No. 5 Georgia pulls off another feat in overtime, beating No. 2 Texas 22-19 for the SEC title.
ATLANTA– Gunner Stockton, a little-known backup who had barely played for Georgia, came off the bench after an injury to Carson Beck and led the group. Bulldogs #5 to an improbable 22-19 overtime victory over No. 2 Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Saturday.
The Bulldogs (11-2) won their third SEC title under coach Kirby Smart, but the trophy came with an even bigger prize: a first-round bye in the new College Football Playoff to 12 teams. Georgia entered the game ranked fifth in the CFP, but is now assured of a Sugar Bowl quarterfinal game on New Year’s Day in pursuit of its third national title in four seasons.
Texas (11-2, No. 2 CFP ) was denied the SEC championship title in its first season in the league and will host a first-round game on December 20 or 21. Both of its losses were to the Bulldogs, who prevailed 30-15 when the powerhouse programs met. in Austin during the regular season.
But the big question for Georgia amid the celebration was the health of Beck, the two-year starter who was lost on the final play of the first half with an injured throwing arm.
Stockton, a sophomore, had played in just six games during his college career – all mere sweeps of blowout victories. He guided the Bulldogs to a touchdown and two field goals before take a hard hit on an overtime run that sent his helmet flying.
Beck, who could barely raise 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 entered the end zone to end the first overtime game in the 33-year history of the SEC Championship.
Georgia went beyond regulation to win for the second straight week, following a 44-42 victory in eight overtimes against Georgia Tech in the regular season finale.
This one was even sweeter, especially after losing their offensive leader.
Beck fell a wild final piece of the first half trying to push one into the end zone. Trey Moore knocked the ball away with a jab to the right arm, sparking a wild scramble that ended with a few laterals and a Georgia lineman ending up with the ball.
More worryingly for Georgia, Beck remained on the turf holding his throwing arm while his teammates hovered over him. He eventually trotted slowly off the field, but Smart declared his day over.
Not quite.
After holding Texas to a field goal on the first possession of overtime, Stockton had to leave the game after a first down ended with a hit that knocked his helmet off.
Etienne took over from Beck and propelled the middle. The ailing quarterback raised his left arm in celebration, his right arm hanging at his side.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 358 yards, but was sacked six times and threw two interceptions.
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