ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Trevor Etienne ran for two touchdowns as No. 5 Georgia bounced back from its first regular-season loss in almost four years with a workmanlike 31-13 victory over struggling Auburn on Saturday.
The Bulldogs (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) made it eight straight wins in the Deep South's oldest rivalry, but it was more of a struggle than expected for the team that began the season ranked No. 1 and favored to win its third national championship in four years. That goal is still within reach, but Georgia didn't wrack up a lot of style points against the offensively challenged Tigers (2-4, 0-3), who have dropped six consecutive games against Power Four opponents.
Etienne scored on a 2-yard run to cap Georgia's opening possession, and he added a 1-yard scoring plunge late in the third quarter that led to conflicting calls. One official ruled him down, another said he crossed the goal line — if only by an inch or two. The TD call was upheld after a lengthy video review.
Etienne finished with 88 yards on 16 carries. The Bulldogs put the game away with Carson's Beck second touchdown pass of the game, a 3-yard strike to Dillon Bell early in the fourth quarter. Jarquez Hunter scored Auburn's lone touchdown, breaking a tackle near the line and sprinting 38 yards to the end zone to slice Georgia's lead to 14-10.
But the Tigers didn't have enough firepower to seriously challenge the Bulldogs. Georgia was coming off a gut-wrenching 41-34 loss at No. 1 Alabama .
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