The Georgia Bulldogs were struggling against Texas, and things looked even worse when their quarterback was injured on the field. But then, a backup who had barely played stepped in.
Gunner Stockton, who had little experience in college football, came off the bench in the second half after Carson Beck got hurt and helped No. 5 Georgia achieve a surprising 22-19 overtime win against No. 2 Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Saturday.
This win gave Georgia (11-2) its third SEC title under coach Kirby Smart, along with an even bigger prize — a first-round bye in the new 12-team College Football Playoff.
Although Georgia was ranked fifth in the CFP rankings before the game, the win secured their spot in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal game on New Year’s Day, where they will play as the No. 2 seed in pursuit of their third national title in four seasons.
“This team never, ever says no,” Smart said happily while confetti fell around him at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Texas (11-2, No. 2 CFP) didn’t get the SEC title to wrap up its first season in the league, and now it will host a first-round playoff game on December 20 or 21. Both of their losses this season were to the Bulldogs, who had won the earlier meeting 30-15 in Austin.
“This stings,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “But we get a chance to regroup in a couple weeks and get into the College Football Playoff and go compete for a national championship. I think we’re plenty good enough to go win that.”
The big question for Georgia after the game was the health of Beck, the two-year starter who was injured while trying to throw the ball on the final play of the first half. Smart said Beck had an “upper extremity” injury, and they would need an MRI to figure out how serious it was.
Stockton, a third-year sophomore who had only played in six games, led the Bulldogs to a touchdown and two field goals. However, he took a tough hit during overtime, knocking his helmet off.
“This kid is a winner,” Smart said. “This kid is special.”
Beck, unable to lift his arm, returned to the game for a first-and-goal play at the 4-yard line. He only needed to hand off the ball to Trevor Etienne, who ran into the end zone for the winning touchdown, ending the first-ever overtime game in SEC championship history.
Georgia’s overtime win came a week after their dramatic eight-overtime victory over Georgia Tech in the regular season.
“This team is beat up, we’re tired, we’re mentally fatigued,” Smart said. “But I don’t know if I’ve ever had a more mentally tough team. They just keep coming, keep coming. They never say die.”
Beck was injured in a wild play just before halftime when he tried to throw the ball into the end zone. Texas linebacker Trey Moore knocked the ball away, causing a scramble, and a Georgia lineman was tackled with the ball.
Beck stayed on the turf holding his arm, and eventually, he was helped off the field. Smart said that Beck’s game was done, but he returned later.
After Georgia stopped Texas with a field goal in overtime, Stockton had to leave for one play after being hit hard on a run. But just one play was all Georgia needed from Beck.
“When we got the play and everybody saw it was Carson, we were pretty juiced up,” said offensive lineman Tate Rutledge.
Beck handed the ball to Etienne, who ran for the touchdown. Despite his injury, Beck raised his left arm in celebration as his right arm hung by his side.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 358 yards and the Longhorns’ only touchdown, but he was sacked six times and threw two interceptions, both by Daylen Everette, who was named the game’s MVP.
Texas had a huge advantage in total yards during the first half, 260-54, but penalties hurt them. They only led 6-3 at halftime. The Longhorns finished the game with 11 penalties for 94 yards, including a false start that erased a field goal.
