ATLANTA— The Georgia Bulldogs were having a hard time getting anything going against Texas, and with their quarterback crumpled on the field, there wasn’t much hope for a comeback. Here comes a man who has hardly played during his time in college.
Backup that is rarely utilized In Saturday’s SEC Championship Game, Gunner Stockton led No. 5 Georgia to an unlikely 22-19 overtime victory over the No. 2 Longhorns after coming off the bench in the second half due to Carson Beck’s injury.
In addition to winning their third SEC championship under coach Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs (11-2) also received a first-round bye in the new 12-team College Football Playoff. In an attempt to win its third national championship in four seasons, Georgia, who entered the game ranked fifth by the CFP, is now guaranteed to play in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal on New Year’s Day.
Amidst the falling confetti at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a delighted Smart declared, “This team never, ever says no.”
Texas (11-2) will host a first-round game on December 20 or 21 after being denied an SEC title crown to their inaugural season in the league. When the two dominant programs faced up in Austin during the regular season, the Bulldogs won 30–15, and it has lost both games.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian remarked, “This hurts.” However, in a few weeks, we will have the opportunity to reassemble, enter the College Football Playoff, and contend for a national title. We should be able to win that, in my opinion.
In the midst of the festivities, Georgia’s main concern was the condition of Beck, a two-year starter who was hurt on the last play of the first half. The degree of the damage would be determined by an MRI, according to Smart, who would only refer to it as a “upper extremity” injury.
As a third-year sophomore, Stockton had only participated in six games during his time in college, all of which were merely mop-ups of landslides. Before taking a brutal hit on a run in overtime that sent his helmet flying, he led the Bulldogs to a touchdown and two field goals.
“This child is a victor,” Smart declared. “This child is unique.”
Beck returned to the game for a first-and-goal at the four despite barely being able to raise his arm. To conclude the first overtime game in the 33-year history of the SEC championship, he only needed to pass the ball to Trevor Etienne, who sprinted into the end zone.
Following an eight-overtime, 44-42 triumph over Georgia Tech in the regular-season finale, Georgia went above and beyond regulation to win for the second consecutive week.
Especially after squandering its offensive lead, this one was even more delightful.
“We’re mentally exhausted, we’re exhausted, and we’re beaten up,” Smart stated. However, I’m not sure if I’ve ever had a team that is more mentally tough. They simply never stop coming. They never utter “die.”
During a crazy play in the first half, Beck attempted to throw one into the end zone but was taken down. After a scramble that resulted in a couple of laterals and a Georgia lineman being tackled with the ball, Trey Moore swatted the ball away with a blow to his right arm.
The fact that Beck held his throwing arm on the turf while teammates hovered over him was more worrisome for the Bulldogs. At last, he walked slowly to the changing room, but Smart informed him that his day was over.
Not exactly.
Stockton’s first-down rush ended with a blow that took off his helmet, forcing him to exit the game for at least one play after holding Texas to a field goal on the first possession of overtime.
The Bulldogs just needed one play from Beck.
Offensive lineman Tate Rutledge shared, “We were all pretty hyped when the play came in, and everyone realized it was Carson.”
Etienne powered up the center after taking Beck’s handoff. With his right arm dangling by his side, the injured quarterback celebrated by throwing up his left arm.
Despite throwing for 358 yards, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was sacked six times and had two interceptions, both by MVP winner Daylen Everette.
In the first half, the Longhorns led 260-54 in total yards, but they kept hurting themselves with penalties, eventually losing 6-3. A false start cost them a field goal, and they ended up with 11 flags for 94 yards.
