Georgia thought it had something go its way and could begin a comeback from a two-score deficit against Auburn.
A third-down pass from Jarrett Stidham was ruled incomplete upon replay review, and Georgia had Mecole Hardman set to return a punt and use his speed to give it improved field position to start the drive.
Seconds later, any hopes for a momentum change were squandered.
Auburn punter Aidan Marshall booted a lofty punt and Hardman tried to race under it and call a fair catch at the Bulldogs’ 23-yard-line. But as he tried to get his arms under the football, Hardman muffed it and Tigers’ linebacker Darrell Williams was at the bottom of the pile and came up with the recovery.