Kirby Smart was clearly in denial with Gunner Stockton as Georgia loses in College Football Playoff
Kirby Smart spent much of this past week pumping up his young new starting quarterback Gunner Stockton. And it's understandable, he needs to inspire confidence in his young leader who was forced into action due to Carson Beck's season-ending injury.However, it sure seemed like Kirby Smart was clearly in denial with Stockton. There was a […]
Kirby Smart spent much of this past week pumping up his young new starting quarterback Gunner Stockton. And it's understandable, he needs to inspire confidence in his young leader who was forced into action due to Carson Beck's season-ending injury.
However, it sure seemed like Kirby Smart was clearly in denial with Stockton. There was a huge drop off in success from Beck when Notre Dame had a full 10 days to prepare for the new quarterback and Smart simply didn't want to face that harsh reality.
Kirby Smart talked through the top three things that he believes make a good quarterback and claimed adamantly that Stockton possessed all of those strengths heading into the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals:
"The number one thing a quarterback has to have is decision making skill. Number one he makes good decisions. Number two thing for a quarterback is accuracy. Not necessarily arm talent, but accuracy. [Gunner Stockton] has accuracy…Athletic ability and talent probably takes over third. He has those strengths.
The decision-making and accuracy weren't there consistently against Notre Dame, but Stockton's athleticism and raw talent were certainly apparent throughout the night. The velocity that he put on the ball. The mobility and strength. Stockton clearly had the "want-to" and physical gifts. He just couldn't put it all together against Notre Dame's tough defense.
While he didn't throw any interceptions, Stockton's complete lack of awareness led to two unnecessary fumbles, one of which he lost deep in Georgia territory, leading to a Notre Dame score.
But it wasn't just the fumbles and negative plays likely related to his inexperience. Even on some positive breaks for Georgia Stockton was actually still missing on his passes. As you can see on the play below, Stockton under-threw his target horribly, but Georgia was gifted with a free pass interference call.
It wasn't all bad from Stockton as he did hit wide receiver Arian Smith on his one accurate deep ball of the game for 67 yards. His sideline ball to Cash Jones was nice. And he did play tough (like he always does), but ultimately it was clear that Stockton's abilities were a huge drop off from Carson Beck. Notre dame had 10 days to prep for him and it showed.
Yes, Dillon Bell, Dominic Lovett, and perhaps another receiver or two dropped some balls throughout the game. Yes, the running game could have been better to help support Stockton. But Coach Smart was obviously a bit too bullish on Stockton heading into the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals.
Kirby Smart and the entire team were high on Gunner Stockton's "intangibles" and leadership (as they talked about for weeks). The Bulldogs obviously play hard for him and he may end up being the quarterback of the future, but he just simply wasn't ready yet against Notre Dame.
Hopefully Stockton can continue taking huge steps forward this off-season so Georgia can get back to the 2025 College Football Playoff too.
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