With Carson Beck undergoing UCL surgery, the Georgia Bulldogs will turn to third-year sophomore QB Gunner Stockton to lead them in the College Football Playoff. And if the program’s Saturday, Dec. 28., press conference is anything to go by, the Dawgs believe Stockton can lead them all the way to the national championship.
Georgia Bulldogs Share Belief in QB Gunner Stockton
On the final play of the first half of the SEC Championship Game, Georgia attempted a Hail Mary pass down 6-3, and it went as bad as it could’ve.
Not only did Beck fumble while attempting to launch the ball downfield, but his throwing arm was bent back awkwardly, resulting in a recent UCL surgery that will keep him from throwing until spring 2025.
Coming out of halftime, all eyes were on who would play under center for the Bulldogs. The answer: Stockton.
The Georgia native out of Rabun County High School — where he set state records in career passing touchdowns, passing yards, and rushing TDs — stepped in and led the Dawgs on a 10-play, 75-yard TD drive fresh out of the locker room.
Two more field goals later, Georgia geared up for the SEC title game’s first-ever overtime against the No. 2 team in the country. The defense held Quinn Ewers and Co. to a field goal, giving the offense a chance to win the game — no pressure.
Stockton went 3 of 3 for 11 yards and ran for another eight. However, those eight yards cost him, as he received a blow that rocked his helmet off. Yet, it was enough to set up Trevor Etienne’s four-yard, game-winning rushing score, a play Beck had to execute while barely able to lift his right arm.
Beck finished the game 7 of 13 for 56 yards, while Stockton went 12 of 16 for 71 yards and an interception.
When asked what he told Stockton during halftime, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said, “I didn’t say one word to him. [Offensive coordinator Mike] Bobo did, and all the coaches did. He believes. This kid is a winner, man; this kid is special. He’s a winner.”
Smart wasn’t the only one heaping praise on Stockton, who will lead the program through the playoffs. Ahead of their quarterfinal contest against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, several players and coaches discussed what Stockton brings to the table.
“I’d say the way he just takes control of the huddle. Now, I can tell he’s got full control of our huddle,” guard Tate Ratledge said when asked about Stockton’s growth in his preparation. “And the way he steps in, calls the plays, and just goes about his business. And then, I mean, I walked in here the other night at 10 o’clock because I forgot something; Gunner’s sitting in there watching film.
“So just his buy-in right now is what’s huge, and just the respect he has for everybody.”
The “first one in; last one out” narrative is as old as time, but that doesn’t diminish its significance, especially on the collegiate stage. But don’t just take Ratledge’s word for it.
“Yeah, I mean, me and Gunner, we go back a long way. I mean, since high school, we’ve known each other, and I’ve lived with him since I got here,” said TE Oscar Delp. “It was a special moment for both of us.
I mean, getting to have him come in there and play alongside each other was really cool, and I’m just so happy for him. I get to see the work he puts in every day, and I know how hard he works and how hard he prepares, even when he wasn’t playing. I mean, he’s watching film four, five hours a night after practice, and he didn’t know if he was going to play a snap that week. And for it to finally kind of all come full circle was super cool.”
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Of course, teammates are always going to sing each other’s praises, but Stockton has clearly earned their respect through his preparation. His reach has extended to offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, who tripled down on the QB’s mental makeup.
“He’s approached it just like he has all season. I can’t say enough for the way he started the season and approached every game, which sometimes that’s just words that we say. You gotta be ready, but his day in and day out, how he approached getting ready for the game as if he was a starter, I think has prepared him for this moment.
“If you asked me that last year, I don’t think he had that same mindset. We talked about it going into the season, ‘you gotta prepare as you’re the starter every week.’ And he took that to heart, and he did an excellent job of that. Now, moving into this game prep, things are centered around him and his strengths and what he does well. That was the difference here on weeks before, where it was centered around Carson [Beck] and what he does well with our football team.
“Now it’s centered around Gunner and what he does well. So things are a little bit more specific to him. Questions are asked to him, whether he likes this scheme or this play going into practice, and whether we carry it or not. … So I think he’s handled it well, he’s preparing, he’s getting ready to play a very, very tough opponent, a very good defensive football team.”
As the Bulldogs prepare for the College Football Playoff, all eyes are on Stockton. Now, he has the chance to turn the program’s belief into a long-lasting legacy, with the national championship within reach.
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