Sports
Sports

Watch: The wildest game in Georgia-Auburn history

Georgia beat Auburn 56-49 in four overtimes in 1996. The game was made even more memorable by Georgia’s mascot UGA V trying to take a chunk out of an Auburn player after a touchdown. UGA coach Jim Donnan benched Mike Bobo and started Brian Smith at QB. Georgia was 3-5 at the time and had just lost to Florida 47-7. Georgia trailed by 21 in the second quarter and by 14 points at halftime. Bobo came in and was 21 for 37 for 360 yards, with two TDs and no interceptions. The Bulldogs’ Robert Edwards had
By Mike Luck
Dec 1, 2017

There’s been a lot of wild games in the Georgia-Auburn series. But the 1996 game may never be topped. Four overtimes, 105 points, 21-point comebacks, 1,095 yards of offense -- and it is the only game in the series that included a dog trying to bite a player.

The Bulldogs upset the Tigers 56-49. In the first quarter, Georgia’s mascot UGA V lunged at an Auburn player who’d just scored a touchdown.

The schools meet again Saturday in the SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart played in the 1996 game.

Click on the video above to look back at the memorable game 21 years ago.

Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs are getting ready to play the Auburn Tigers Saturday afternoon in Atlanta

About the Author

Mike Luck is an Audience Specialist on the sports team at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has worked at the AJC since 1980.

More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (right) reacts with her teammate, guard Rhyne Howard, after a basket during the second half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Atlanta.  (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Season on the line as Dream brace for elimination game vs. Fever

A victory would secure the Dream’s first playoff series win since 2016 and a return to the semifinals for the first time since 2018.

Fever defeat Dream to even series, 77-60

‘Whole new ballgame’: Dream’s defense cools down Fever in Game 1 win

Second and fourth quarters prove to be the difference in first playoff win in seven years.

The Latest

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar (7) hits an RBI single to score Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) during the third inning of a baseball game at Truist Park, Tuesday, September 9, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Atlanta TV sports listings

1h ago

Season on the line as Dream brace for elimination game vs. Fever

Fever defeat Dream to even series, 77-60

Featured

The city of Atlanta opened Azalea Fresh Market downtown to help residents find affordable groceries. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Metro Atlanta consumers grapple with higher prices on food, other goods

Inflation recently reached its highest level this year, with prices increasing for food, housing and other necessities.

Raffensperger, who rebuffed Trump in 2020, runs for Georgia governor

He was the Republican who told Donald Trump no. Now the secretary of state is telling Georgia voters he wants to be their next governor.

South Georgia football coach resigns after 0-5 start

Wayne County’s John Mohring resigned Tuesday afternoon, becoming the third GHSA football coach to step down since the season began.