McPherson’s last-second kick gives Auburn a 27-24 upset of No. 1 Georgia

Alex McPherson kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired Saturday, giving Auburn a 27-24 win at No. 1 Georgia after the Bulldogs handed the Tigers a final possession with a fumble near midfield.

Georgia had erased a 10-point deficit and forced an Auburn punt with the score tied. Gunner Stockton then moved the Bulldogs into Auburn territory, where Cody Sigler forced a fumble and Sylvester Smith-Reed recovered with 58 seconds left.

That was enough time for Auburn to take the game back. Jeremiah Cobb opened the possession with a 12-yard run. Byrum Brown added two five-yard carries before a roughing-the-passer penalty against Gabe Harris Jr. moved the Tigers to Georgia’s 19. Brown ran three more yards, and McPherson delivered the winning kick after a timeout with three seconds remaining.

Auburn’s official account shared McPherson’s finish:

Brown helps Auburn climb out of an early hole

The Tigers had trailed 14-0 in the first quarter. Dwight Phillips Jr. scored on a 15-yard run, and Stockton found Lawson Luckie for a 24-yard touchdown to put Georgia firmly in front.

Auburn answered with a different passer. Christian Neptune threw a 24-yard touchdown to Keshaun Singleton late in the first quarter. Brown’s nine-yard scoring pass to Chas Nimrod tied it in the second, and McPherson’s 49-yard field goal gave the Tigers a 17-14 halftime lead.

Brown stretched that advantage with a five-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He finished with 150 passing yards and a touchdown, plus 115 yards and another score on 26 carries. Cobb contributed 61 rushing yards, and Nimrod caught six passes for 60 yards.

The Tigers ran for 192 yards and converted both of their fourth-down attempts. They also finished without a turnover, an especially valuable advantage in a game Georgia had chances to win late.

Georgia’s comeback ends with another turnover

Peyton Woodring’s 42-yard field goal brought Georgia within seven early in the fourth quarter. Stockton then led a 94-yard touchdown drive, finding London Humphreys from four yards out to tie the score with 2:58 remaining.

The Bulldogs finished with 440 total yards to Auburn’s 366. Stockton threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions before losing the decisive fumble. Auburn’s Elijah Melendez and Anquon Fegans supplied the interceptions.

Georgia fell to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the SEC. Auburn improved to 4-2 and 2-2, leaving Athens with a win that had looked remote after the Bulldogs’ fast start.

ESPN’s full game highlights show the early deficit, Auburn’s response and the final kick: