Things looked bleak for Georgia football when backup quarterback Gunner Stockton entered for the second half as the Bulldogs faced a 6-3 deficit against Texas on Saturday.
But Stockton, who was in for Carson Beck after the latter suffered an injury on the final play of the first half, led a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on his first possession to give Georgia a 10-6 lead in the SEC championship game against Texas on Saturday, setting the tone for the Bulldogs’ second half.
Stockton finished the day 12 of 16 passing for 71 yards with an interception, leading Georgia’s two touchdown drives of the game.
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Beck’s story wasn’t over Saturday after getting injured, however: He returned to hand the ball off to running back Trevor Etienne, who scored Georgia’s game-winning, 4-yard rushing touchdown in overtime, which was forced after Texas tied the game on a field goal with 18 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Georgia stymied Texas’ rushing attack, as the Longhorns gained 31 yards on the ground Saturday. The Longhorns relied on quarterback Quinn Ewers and the passing game, as Ewers completed 27 of 46 passes for 358 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.
Texas was able to move the ball on Saturday, but it was Georgia’s ability to keep the Longhorns out of the end zone that was the difference in the SEC championship game.
Both teams will undoubtedly be in the College Football Playoff, with Georgia all but locking up a spot as one of the teams with a first-round bye in the CFP as one of the four highest-ranked conference champions this season. The Bulldogs, however, might be without Beck, meaning Stockton is going to need to build on his performance Saturday if Georgia wants to compete for the national championship.
Follow below for the recap and highlights of Georgia’s SEC championship win over Texas:
Texas vs Georgia score updates
This section will be updated when the game kicks off.
Georgia wins it
Etienne takes a handoff from 4 yards out for a touchdown, giving Georgia a 22-19 win in overtime in a crazy SEC championship game.
Beck came back in for the final play, handing it off to Etienne after Stockton took a big hit from Andrew Mukuba on the previous play. Georgia beats Texas for the second time this season, capping off an impressive performance when it needed it most.
Texas makes field goal
Texas takes a 19-16 lead on the field goal, as Georgia keeps the Longhorns out of the end zone.
Georgia wins it with a touchdown or keeps the overtimes going with a field goal.
Georgia wins OT toss, elects to defend
Georgia wins the coin toss, electing to defend first. Texas takes field to start overtime.
Bert Auburn makes game-tying field goal
Texas ties the game at 16 on the 36-yard field goal by Bert Auburn, who is 3 of 5 on attempts tonight.
This one is headed to overtime, barring chaos, with 16 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Georgia called for pass interference
Daylen Everette is called for pass interference on Texas’ Ryan Wingo, placing Texas on Georgia’s 19-yard line with 35 seconds remaining.
Texas wins it with a touchdown.
Texas picks up big fourth-and-2
Texas faces a pivotal fourth-and-2 with 1:19 left, which it converts as Ewers finds Moore Jr. for the first down.
Longhorns now at Georgia’s 29-yard line with 54 seconds remaining and two timeouts.
Huge mistake by Stockton
Stockton makes a huge mistake, as he tosses an interception to Jahdae Barron with 2:30 left in the fourth quarter on third-and-13.
Texas gets another chance trailing 16-13 and has plenty of time, with two timeouts and the looming 2-minute warning.
Daylen Everette with 2nd interception
Everette intercepts Ewers in a perfect spot, giving Georgia the ball with 3:31 left in the fourth quarter on Texas’ 29-yard line.
Ewers was sacked by Mykel Williams on the previous play, putting Texas in a third-and-18 before Everette’s interception.
Georgia takes 16-13 lead on field goal
Bulldogs drive 72 yards on 16 plays, knocking off 9:22 of game time, but they can’t find the end zone and settle for a field goal.
Woodring’s 21-yard field goal gives Georgia a 16-13 lead with 4:32 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Georgia fakes punt for first down
Gutsy call by Kirby Smart, but it works, as Georgia dials up a fake punt on fourth down to move the chains.
Direct snap went to backup center Drew Bobo, who tosses the ball to Arian Smith for a 9-yard gain.
Texas ties it at 13
Huge play for Texas, as Ewers makes a nice throw to DeAndre Moore Jr., who catches it and makes a defender miss for a 41-yard touchdown.
Moore Jr. had a huge jump on his opposing cornerback on the run-pass option dialed up by Sarkisian.
