Miracle pass leads Auburn to stunning win over Georgia

Remember Saturday if Auburn goes on to beat Alabama and then wins the national title.

Remember the throw, the tip and the catch.

Remember how it never should have happened.

Remember that Auburn improved to 10-1 on a Hail Mary that rivals Doug Flutie’s heave on the day after Thanksgiving in 1984.

Yes, Auburn defeated Georgia, 43-38, at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

It took one of the most improbable plays in the history of college football.

Georgia had Auburn pinned at fourth and 18 on its own 27 when quarterback Nick Marshall let fly a desperate pass down the middle.

The ball was so underthrown two Georgia defenders, Josh Harvey-Clemons and Tray Matthews, could have had a picnic before deciding which player would knock it down.

Instead, Harvey-Clemons tipped the ball away from Matthews into the waiting arms of Auburn receiver Ricardo Louis, who raced for the game-winning touchdown on a 73-yard play.

Georgia (6-4) had fought back to take the lead on Aaron Murray’s five-yard scoring run, on fourth down, with 1 minute 49 seconds left.

Georgia, which came five yards short of defeating Alabama in last year’s Southeastern Conference title game, came up short again.

Auburn’s improbable win sets up its home showdown in two Saturdays against Alabama.

Under first-year coach Gus Malzahn, Auburn has improved from 3-9 into a national title contender.

Auburn finished 0-8 in SEC play last year.

This is the kind of victory that can define seasons.

You need skill and luck to win championships in college football, and Auburn on Saturday had both.

“He’s got the ‘it’ factor,” Malzahn said on CBS of Marshall, his quarterback. “He has the ability to make plays when others can’t.”

In this case, the “others” who couldn’t played defense for Georgia.

ALSO:

Auburn narrowly avoids upset against Georgia, 43-38

Ohio State ties school record with 22nd consecutive victory

Central Florida needs great catch to escape with win at Temple