No Carson Beck? No problem.
The Georgian bulldogs earned a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff by winning the SEC championship game against Texas 22-19 in an overtime classic.
Texas was held to a field goal on its first possession in overtime, and Beck returned to the game on a first-and-goal as Gunner Stockton’s helmet had fallen off on the previous play. Beck handed it off to Trevor Etienne, who waltzed into the end zone for the win.
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Trevor Etienne of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates his touchdown with teammates against the Texas Longhorns during the third quarter of the 2024 SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on December 7, 2024. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Georgia was in trouble in the first half, but then it all seemed to come crashing down when Beck injured his arm on the final play of the half. Kirby Smart said Beck would not return with the Bulldogs trailing 6-3.
But Stockton’s first ride was a storybook one. He marched Georgia 75 yards in 10 plays, and Etienne rushed in for a score. It was the first touchdown of the game and the Bulldogs had their first lead. Texas then missed a field goal and Georgia added three more points to take a 13-6 lead just before the start of the final quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Quinn Ewers found DeAndre Moore on a rush, and Moore did the rest for a tying 41-yard touchdown. On the next drive, the Longhorns forced a three-and-out — or so they thought.
Shooter Stockton (14) of the Georgia Bulldogs wideout David Gbenda (33) of the Texas Longhorns during the third quarter of the 2024 SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, December 7, 2024. (Butch Dill/Getty Images)
Georgia went into its bag of tricks and faked a punt on fourth-and-5 from its own end and converted. The Bulldogs parlayed that into a drive that lasted more than nine minutes, almost the amount of time they had the ball in the entire first half. And it ended with a field goal to put the Bulldogs up three with 4:32 to go.
There was plenty of time for the Longhorns, but on third down… Quinn Ewers threw an interception, giving Georgia the ball with 3:36 left inside the Texas 30-yard line. However, Stockton, on third-and-13, returned the favor, giving Ewers a chance at redemption. The Longhorns came within field goal range and Bert Auburn, who had previously missed two field goals, scored the tying goal to send the game into overtime.
It was without a doubt Stockton’s biggest game of his life. His previous seven appearances were mostly in blowouts and meaningless matches. His previous career high pass attempts were 12. On Saturday, he threw the rock 16 times, completing 12 passes for 71 yards.
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton warms up before the SEC Championship against the Texas Longhorns on Dec. 7, 2024, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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It was just a week ago when the Bulldogs went eight overtime against Georgia Tech. While this one was shorter, it’s definitely a lot more fun for the Bulldogs.
It was Texas’ second loss this season. It also came for the first time against Georgia on Oct. 19 in Austin.
It remains to be seen if the Longhorns will have a home game in the first round of the playoffs. However, for that they would have to lose at least seven places.
There is a chance that these two teams will meet for the third time – in the national championship.
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