Inside Terry Godwin’s touchdown catch that changed the dynamic of Georgia’s win

Terry Godwin stood at the 50-yard-line and engaged in full celebration of his 39-yard touchdown catch that served as a significant swing of momentum in Georgia’s 27-10 win over Auburn.

He was chatting with Auburn linebacker Montavious Atkinson and after going through the play in a motion-by-motion sequence, Godwin was embraced by the opposing defender and freshman wide receiver Anthony Schwartz later joined in.

“That was crazy,” Atkinson said. “You’re out there doing your thing.”

It was the catch that changed the landscape of the Bulldogs’ victory. Georgia had done the same as it had throughout the season — run the 2-minute drill at the end of the half and try to score.

This drive, however, stalled out and Georgia had a choice to make at the 37-yard-line. With about 29 seconds left in the half, Georgia could’ve punted or entrusted place-kicker Rodrigo Blankenship to hit what would’ve been a 54-yard field goal. In either scenario, Auburn would’ve had a possession.

So, Georgia went with an empty backfield and went for it.

“It was kind of a weird field position — either kick, punt or go for it,” Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm said. “I was just waiting for a play call, and I’m glad it was that one.”

It was something Georgia had worked on throughout practice — the exact play against the exact opposing coverage. The Bulldogs had studied Auburn’s tendencies and knew it would probably occur based on the situation.

But on the headset between Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Jim Chaney was a discussion based on four scenarios across college football in film study. There had been four teams who had mismanaged the clock to kick a field goal, and the Bulldogs had a decision to make in order to avoid it.

“We felt like we could milk the clock and if we went for it, we were going to kick a field goal. If we didn’t, they wouldn’t have much time left,” Smart said. “We tried to put them in a vise. I was looking to get a field goal but we hit a big play.”

When Fromm took the snap, he found Godwin on an option route. Throughout the course of the game, Godwin had already established himself as a go-to target with two previous receptions in the half.

Fromm saw Godwin open, and the sophomore quarterback’s first fear was that he would overthrow his target. It was the “hardest pass” of the night, Fromm said, but there was nothing abnormal about it on the other end.

“It felt just like it did in practice. I knew once I caught it, no one was going to be around me and it would be between just me and the end zone. That’s what happened.” Godwin had plenty of space ahead of him, and Auburn defensive back Jamal Peters served as the only potential obstacle. Georgia had taken a risk, and those players observing from the sideline wanted to ensure it would work.

It was a 4th-and-2 play, but there was only one answer when Godwin broke free. “He better run,” Georgia defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter thought to himself.

Godwin did cross the pylon, a raucous Sanford Stadium crowd got a notch louder and Georgia was suddenly in a good spot.

Smart said if the play didn’t work, then the two consecutive times that Georgia had been stopped at the goal line would’ve been a greater concern. Rather than entering the locker room with a 3-point lead against an Auburn offense that didn’t cool off until after the half, the lead was two possessions.

From then on, it was a lead Georgia didn’t relinquish, and it was that catch that gave a definitive momentum swing.

“We had to put the fire out,” cornerback Deandre Baker said. “Auburn came out with good plays on defense and they had the momentum, so we just had to shut them out, put the fire out.”