Georgia’s quest for a 3rd nationwide championship in 4 years may must unfold with the Bulldogs’ backup quarterback orchestrating their offense.
Star signal-caller Carson Beck, a backup on Georgia’s title groups in 2021 and 2022, has been “exploring” surgical procedure that’d restore an elbow damage, and the Bulldogs are “preparing” to function with out Beck throughout the Faculty Soccer Playoff, in response to ESPN.
The outlet added that Beck’s return this season is considered as unlikely, which suggests redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton would begin Georgia’s quarterfinal sport on Jan. 1.
Beck’s damage occurred throughout Georgia’s victory over Texas within the SEC championship sport when edge rusher Trey Moore tore towards Beck close to the top of the primary half and linked along with his elbow whereas the redshirt senior was in his throwing movement.
Stockton changed Beck for the second half and accomplished 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards and an interception.
However after he took a late hit in time beyond regulation, Beck changed him and handed the ball off to working again Trevor Etienne for the championship-sealing landing.
“This kid is a winner,” Good mentioned of Stockton postgame, in response to ESPN. “This kid is special.”
If Beck can’t return, Georgia, which faces the winner of Notre Dame and Indiana within the quarterfinals, would depend on Stockton to interchange the quarterback who may grow to be one of many high signal-callers taken in April’s NFL draft behind Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward and Quinn Ewers.
Stockton made 4 cameos — together with the convention title sport — throughout the season, finishing 25 of 32 passes for 206 yards and an interception.
After changing Beck towards the Longhorns, Stockton led Georgia on three prolonged scoring drives — 10 performs and 75 yards for a landing, 9 performs and 61 yards for a area objective, 16 performs and 72 yards for a area objective — to assist hold tempo with Texas and Ewers.
“Well, I think his strengths are somewhat different than Carson’s, obviously,” Georgia head coach Kirby Good advised reporters earlier this month, in response to ESPN. “But we’ve known that. There’s not a game we don’t go into that we don’t have a plan for Gunner if he were to have to play. I mean, when he’s your backup quarterback he’s got to be ready to play.”
And after Beck’s newest damage replace, that is perhaps the case for Georgia’s total postseason run because the No. 2 seed.