Bulldogs keep Auburn's Lawson contained

Georgia head coach Mark Richt reacts about a call during the second half of an NCAA football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, in Auburn, Ala. Georgia won 20-13. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Georgia head coach Mark Richt reacts about a call during the second half of an NCAA football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, in Auburn, Ala. Georgia won 20-13. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

AUBURN, Ala. - Georgia had several methods of containing Auburn defensive end Carl Lawson, and they were all successful.

Lawson had one tackle in Saturday's 20-13 win by the Bulldogs. Combating him most of the time was sophomore left tackle Isaiah Wynn, who was starting for just the second time at that position.

"I felt like I contained him and that I contained him pretty well," Wynn said. "It wasn't just me. It was the whole offensive line, because (left guard) Kolton Houston was right there any time Lawson may have beaten me inside."

Wynn said he and Lawson talked between plays but not in a trashy sense.

"I just play with a big ol' smile," Wynn said.

Georgia coach Mark Richt said there were several plays called to have some "presence" on the edge.

"We had some tight ends running through the area where some great pass-rushers can beat you," Richt said. "We tried to make it where he had to go inside of that or way outside of that to have a chance. We respected him enough to have a game plan for him.

"Isaiah also had to do his thing, and he set firm down the middle and did a nice job."

The top three

The top three scorers in Southeastern Conference football history are now Georgia kickers.

Marshall Morgan moved into third place Saturday, passing former Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin, with a 40-yard field goal in the second quarter. Morgan made a 38-yarder in the fourth quarter and now has 391 points in his career.

Blair Walsh tallied 412 points in his 2008-11 Bulldogs career, topping the 409 that Billy Bennett amassed from 2000 to 2003.

"I didn't even know that," said Morgan, who is 60-of-78 in his career on field-goal tries. "That's sweet to be included with them."

Points were not overly plentiful Saturday, so Morgan had to make the most of his chances.

"It was a slow game for me," he said. "I would be at the kicking net, and I would kick it so many times thinking I was about to go in, and then I wouldn't. Usually I'm out there for more extra points and kickoffs, but I do like field goals, too, as long as we're staying ahead."

Sideline mishap

Bulldogs inside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler is not lacking for energy, but a celebratory outburst temporarily sidelined freshman defensive back Rico McGraw in the third quarter.

Ekeler congratulated several players after a defensive stop, including McGraw, whom he popped on the helmet. McGraw quickly bent over and was looked at by trainers on the sideline.

"He injured Rico?" Richt said. "I wish I didn't know that."

Odds and ends

Georgia redshirt junior tailback Keith Marshall was held out Saturday as the result of an ankle injury he suffered against Kentucky. Backup quarterback Brice Ramsey punted well again, averaging 46 yards on three attempts. Former Ridgeland High standout Devin Bowman did not make the trip for the Bulldogs, marking the fifth straight game in which the senior cornerback has not played. Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson set a school record by making his 14th consecutive field-goal try, which occurred with 1:14 remaining, and he has made all 84 extra-point attempts in his career.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

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