ATLANTA — Shaking off a blowout loss to Auburn just three weeks ago, Jake Fromm threw two touchdown passes and No. 6 Georgia made its bid for a spot in the College Football Playoff with a 28-7 victory over the No. 4 Tigers in the Southeastern Conference championship game Saturday.
[PHOTOS: Bulldogs celebrate after winning the SEC Championship]
Auburn (10-3) was the hottest team in the country, rolling into Atlanta after wins over Georgia and then-No. 1 Alabama in its last three games. But the Tigers were stymied by two crucial turnovers, a blocked field goal and a Georgia team eager to make up for its embarrassing 40-17 defeat on the Plains .
[PHOTOS: Georgia and Auburn battle in the SEC Championship]
Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and freshman D'Andre Swift provided a much more effective running game for Georgia than the first meeting, which opened up things for the freshman quarterback. Fromm completed 16 of 22 passes for 183 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown to Isaac Nauta in the second quarter and a 6-yarder to Terry Godwin with just over 13 minutes remaining that essentially sealed Georgia's victory.
[PHOTOS: Fans, teams arrive for SEC Championship game]
The Bulldogs claimed their first SEC title since 2005 and capped an impressive rise in Kirby Smart's second season as coach. Georgia went 8-5 a year ago, but Nick Saban's former defensive coordinator insisted he was establishing a culture that would return the team to national prominence.
What's next for the Bulldogs? UGA will likely head to either the Rose Bowl or Sugar Bowl to play in a semifinal game, looking to take another step toward the team's first national title since 1980.
Here's a minute-by-minute look at the game from Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein:
Final: The Georgia Bulldogs win the SEC Championship game, beating Auburn 28 to 7.
Jake Fromm postgame interviewWATCH: Georgia Bulldogs QB Jake Fromm talks about leading the University of Georgia to the Southeastern Conference Championship! (PHOTOS: 2wsb.tv/2BCsTdE)
Posted by WSB-TV on Saturday, December 2, 2017
10:34 4th quarter
Another Georgia touchdown! The Dawgs have now scored 28 unanswered points and lead 28-7.
Final 4 bound... pic.twitter.com/SvVO5NjJyj
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 3, 2017
12:12 4th quarter
Georgia forces a quick 3-and-out and gets the ball back on their own 25.
Since opening drive when they scored a TD.. Auburn:
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
PUNT
FUMBLE
PUNT
PUNT
MISSED FG
PUNT
FUMBLE
PUNT pic.twitter.com/ayb052CeTG
13:06 4th quarter
Fromm makes the Tigers pay for the turnover. Touchdown Georgia! Godwin snags the TD and the 2-point conversion.
4-plays after fumble..Terry Godwin with the 7-yard TD.. then the 2-point conversion..
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
21-straight points for UGA
21-7.. 13:06 left in game
13:58 4th quarter
Another HUGE play by the Georgia defense and the Dawgs are in business after the turnover.
MVP.. so far..
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
Roquan Smith..
13 tackles.. 10 solo.. fumble recovery.. 1 sack.. 2 tackles for loss pic.twitter.com/bLQ3In6fph
Start of 4th quarter
The Dawgs lead 13-7 and this raucous UGA crowd can start to feel it.
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
1:26 3rd quarter
Blankenship's second FG of the day gives Georgia a 13-7 lead.
4:48 3rd quarter
After punts on each side, Georgia has the ball starting at their own 20.
Since going 75 yards on their opening drive for a TD..
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
Auburn has been shutout by UGA and totaled 140-yards over their last 6-drives pic.twitter.com/1h4e7NrAzM
8:13 3rd quarter
Georgia blocks the Auburn FG attempt. Dawgs take over om their own 28.
Blocked!! pic.twitter.com/RViy9B9axz
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
Start of 3rd quarter
Georgia receives the opening kickoff.
Halftime
The Dawgs take a 10-7 lead into the half.
Halftime..
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
🐶 10
🐯 7
UGA gets ball 1st to start 2nd half
4:59 2nd quarter
UGA takes a 10-7 lead on a Blankenship FG.
#UGA takes first lead..
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
Rodrigo with 27-yard FG
10-7 pic.twitter.com/1PinpI9ED6
10:14 2nd quarter
Georgia turns the turnover into points! Fromm to Nauta on a 2-yard touchdown.
We have a ballgame..
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
Fromm to Nauta..
13:04 2nd quarter
HUGE momentum swing for the Dawgs. Sack-fumble and Georgia recovers. Fromm takes over on their own 16.
Fumble.. @DavinBellamy17 forces it,.. UGA recovers on 16 yard line
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
End of 1st quarter
Not a great opening quarter for the Dawgs. Auburn leads 7-0 and is driving.
End of 1 here at @MBStadium
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
7-0 🐯 pic.twitter.com/YzqWLtGACy
6:16 1st quarter
Georgia picks up a few first downs but eventually stalls on its first possession of the game and is forced to punt. Auburn takes over on their own 25.
Going to be a long day if UGA keeps finding themselves in 3rd and long #UGA2ATL
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
9:54 1st quarter
Auburn strikes first. Stidham to Craig-Myers for a 6-yard TD on 3rd and goal. 7-0 Auburn.
Stidham can flat out ball (4-4, 28-yds, TD)... dude has zip and accurate..Impressive opening drive for Auburn..
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
7-0 pic.twitter.com/tvk2MXt7re
12:30 1st quarter
Auburn is driving. Georgia had the chance to get off the field 3-and-out but a pass interference call extended the drive.
Flag thrown by ref 25-yards behind the play..
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
15:00 1st quarter
Auburn will receive the opening kickoff.
Leggo.....#UGA2ATL pic.twitter.com/I9jEkNTMCy
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
3:30 p.m.
There are massive crowds inside and outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Both Auburn and Georgia seem to be well represented.
Looooooots of red waiting to get in#UGA2ATL pic.twitter.com/1wzTykc0Gp
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
2:45 p.m.
Georgia WR Javon Wims loosening up in ways 99.9% of people cannot.
My boy @Javon_Juice has some serious ups 👀 #UGA2ATL pic.twitter.com/U3smdllfFQ
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
2:30 p.m.
Some of the first Georgia Bulldogs have taken the field. They seem loose.
Look out @ATLUTD - @Javon_Juice & @TerryGodwin_4 coming for ya#UGA2ATL pic.twitter.com/6OVSidlQXq
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 2, 2017
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