ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Trevor Etienne scored two touchdowns as No. 5 Georgia bounced back from its first regular-season loss in nearly four years with a workmanlike 31-13 victory over struggling Auburn on Saturday.

The Bulldogs (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) rattled off eight straight wins in the Deep South’s oldest rivalry, but it was tougher than expected for the team that was ranked No. 1 at the start of the season and hoping for victory Third national championship in four years.

That goal is still within reach, but Georgia hasn’t racked up many style points against them the offensively challenged Tigers (2-4, 0-3), which has lost six straight games to Power Four opponents.

Etienne scored on a 2-yard run to cap Georgia’s first possession and added a 1-yard scoring jump This led to conflicting calls at the end of the third quarter. One official dismissed it, another said it crossed the goal line – if only by an inch or two. The TD call was confirmed after a detailed video review.

Etienne finished with 88 yards on 16 carries.

The Bulldogs tied the game with Carson’s Beck’s second touchdown pass of the game. a 3-yard strike to Dillon Bell Early in the fourth quarter.

Jarquez Hunter scored Auburn’s only touchdown by breaking a tackle near the line and sprinting 38 yards to the end zone to cut Georgia’s lead to 14-10. But the Tigers didn’t have enough firepower to seriously challenge the Bulldogs.

Georgia got away a heartbreaking 41-34 loss at No. 1 Alabama. The Bulldogs fell behind 30-7 at halftime, rallied to take the lead late in the game, but then allowed a 75-yard touchdown pass that secured the win for the Crimson Tide.

Georgia’s final drive in Tuscaloosa ended with Beck throwing an interception in the end zone, one of four turnovers – three picks and a fumble – by the Bulldogs’ fifth-year quarterback. He also gave up a safety when called for an intentional grounding throw out of the end zone.

Beck had no major errors against Auburn, completing 23 of 29 for 240 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown pass to Dominic Lovett.

The takeaway food

Auburn: The Tigers stayed competitive for most of the game, but their lack of offense eventually caught up with them. The defense ran out of steam after struggling quarterback Payton Thorne was thrown for a 1-yard loss on a fourth-and-1 at the Auburn 44, which was virtually the visiting team’s last attempt. Thorne passed for over 200 yards and had no interceptions, which was a step in the right direction. His numbers would have been even better if Malcom Simmons hadn’t thrown a sure-fire touchdown pass.

Georgia: After Alabama’s 42-game regular-season winning streak was snapped, the Bulldogs were eager for an impressive performance. Their performance was solid but hardly dominant, which again raises the question of whether this team is as strong as Kirby Smart’s squad of the last three seasons. There’s still a lot of room for improvement with huge road games coming up against Texas and Ole Miss. The defense suffered a blow when lineman Christen Miller left the game with a left knee injury.

Next

Auburn: The Tigers are off next week and return Oct. 19 with another road game at No. 9 Missouri, a team expected to fall in the rankings after a 41-10 loss at No. 25 Texas A&M.

Georgia: Host Mississippi State in an SEC game next Saturday.

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