Georgia's unexpected hero ensured Kirby Smart and Bulldogs were victorious over Texas in the SEC Championship
Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs are SEC Champions. It wasn't always pretty, and the offense struggled early, but Georgia emerged victorious over Texas with their quarterback of the future leading the way down the stretch.Gunner Stockton was forced into action after Carson Beck was hit awkwardly on a pass attempt just before halftime, injuring […]
Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs are SEC Champions. It wasn't always pretty, and the offense struggled early, but Georgia emerged victorious over Texas with their quarterback of the future leading the way down the stretch.
Gunner Stockton was forced into action after Carson Beck was hit awkwardly on a pass attempt just before halftime, injuring his shoulder. And despite all the pressure, the young Stockton rose to the occasion, leading multiple scoring drives to get Georgia to overtime, and then ultimately winning 22-19.
Kirby Smart was asked about Stockton immediately following the game on what he had to say to the young backup quarterback before he went in for the second half.
Kirby was emotional, and had to walk away before tearing up further saying, "I didn't say one word to him. Coach Bobo did, and all the coaches did. And he believed. This kid's a winner, man. This kid's special. He's a winner."
Gunner Stockton was up next, asked about how he was able to settle down and win the game he had this to say:
"I think it just goes back to the love I have for everybody in the locker room. Just all the seniors. I just wanted them to all go out in the right way…This is pretty awesome. It's just special, the guys we get to do it with."
And then of course, tight end Oscar Delp (and one of Stockton's roommates) had to chime in screaming, "He's a DAWG", there at the end. It was a beautiful SEC Championship moment.
But that was just the end result. After it was clear Beck was out for the game, the team knew they had to rally around a very inexperienced backup quarterback if they were going to have a chance, but apparently they didn't have many doubts. When Stockton was about to take his first snap, it was clear he had the support of the whole team, including his star running back Trevor Etienne as you can see in the post below.
Trevor Etienne leaned over, gave him a love tap and a quick word just before Oscar Delp ran across the formation in motion. And the Georgia offense was on their way, this half under some new management.
Gunner Stockton's mobility immediately changed the game for Georgia as he the Bulldogs stretched the edges with newfound quarterback mobility. Trevor Etienne ran for eight yards. Stockton completed a long play to Arian Smith on a third down on the first set of downs. Nate Frazier game in and logged a quick seven yards. Stockton ran the ball a couple times.
Then, mixed with the new threat of Gunner Stockton running the ball as well, in a 2nd & 1 situation Etienne ran the ball in for the first touchdown of the SEC Championship.
Stockton's first drive of the game had gone for 75 yards and a score. Georgia had managed less than 100 total yards of offense for the entire first half.
Stockton wasn't succeeding with impressive downfield passing all game, but he did complete 75% of his passes for 71 yards, keeping the offense on schedule. The next three drives following the touchdown went punt, field goal, field goal for Georgia as Stockton looked like he was going to be the easy hero and MVP for the Bulldogs.
Then of course he unfortunately tossed an interception trying to throw the ball away on a 3rd & long where Georgia could have simply scored another field goal had he not done so. Stockton's inexperience showed in the worst way at the worst time.
Texas went down and scored a field goal just before the end of regulation and it was off to overtime for the Longhorns and the Bulldogs. Texas managed just a field goal on their opening overtime drive so all Georgia had to do was score a touchdown and the SEC Championship was theirs.
Stockton completed three passes in a row to Oscar Delp and Dominic Lovett. Etienne ran it on the following first down for a couple yards. And then the play of the game happened. Stockton took the ball on a quarterback draw, did not attempt to slide to protect himself, gained eight yards, the first down inside the five yard line, and was hit so hard his helmet flew off.
Carson Beck came back in because Stockton had to take a seat for a play having just lost his helmet. Beck handed the rock off to Trevor Etienne, and Georgia won the game on the next play.
Stockton had done it.
He took Georgia all the way to the precipice of victory, but then somewhat poetically passed the baton back to Beck to finish things off. Even if the passing of the baton was out of Stockton's control due to the massive hit that left him a bit wobbly and without his helmet, it was still an incredible moment for the leader of the Georgia football team to be able to step back on to the field for the ultimate moment of victory, winning the SEC Championship.
After the game in his presser, Kirby Smart was asked about Gunner Stockton again:
"Incredible. The players believe in Gunner. They love Gunner. The juice that he brought. The passion and energy–and he lives with three or four of those guys–it gave us an added boost of energy. They were fired up. They were trying to keep him composed. I thought that the offensive staff did a good job helping Gunner out the way they called the game…That kid played tough as nails…He's a phenomenal leader…and I think everybody rose up around him."
Kirby Smart loves him some Gunner Stockton. The whole team loves him. It doesn't seem like it's going to matter which quarterback leads the Bulldogs into the College Football Playoff. They're ready to beat anyone with either quarterback at the helm.
And the beauty beyond this season is that Stockton is obviously the future at quarterback. The team is ready for him to take the reins whenever the appropriate time comes, and apparently Stockton is too.
We'll be back with more Georgia Bulldogs coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
If you want to see Kirby Smart's full post-game press conference following the win you can check out that video below! Enjoy!
