SEC Power Rankings: Alabama in class by themselves, LSU sliding fast

Nov 14, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Jovon Robinson (29) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Much like they did in each of their previous four losses this season, the Auburn Tigers had opportunities to beat Georgia Saturday but couldn’t get the job done in a 20-13 loss.

“Obviously in the second half, we didn’t get it done,” Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said afterwards according to the Associated Press. “Uncharacteristically we had the three turnovers. We’d been protecting the ball extremely well. Three turnovers are big.”

The first of those turnovers was a Jeremy Johnson interception – his seventh of the season, but the first since losing the starting job in Week 3. The third turnover was a Ricardo Louis fumble on the Georgia five-yard line as the Tigers were driving to cut a 20-10 deficit in the fourth quarter.

Johnson, who started his second straight game but split time with Sean White, was 14-for-22 for 61 yards and added 31 rushing yards. He was sacked once. Jovon Robinson led the team with 93 rushing yards on 12 carries and Peyton Barber added 72 yards on 13 attempts. Kerryon Johnson scored the only Auburn touchdown of the day on a seven-yard run as the Wildcat quarterback.

The Auburn defense was solid, and held Georgia to just 243 total yards of offense, but the Tigers punting unit allowed a 53-yard punt return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter that was the difference in the game.

Instead of building momentum for a strong finish to the second half of the season, the Tigers have now lost three of their last four games and need a victory over Idaho next week to secure bowl eligibility.

Next Game: Saturday November 21 vs. Idaho

Next: Texas A&M