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.
10:34 4th quarter
Another Georgia touchdown! The Dawgs have now scored 28 unanswered points and lead 28-7.
12:12 4th quarter
Georgia forces a quick 3-and-out and gets the ball back on their own 25.
13:06 4th quarter
Fromm makes the Tigers pay for the turnover. Touchdown Georgia! Godwin snags the TD and the 2-point conversion.
13:58 4th quarter
Another HUGE play by the Georgia defense and the Dawgs are in business after the turnover.
Start of 4th quarter
The Dawgs lead 13-7 and this raucous UGA crowd can start to feel it.
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.
8:13 3rd quarter
Georgia blocks the Auburn FG attempt. Dawgs take over om their own 28.
Start of 3rd quarter
Georgia receives the opening kickoff.
Halftime
The Dawgs take a 10-7 lead into the half.
4:59 2nd quarter
UGA takes a 10-7 lead on a Blankenship FG.
10:14 2nd quarter
Georgia turns the turnover into points! Fromm to Nauta on a 2-yard touchdown.
13:04 2nd quarter
HUGE momentum swing for the Dawgs. Sack-fumble and Georgia recovers. Fromm takes over on their own 16.
End of 1st quarter
Not a great opening quarter for the Dawgs. Auburn leads 7-0 and is driving.
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.
9:54 1st quarter
Auburn strikes first. Stidham to Craig-Myers for a 6-yard TD on 3rd and goal. 7-0 Auburn.
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.
15:00 1st quarter
Auburn will receive the opening kickoff.
3:30 p.m.
There are massive crowds inside and outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Both Auburn and Georgia seem to be well represented.
2:45 p.m.
Georgia WR Javon Wims loosening up in ways 99.9% of people cannot.
2:30 p.m.
Some of the first Georgia Bulldogs have taken the field. They seem loose.