Before backup Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton became the unlikely hero as the Bulldogs edged out Texas 22-19 to claim the SEC Championship, he took an Earth-shattering hit that knocked off his helmet, and coach Kirby Smart couldn’t hide his emotion about the moment after the game.
Smart, who rarely lets his emotions show, was visibly choked up in the postgame interview. “I didn’t say one word to him. He believed,” Smart said, pausing as his voice cracked. “This kid’s a winner. This kid’s special. He’s a winner.”
Smart then quickly stepped away, letting Stockton soak in the glory of leading his team to a conference title.
- Injured Carson Beck leads Georgia to SEC win in ‘movie script’ ending vs. Texas
- Steve Sarkisian fumes directly into camera as Texas coach rages at Georgia complaint
In overtime with Georgia trailing by three on a paramount second-and-eight, Stockton called his own number and raced directly up the middle of the field for an eight-yard gain. The play ended with Stockton taking a vicious hit that not only sent his helmet flying nearly a yard away but also left him clutching the ball as he pushed Georgia into scoring position.
The sophomore stepped in for starting quarterback Carson Beck, who left the game with a hand injury that happened during the last play before halftime. Beck was sacked by Longhorns edge rusher Trey Moore mid-throw, turning the spotlight to Stockton who only appeared in three games for the team this season. His season totals for the year are 135 yards without a touchdown and a 64 QBR, slightly below the average of 57.96 for the nation’s top 100.
Stockton finished his performance with 71 yards and an interception thrown late in the fourth quarter, which came in succession following Quinn Ewers’ second interception in the game. Both of the costly turnovers were to Bulldogs junior cornerback Daylen Everette. Everette dominated with two tackles, a pass breakup, and two INTs in the game. He had a forced fumble and fumble recovery against the Longhorns in the 30-15 regular season win in October, when the Longhorns were the No. 1 ranked team in the country.
Stockton was Georgia’s hero on Saturday (
Getty Images)
Stockton’s physical toughness set up the game-winning touchdown that secured the win. After taking the hit, he was taken out of the game for a returning Beck, who came in just to hand the ball off to Trevor Etienne for a four-yard game-winning rushing TD. The win kept the Bulldogs’ playoff hopes alive and marked the third SEC title for Smart with the program since 2017.
“The love I have for everybody in the locker room. All the seniors and wanting them to go out the right way,” said Stockton when explaining his preparation for the moment.
The moment was even more special for Stockton as a Tiger, Georgia native, a town just a one-hour-and-22-minute drive away from where the Bulldogs play in Athens. “This is pretty awesome,” he continued before being greeted by his teammates in celebration.
Leave a Reply