Auburn may have won the game on the very first play of the game against Georgia, well before a 27-24 buzzer-beating win was sealed via a 34-yard Alex McPherson field goal. Tigers linebacker Elijah Melendez injured Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton enough after a five-yard designed quarterback run to have Stockton off his game for the rest of the 59-plus minutes.
Stockton had to be removed from the game but quickly returned. In his stead, UGA backup quarterback Ryan Puglisi came in and impressed with a few completions, including a 41-yard bomb to Craig Dandridge.
Stockton was never the same. He was picked off twice and relinquished the ball with just over a minute left in the game, with the score tied at 24, ultimately losing the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry game.
Dawgs head coach Kirby Smart confirmed after the game that Stockton had a stinger injury.
“He had a stinger in his shoulder, which numbs your shoulder,” Smart said during his presser. “But that happens a lot in football, and you come back from that. But they were checking him for a concussion and things. They checked him out and brought him back in and said he was cleared.”
Melendez was able to anchor the defensive effort, amassing nine tackles, a sack, and one of Stockton's interceptions in a dominant overall performance.
It was especially important after the events that transpired on the Plains in the week leading up to the Georgia game.
Elijah Melendez steps up big for Auburn without Xavier Atkins
Melendez was thought to be the team's co-defensive star alongside fellow linebacker Xavier Atkins. It's clear now that Melendez is the lone true alpha in the second level and on the entire defensive depth chart.
Atkins' suspension this past week was thought to be the death knell for the defense. Melendez made sure that wasn't so with his most timely performance ever while wearing Stormtrooper whites.
This team is clearly in good hands moving forward, even if Atkins never returns. On the chance that Atkins could come back after getting with the program, this could become an elite SEC unit.
Only time will tell on the Atkins front. Melendez has ascended, though. He just had his ultimate orange and blue moment.
If Stockton doesn't regain his form over the rest of the season, this was a season-changing performance from Melendez that affects the entire CFP picture.
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