up the Auburn logo. The hoses were later turned on the Georgia marching band with Auburn ultimately apologizing for the incident.
The Prayer at Jordan-Hare (2013)
It’ll be almost impossible to top this moment. Auburn led 37-17 early in the fourth quarter. But Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray threw three touchdown passes to give the Bulldogs a 38-37 lead with 36 seconds left. It would take a miracle for the Tigers to come back from that, which is exactly what they got.
On 4th and 18 from their own 27-yard line, Nick Marshall threw the ball as far as he could. Georgia had three defenders in the area and two of them looked ready to intercept it. But they collided with one another, popping the ball up in the air. Wide receiver Ricardo Lewis kept running and the ball fell right into his hands on his way to the end zone to give the Tigers a miraculous 43-38 win.