The Georgia Bulldogs are SEC champions despite losing quarterbacks late in the first half and in the final overtime against second-ranked Texas Saturday in Atlanta.
Backup shooter Stockton’s helmet flew off in a frightening moment as he was batted down by the Longhorns’ Andrew Mukuba on the penultimate play of the game. The eight-yard gain gave the Bulldogs a crucial first down at the Texas 4-yard line. But even though Stockton was able to walk away from the violent collision, head coach Kirby Smart gently removed him from the game.
After a targeting flag fell, injured starter Carson Beck returned to the field for the final play, handing the lead to running back Trevor Etienne for a four-yard touchdown and a 22–19 victory. Beck had previously been ruled out of the game after suffering an injury to his throwing arm late in the first half, but was good enough to hand the ball to Etienne and earn the Bulldogs’ second SEC crown in the past three years to conquer.
The ailing quarterback threw up his left arm in celebration, while his right arm hung at his side.
Beck continued a wild slot game of the first half while trying to get one into the end zone. Texas’ Trey Moore knocked the ball away with a right arm punch, setting off a wild melee that ended with a pair of laterals and a Georgia lineman ending up with the ball.
Adding to Georgia’s concern, Beck remained on the grass with his throwing arm in his hand while teammates hovered above him. He eventually trotted slowly off the field, but Smart said his day was over before proving him wrong in overtime.
Stockton, who was in the game in place of Beck, was hit by two Longhorns during the play
Backup shooter Stockton’s helmet flew off when he was taken down by a pair of Texas Longhorns defenders on the penultimate play of the game
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) is injured on the turf during the first half against Texas
Texas Longhorns’ Trey Moore #8 tackles Carson Beck #15 on the final play of the first half
Carson Beck started and finished the SEC Championship despite being injured in the first half
Gunner Stockton was removed from the match after a brutal goal in the penultimate action
The Bulldogs (11-2) won their third SEC title under Smart, but the trophy comes with an even bigger prize: a first-round bye in the new 12-team College Football Playoff. Georgia came into the game ranked fifth in the CFP, but is now assured of advancing to the Sugar Bowl quarterfinals on New Year’s Day in search of its third league title in four seasons.
Texas (11-2, No. 2 CFP) was denied an SEC title capper in its first season in the league and will be forced to host a first-round game on Dec. 20 or 21. the Bulldogs, who prevailed 30-15 when the powerhouses met in Austin during the regular season.
But the big question for Georgia during the celebration was the health of Beck, the two-year starter who went down with an injured throwing arm on the final play of the first half.
Stockton, a third-year sophomore, had played just six games in his college career — all just a sweep of big wins. He led the Bulldogs to a touchdown and two field goals before taking a hard hit during an overtime run that sent his helmet flying.
Beck, barely able to lift his arm, came back into the game for first-and-goal at the 4. All he had to do – and could do – was hand off to Trevor Etienne, who drove into the end zone to to end the match. first overtime game in the 33-year history of the SEC Championship.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 358 yards but was sacked six times and threw a pair of interceptions.