WHAT AUBURN SAID: ‘[Isaiah McKenzie] had the ability to take it to the house. That was a big play in the game.’

AUBURN, Alabama — Following the loss to Georgia, here’s what Auburn had to say:

“That was a tough one today. I thought our defense played well. They held them to 243 yards. They have a lot of play makers on that side of the football. I thought our defense did a good job in the first half. Obviously, in the second half we didn’t get it done.”

-head coach Gus Malzahn’s opening statement

“We knew we were going to play both quarterbacks. We made that call before the game and just felt like that was good time to put him in there. We feel like we had some good opportunities in the passing game.”

-Malzahn on quarterback selection and Sean White’s three straight passes

“He wasn’t healthy enough to play. He wanted to, but he wasn’t healthy enough to go.”

-Malzahn on the health of Tray Matthews

“That is a big blow anytime you have your center making the calls and all of that. I thought Devonte Danzey stepped in and his snaps were good, and that is what you always worry about when you lose your center.”

-Malzahn on center Austin Golson going out of the game

“He is an electric guy. The punter was just trying to get out of there. He had a little bit of space and had a good cut and had the ability to take it to the house. That was a big play in the game.”

-Malzahn on Isaiah McKenzie’s punt return for a TD

“Well, we didn’t score a touchdown, and that is what it is about. We needed a touchdown.”

-Malzhan on fourth-quarter play calls

“They were definitely moving. Usually we would get five to six yards on those plays but they were flying around making plays.”

-quarterback Jeremy Johnson on Georgia’s defense

“They just won. It’s a disappointing loss. They just came out with the victory. We’ve just got to get better. With a game like this, a big rivalry, you always want to win this game. Unfortunately we came up short. All we can do is get better from this game.”

-Johnson on what went wrong

“I think we did really well, probably one of our better games. Everyone played their part. Everyone did what they had to do individually and it feels like it all comes from the preparation from practice.”

-linebacker Cassanova McKinzy on Auburn’s defense