Georgia blocks Auburn after controversial goal-line fumble

The Auburn Tigers were the subject of a controversial goal-line call in the second quarter of their game against the No. 10 Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday night.

Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold attempted to sneak into the end zone over a pile of offensive and defensive linemen in the second quarter when the ball was forced out of his hands by linebacker Raylen Wilson. Arnold was very close to the goal line before the fumble was called.

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Georgia linebacker Raylen Wilson (5) knocks the ball out of the hands of Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) as he dives for the end zone during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Auburn, Alabama. (AP Photo/Dill Butch)

A Georgia defender recovered the ball and was determined to return it for a touchdown, but the play was called off. Officials determined that Arnold fumbled the ball before crossing the goal line. Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze was angry. Auburn athletic director John Cohen was seen berating officials as the team entered the locker room for halftime.

This sparked a debate on social media.

Freeze talked about the fumble after the game.

“All you have to do is make the nose of the bullet break the plane,” Freeze said. “It didn’t go our way.”

Arnold would have given the Tigers a 16-0 lead with the score, but the turnover helped spark a Georgia comeback. The Bulldogs would keep the Tigers offense at bay for the rest 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 an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Auburn, Alabama. (AP Photo/Dill Butch)

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“A tale of two halves,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said. “Our kids never give up. I’m as proud of this team as any other team.”

Arnold was 19 of 31 with 137 passing yards. He totaled 55 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Auburn totaled 278 yards on offense and was penalized 11 times for 103 yards.

“It’s very clear that we’re finding ways to not win football games, and that’s what needs to change,” Freeze said. “This locker room is a good enough football team to play the games and win the games.”

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton finished 24 of 37 with 217 passing yards and a rushing touchdown. Chauncey Bowens also had a rushing touchdown.

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) carries the ball for a touchdown against Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Auburn, Alabama. (AP Photo/Dill Butch)

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Georgia improved to 5-1 with the win. Auburn fell to 3-3.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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