ATLANTA — The Georgia Bulldogs have been struggling to get something going in opposition to 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 school 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 Convention championship recreation Saturday.
The Bulldogs (11-2) received their third SEC title underneath coach Kirby Good, however the trophy comes with a good greater prize — a first-round bye within the new 12-team School Soccer Playoff.
Georgia got here into the sport ranked fifth by the CFP, however now it’s assured of enjoying within the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal recreation on New Yr’s Day in pursuit of its third nationwide title in 4 seasons.
“This team never, ever says no,” a jubilant Good mentioned 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. Each 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 mentioned. “But we get a chance to regroup in a couple weeks and get into the College Football Playoff and go compete for a national championship. I think we’re plenty good enough 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.
Good would solely name it an “upper extremity” damage and mentioned an MRI would decide the extent of the harm.
Stockton, a third-year sophomore, had performed solely six video games in his school profession — all of them mere mop-ups of blowout wins. He guided the Bulldogs to a landing and two subject objectives earlier than taking a tough hit on a run in extra time that despatched his helmet flying.
“This kid is a winner,” Good mentioned about his backup. “This kid is special.”
Beck, who may barely raise 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 extra time 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 tired, we’re mentally fatigued,” Good mentioned. “But I don’t if I’ve ever had a more mentally tough team. They just keep coming, keep coming. They never say die.”
Beck went down on a wild remaining play of the primary half whereas making an attempt to heave one into the tip zone.
Trey Moore knocked the ball away with a blow to the fitting arm, setting off a wild scramble that ended with a few laterals and a Georgia lineman winding up with the ball.
Extra 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 Good mentioned his day was carried out.
Not fairly.
After holding Texas to a subject aim on the opening possession of extra time, Stockton needed to depart the sport after a first-down run ended with a success that knocked off his helmet.
“When we got the play and everybody saw it was Carson, we were pretty juiced up,” offensive lineman Tate Rutledge mentioned.
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 threw a pair of interceptions.
The Longhorns had a 260-54 edge in whole yards within the first half, however regularly 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 subject aim.
Faked out
In one of many greatest calls of the sport, Georgia drove for a go-ahead subject aim within the fourth quarter with a little bit of chicanery and loads of luck.
With punter Brett Thorson sidelined with an damage, the Bulldogs known as a gutsy pretend on fourth-and-5 at their very own 30.
The quick 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 achieve on what was technically a cross.
“He will go down with a higher passing percentage than his father,” Good quipped, referring to Mike Bobo’s quarterback days for Georgia within the Nineties.
The Bulldogs fumbled twice after the pretend however managed to get better it each instances earlier than settling for Peyton Woodring’s third subject aim that made it 16-13 with 4 1/2 minutes left.
