ATLANTA — The Georgia Bulldogs had been struggling to get something going in opposition to Texas, and there was little cause to be hopeful of a turnaround with their quarterback crumpled on the turf. Enter a man who had barely performed in his faculty profession.
Little-used backup Gunner Stockton got here off the bench within the second half after an harm to Carson Beck and led No. 5 Georgia to an unbelievable 22-19 time beyond regulation victory over the No. 2 Longhorns within the Southeastern Conference championship recreation Saturday.
The Bulldogs (11-2) received their third SEC title underneath coach Kirby Smart, however the trophy comes with an excellent greater prize — a first-round bye within the new 12-team College Football Playoff.
Georgia got here into the sport ranked fifth by the CFP, however now it’s assured of taking part in within the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal recreation on New Year’s Day in pursuit of its third nationwide title in 4 seasons.
“This workforce by no means, ever says no,” a jubilant Smart stated amid the falling confetti at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Texas (11-2, No. 2 CFP ) was denied an SEC title capper to its first season within the league and can host a first-round recreation on both Dec. 20 or 21. Both of its losses have been to the Bulldogs, who prevailed 30-15 when the powerhouse applications met in Austin throughout the common season.
“This stings,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian stated. “But we get an opportunity to regroup in a pair weeks and get into the College Football Playoff and go compete for a nationwide championship. I believe we’re lots ok to go win that.”
The huge query for Georgia amid the celebration was the well being of Beck, the two-year starter who went down on the ultimate play of the primary half with an injured throwing arm.
Smart would solely name it an “higher extremity” harm and stated an MRI would decide the extent of the harm.
Stockton, a third-year sophomore, had performed solely six video games in his faculty profession — all of them mere mop-ups of blowout wins. He guided the Bulldogs to a landing and two discipline targets earlier than taking a tough hit on a run in time beyond regulation that despatched his helmet flying.
“This child is a winner,” Smart stated about his backup. “This child is particular.”
Beck, who may barely carry his arm, got here again within the recreation for first-and-goal on the 4. All he needed to do — and will do — was hand off to Trevor Etienne, who powered into the tip zone to finish the primary time beyond regulation recreation within the SEC championship’s 33-year historical past.
Georgia went past regulation to win for the second week in a row, following up an eight-overtime, 44-42 victory over Georgia Tech within the regular-season finale.
This one was even sweeter, particularly after shedding its offensive chief.
“We’re beat up, we’re drained, we’re mentally fatigued,” Smart stated. “But I don’t if I’ve ever had a extra mentally powerful workforce. They simply maintain coming, maintain coming. They by no means say die.”
Beck went down on a wild ultimate play of the primary half whereas attempting to heave one into the tip zone.
Trey Moore knocked the ball away with a blow to the best arm, setting off a wild scramble that ended with a few laterals and a Georgia lineman winding up with the ball.
More regarding for Georgia, Beck remained on the turf holding his throwing arm whereas teammates hovered over him. He lastly trotted slowly off the sphere, however Smart stated his day was finished.
Not fairly.
After holding Texas to a discipline objective on the opening possession of time beyond regulation, Stockton needed to depart the sport after a first-down run ended with successful that knocked off his helmet.
“When we acquired the play and all people noticed it was Carson, we had been fairly juiced up,” offensive lineman Tate Rutledge stated.
Etienne took the handoff from Beck and powered up the center. The ailing quarterback threw up his left arm in celebration, his proper arm hanging by his facet.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 358 yards, however was sacked six instances and threw a pair of interceptions.
The Longhorns had a 260-54 edge in whole yards within the first half, however regularly damage themselves with penalties and led solely 6-3. They completed with 11 flags for 94 yards, together with a false begin that worn out a discipline objective.
Faked out
In one of many greatest calls of the sport, Georgia drove for a go-ahead discipline objective within the fourth quarter with a little bit of chicanery and loads of success.
With punter Brett Thorson sidelined with an harm, the Bulldogs referred to as a gutsy pretend on fourth-and-5 at their very own 30.
The brief snap went to protector Drew Bobo — son of Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo — who flipped it to Arian Smith coming round finish for a 9-yard acquire on what was technically a move.
“He will go down with a better passing share than his father,” Smart quipped, referring to Mike Bobo’s quarterback days for Georgia within the Nineties.
The Bulldogs fumbled twice after the pretend however managed to recuperate it each instances earlier than settling for Peyton Woodring’s third discipline objective that made it 16-13 with 4 1/2 minutes left.
