AUBURN, Ala. – The all-purpose yards were racking up Saturday afternoon for Georgia sophomore receiver Mecole Hardman.
Then one play soured his day.
Hardman had 169 all-purpose yards against Auburn during the first half alone, but his first opportunity of the second half resulted in a fumbled punt return that the Tigers recovered at Georgia’s 23-yard line. Auburn scored four plays later on a 7-yard keeper by quarterback Jarrett Stidham, extending its advantage to 23-7 in the eventual 40-17 surprise cakewalk.
“I tried fair-catching it, but there was a crazy spin on the ball,” Hardman said. “I thought I had it, but it went straight through my hands and they got it. It was a big momentum play for them, and that’s my fault.
“I should have caught the ball. I should have looked it all the way in.”