The Georgia Bulldogs are SEC champions despite losing quarterbacks at both the end of the first half and final overtime against second-ranked Texas on Saturday in Atlanta.
Backup Gunner Stockton’s helmet flew off in a frightening moment as he was slammed by the Longhorns’ Andrew Mukuba on the penultimate play of the game. The eight-yard gain gave the Bulldogs a crucial first down on Texas’ 4-yard line. But even though Stockton was able to walk away from the violent collision, head coach Kirby Smart cautiously removed him from the game.
After a targeting flag was overturned, injured starter Carson Beck came back on the field for the last play to hand off to star running back Trevor Etienne for a four-yard touchdown and a 22-19 victory. Beck had been ruled out earlier after suffering an injury to his throwing arm at the end of the first half, but was well enough to give the ball to Etienne to clinch the Bulldogs’ second SEC crown of the last three years.
The ailing quarterback threw up his left arm in celebration, his right arm hanging by his side.
‘This team never, ever says no,’ a jubilant Smart said amid the confetti falling at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Beck went down on a wild final play of the first half while trying to heave one into the end zone. Texas’ Trey Moore knocked the ball away with a blow to the right arm, setting off a wild scramble that ended with a couple of laterals and a Georgia lineman winding up with the ball.
Stockton, who was in the game in place of Beck, was hit by two Longhorns on the play
Backup Gunner Stockton’s helmet flew off as he was taken down by a pair of Texas Longhorns defenders on the penultimate play of the game
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) lies on the turf injured against Texas during the first half
Trey Moore #8 of the Texas Longhorns tackles Carson Beck #15 on the first half’s final play
Carson Beck started and finished the SEC Championship despite getting hurt in the first half
Gunner Stockton was removed from the game after a brutal hit on the penultimate play
More concerning for Georgia, Beck remained on the turf holding his throwing arm while teammates hovered over him. He finally trotted slowly off the field, but Smart said his day was done before proving himself wrong in overtime.
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 by the CFP, but now it is assured of playing in the 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 an SEC title capper on its first season in the league and will be forced to host a first-round game on either Dec. 20 or 21. Both of its losses have been 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 went down on the final play of the first half with an injured throwing arm.
Stockton, a third-year sophomore, had played only six games in his college career – all of them mere mop-ups of blowout wins. He guided the Bulldogs to a touchdown and two field goals before taking the hit that ended his evening.
Beck, who could barely lift his arm, came back in the game for first-and-goal at the 4. All he had to do – and could do – was hand off to Etienne, who powered into the end zone to end the first overtime game in the SEC championship’s 33-year history.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 358 yards, but was sacked six times and threw a pair of interceptions.
