Georgia stymies Auburn after controversial goal-line fumble
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The Auburn Tigers suffered a controversial call at the goal line in the second quarter of their game against the No. 10 Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday night.
Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold tried to sneak into the end zone over offensive and defensive linemen when the ball was stripped from him by linebacker Raylen Wilson in the second quarter. Arnold was very close to the goal line before the ball was stolen.
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Georgia linebacker Raylen Wilson (5) knocks the ball from the hands of Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) as he dives toward the end zone during the first half of the NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Auburn, Alabama. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
A Georgia defender took the ball and was determined to return it for a touchdown, but the play ended. Officials determined that Arnold fumbled the ball before crossing the goal line. Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze was furious. Auburn athletic director John Cohen was seen berating officials as the team headed to the locker room at halftime.
It created controversy on social media.
Freeze talked about the post-match chaos.
“All you have to do is make the nose of the ball break the plane,” Freeze said. “It didn’t go the way we wanted.”
Arnold would have scored to give the Tigers a 16-0 lead, but a turnover triggered a Georgia comeback. The Bulldogs would keep the Tigers’ offense at bay for the remainder of the game. The team scored 20 unanswered points and won 20-10.
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze reacts to a call during the second half of the NCAA college football game against Georgia on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Auburn, Alabama. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
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“It’s a tale of two halves,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said. “Our kids never give up. I’m as proud of this team as I am of every other team.”
Arnold was 19-of-31 with 137 passing yards. He had 55 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Auburn had 278 yards of total offense and was penalized 11 times for 103 yards.
“It’s clear that we’re finding ways not to win football games, and that’s what needs to change,” Freeze said. “The locker room is a football team that is good enough to play and win games.”
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton was 24-of-37 with 217 passing yards and a rushing touchdown. Chauncey Bowens also scored a rushing goal.
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) carries the ball for a touchdown against Auburn during the second half of the NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Auburn, Alabama. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
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Georgia improved to 5-1 with the win. Auburn falls to 3-3.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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