Malzahn: Roughing-the-kicker penalty hurt

A roughing-the-kicker penalty against Auburn in the second quarter kept alive a Georgia drive and, according to Tigers coach Gus Malzahn, turned into one of the pivotal plays of the game.

Rather than giving Auburn the ball via a punt from the Georgia 32-yard line, the Bulldogs’ offense got a reprieve on the penalty and continued toward a 14-play, 66-yard drive that culminated with a Marshall Morgan field goal and a 17-7 Georgia lead.

“We sort of ran into (Georgia punter Collin Barber), and they scored right after that,” Malzahn said. “I think that was a big play.”