The Georgia Bulldogs looked down and out, struggling offensively and without their starting quarterback, but a little-used backup rose to the occasion. Gunner Stockton, a third-year sophomore with minimal playing experience, came off the bench in the second half to lead No. 5 Georgia to a stunning 22-19 overtime victory over No. 2 Texas in the SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday night.
The victory not only secured Georgia (11-2) its third SEC title under head coach Kirby Smart but also guaranteed the Bulldogs a first-round bye in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. The Bulldogs, who entered the game ranked fifth by the CFP, are now locked in as the No. 2 seed and will play in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal on New Year’s Day.
Meanwhile, Texas (11-2) was denied an SEC title in its inaugural season in the league and will host a first-round playoff game later this month. The Longhorns, ranked second in the CFP, suffered both of their losses this season at the hands of Georgia, including a 30-15 defeat in Austin during the regular season.
Georgia’s starting quarterback, Carson Beck, a two-year starter and leader of the offense, went down on the final play of the first half with an apparent injury to his throwing arm. The play was chaotic, with Beck attempting a desperate heave into the end zone as time expired. Texas linebacker Trey Moore swatted the ball away with a hard hit to Beck’s arm, setting off a scramble that ended with a Georgia lineman being tackled. Beck lay on the turf clutching his arm as the team headed to the locker room.
Smart confirmed after the game that Beck suffered an “upper extremity” injury and would undergo an MRI to determine the severity. At halftime, the Bulldogs turned to Stockton, who had played only six games in his college career, all in garbage-time situations.
Despite his inexperience, Stockton delivered under immense pressure. The third-year sophomore led Georgia to a touchdown and two field goals in the second half, keeping the Bulldogs within striking distance. His poise was crucial in an offense that struggled to find rhythm against a tough Texas defense.
Stockton’s gritty performance came to a head in overtime, where he scrambled for a critical first down but was forced to leave the game after a hit knocked off his helmet. By rule, Stockton had to sit out the next play, leaving Georgia’s offense in a precarious position.
In a dramatic twist, Beck returned to the field, his throwing arm visibly immobile. His role was limited to handing the ball off to Trevor Etienne, who took the ball up the middle for the game-winning touchdown. As Etienne crossed the goal line, Beck raised his left arm in celebration, his right arm dangling at his side.
The Bulldogs celebrated their second consecutive overtime victory, following an eight-overtime thriller against Georgia Tech the previous week. This win, however, carried far greater stakes and emotion, as the team rallied around Stockton’s heroics and Beck’s determination.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 358 yards and a touchdown but was under relentless pressure from Georgia’s defense. Ewers was sacked six times and threw two costly interceptions to Georgia’s Daylen Everette, who was named the game’s MVP.
Despite outgaining Georgia 260-54 in total yards during the first half, the Longhorns managed only a 6-3 lead at halftime due to penalties and missed opportunities. Texas was flagged 11 times for 94 yards, including a false start that nullified a field goal attempt.
For Georgia, the win secures a chance to continue their pursuit of a third national championship in four seasons. However, the Bulldogs’ immediate concern is the health of Beck, whose status will be critical for their playoff run.
Texas, while disappointed, remains a formidable contender in the playoff. With home-field advantage in the first round, the Longhorns will look to regroup and make a deep postseason push.
The 2024 SEC Championship will be remembered as a testament to Georgia’s resilience and the emergence of an unlikely hero in Gunner Stockton. For Texas, it’s a bitter reminder of how close they came to an SEC title in their first year in the conference.
Both teams now set their sights on the College Football Playoff, where the stakes will be even higher.
