No. 2/2/2 Football falls to No. 5/5/7 Georgia in overtime

Saturday, December 7

Atlanta, Ga.

3 p.m. CT

University of Texas

11-2 , 7-1

Georgia

11-2 , 6-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Georgia

Texas

No. 2/2/2 Football falls to No. 5/5/7 Georgia in overtime

12.07.2024 | Football

Box Score

After Texas dominates first half, Georgia rallies during second half to earn overtime victory

By: Chris Allen Brown

ATLANTA, Ga. – Looking to win its first SEC championship in their first season in the league, the second-ranked Texas Longhorns were on the wrong side of the final score at the conclusion of Saturday's SEC Championship as the fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs scored a 4-yard rushing touchdown during the first overtime period to earn the 22-19 victory.

During a first half that was largely dominated by Texas (11-2), the Longhorns managed to take only a 6-3 lead into the locker rooms for halftime despite outgaining the Georgia (11-2) offense 260 to 54. The Longhorn defense blanked the Bulldogs during the first quarter as UGA became the fifth consecutive opponent – and 10th this season – to fail to score a point during the game's opening 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, Bert Auburn gave Texas a first-quarter lead when the senior place kicker connected on a 41-yard field goal attempt with 5:17 remaining in the quarter. The kick was the 61st made field goal of Auburn's career, moving him pass Cameron Dicker (2018-21) for the top spot on the program's career made field goal list. The Flower Mound, Texas native went on to add another made field goal to his career total when he booted through a 42-yarder less than five minutes into the second quarter.

It wasn't until 6:41 remained in the first half that Georgia put points on the board as Peyton Woodring connected on a 44-yard field goal attempt. The field goal sparked a 13-point run for the Bulldogs that stretched nearly the entirety of the third quarter as Woodring capped the run with a 24-yard field goal with 16 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

After having just 16 yards of total offense and two first downs throughout the 15-minute third quarter, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers quickly re-routed the ship less than 70 seconds into the fourth quarter as the Southlake, Texas native connected with DeAndre Moore, Jr., for a 41-yard touchdown to tie the game 13-13. Georgia responded by draining the clock from 13:54 to 4:32 with a 16-play, 72-yard drive that took 9:22 off the clock and was capped with a Woodring 21-yard field goal to push the Bulldogs ahead 16-13.

Following an interception by each quarterback, the Texas offense took the field, trailing by three with 2:30 left in the game. Ewers and the Longhorns went 47 yards on 11 plays before settling for a 37-yard field goal from Auburn with 18 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game 16-16.

Starting on offense first during its first overtime game of the season, Texas moved the ball 10 yards on six plays before Auburn pushed the Longhorns ahead, 19-16, on a 32-yard field goal, his fourth make on the day.

Much like Texas, the Georgia offense ran six plays during the overtime period as well, but Trevor Etienne found his way into the end zone from four yards out to end the game.

UP NEXT

Texas will learn its postseason fate on Sunday, Dec. 8, when the College Football Playoff selection committee releases its final top 25 rankings along with the entire 12-team bracket during the College Football Playoff selection show beginning at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN.

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