ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia Bulldogs had been struggling to get something going towards Texas, and there was little motive 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 damage to Carson Beck and led No. 5 Georgia to an unbelievable 22-19 extra time victory over the No. 2 Longhorns within the Southeastern Conference championship sport Saturday.
The Bulldogs (11-2) gained their third SEC title beneath 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 enjoying within the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal sport on New Year’s Day in pursuit of its third nationwide title in 4 seasons.
“This group 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 sport 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 through 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 large 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” damage and stated an MRI would decide the extent of the injury.
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 objectives earlier than taking a tough hit on a run in extra time that despatched his helmet flying.
“This child is a winner,” Smart stated. “This child is particular.”
Beck, who may barely raise his arm, got here again within the sport 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 top zone to finish the primary extra time sport 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 dropping 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 group. They simply preserve coming, preserve coming. They by no means say die.”
Beck went down on a wild closing play of the primary half whereas making an attempt to heave one into the top zone. Trey Moore knocked the ball away with a blow to the correct arm, setting off a scramble that ended with a few laterals and a Georgia lineman being tackled with the ball.
More regarding for the Bulldogs, Beck remained on the turf holding his throwing arm whereas teammates hovered over him. He lastly trotted slowly to the locker room, however Smart stated his day was achieved.
Not fairly.
After holding Texas to a discipline aim on the opening possession of extra time, Stockton needed to depart the sport for at the very least one play after his first-down run ended with a blow that knocked off his helmet.
One play was all of the Bulldogs wanted from Beck.
“When we obtained 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 aspect.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 358 yards, however was sacked six instances and had a pair of interceptions — each by Daylen Everette, who was picked as the sport’s MVP.
The Longhorns had a 260-54 edge in complete yards within the first half, however frequently harm 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 aim.
Faked out
In one of many largest calls of the sport, Georgia drove for a go-ahead discipline aim within the fourth quarter arrange by gutsy faux after punter Brett Thorson was sidelined with an damage.
On fourth-and-5 at their very own 30, the Bulldogs snapped the ball to protector Drew Bobo — son of Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo — who flipped it to Arian Smith coming round finish for a 9-yard achieve that was technically a go.
“He will go down with the next passing share than his father,” Smart quipped, referring to Mike Bobo’s quarterback days for Georgia within the Nineteen Nineties.
The Bulldogs had been additionally fairly lucky. They fumbled twice after the faux however managed to recuperate each instances earlier than settling for Peyton Woodring’s third discipline aim, which made it 16-13 with 4 1/2 minutes left.
Takeaway
Texas: This one actually has to sting for the Longhorns, who squandered a major likelihood to complete off their SEC debut season with a championship. The operating sport struggled to get something going, ending with simply 31 yards on 28 carries. And there are many questions on an offensive line that gave up a complete of 13 sacks within the two losses to the Bulldogs.
Georgia: The neatest thing for the Bulldogs is incomes further relaxation for the playoff, particularly with Beck ailing. But give loads of kudos to Stockton, who accomplished 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards and shook off an interception that gave Texas an opportunity to drive for Bert Auburn’s 27-yard discipline aim with 18 seconds left that despatched the sport OT.
Up subsequent
Texas: The Longhorns will certainly host a first-round sport, however now must win 4 video games to seize a nationwide championship.
Georgia: Smart says he plans to have fun for possibly 48 hours — as an alternative of his customary 24-hour rule — as a result of the Bulldogs don’t play once more for almost 4 weeks.
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