Georgia takes 13-6 lead
Bulldogs make it to red zone but are forced to kick a 24-yard field goal, which Peyton Woodring makes. Georgia takes a 13-6 lead with 16 seconds before the fourth quarter.
Georgia starts drive with huge play
Bulldogs getting the running game going, as Etienne takes the handoff for a 48-yard gain to Texas’ 19-yard line.
Stockton has given Georgia a spark sine he entered for Beck.
Bert Auburn misses another FG
Texas can’t get in the end zone, attempting another field goal. Auburn misses the 51-yard attempt, which is his second miss of the day.
Georgia still leads 10-6 with 4:56 to go in the third quarter.
Silas Bolden with nice return
Texas forces a punt from Georgia’s 12-yard line after Colin Simmons sacks Stockton for a 16-yard loss. Bolden then returned the punt for 26 yards, turning on the jets on the play.
Longhorns take over with great field position on Georgia’s 39-yard line.
Texas goes three-and-out
All the momentum has swung in Georgia’s favor, as the Bulldogs force a three-and-out on Texas’ first drive of the second half.
The Bulldogs look to extend their lead with Stockton now.
Georgia takes lead with Etienne TD
Georgia scores the first touchdown of the game, as Stockton leads a nice drive that gives the Bulldogs a spark.
The 10-play, 75-yard drive in 4:33 of game time ended in a 10-yard touchdown run by Etienne to give Georgia a 10-6 lead.
Stockton was 3 of 4 for 36 yards on the drive, along with two carries for 12 yards.
Lawson Luckie makes fantastic grab
Tight end Lawson Luckie makes a huge catch on second-and-6, hauling in a 14-yard catch he needed to jump for before narrowly coming down with the toe-tap catch in bounds.
That play got the crowd going in Atlanta.
Gunner Stockton in at QB for Georgia
Gunner Stockton is in at quarterback for Georgia, as Kirby Smart told ESPN that Beck will miss the rest of the game with his hand injury.
Brutal blow for Georgia.
Carson Beck injury update
It’s unclear what Beck’s injury is and how it’ll affect his status in the second half today, but Georgia is definitely hoping it isn’t major, especially with the College Football Playoff looming.
Here’s more on Beck’s injury:
Sarkisian upset in halftime interview
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is visibly upset in his halftime interview with ESPN’s Sam Ponder after Sarkisian was asked about the Longhorns’ multiple holding penalties in the first half.
‘Well, hopefully they call them for a holding one of these times, too,’ Sarkisian said.
Sarkisian then walked off the interview and to the locker room.
Beck intercepted on final play of first half
Beck throws an interception to Texas’ Anthony Hill on the final play of the half, which Hill tries to lateral to other defenders to try and score before halftime. The ball was then thrown backward and regained by Georgia, which didn’t matter as time expired.
Beck was injured on the play, getting up and heading off to the locker room after the ball was forced in the air by Texas’ Trey Moore.
It was a wild play to end the half, with two turnovers and multiple laterals.
Georgia goes three-and-out
Georgia continues to struggle offensively, going three-and-out after Texas’ missed field goal.
Texas takes over on its own 19-yard line following the punt.
Texas misses field goal
Ewers nearly throws an interception on third-and-5, forcing Texas to attempt another field goal. However, Auburn misses this time from 42 yards out, keeping the score at 6-3 with 4:31 remaining before halftime.
Georgia nearly kept Texas from tacking on another field goal as it dropped the interception, although it didn’t matter as Texas missed the field goal anyway.
Texas is missing out on scoring opportunities today, especially as it’s outgaining Georgia with 234 yards to Georgia’s 53.
Georgia gets on the board
Georgia drives 49 yards in eight plays, capping off its drive with a 44-yard field goal by Peyton Woodring.
The Bulldogs get three points back and reduce their deficit to 6-3 with 6:32 left in the first half.
Texas settles for field goal
After back-to-back negative plays, Texas gets pushed back to third-and-26, which it can’t convert.
The Longhorns then settle for a 42-yard field goal, Bert Auburn’s second make of the day. Texas leads 6-0 with 10:22 in the second quarter and has dominated time of possession with 15:18 of game time compared to Georgia’s 4:20.
Texas also holds a yards gained advantage, with 193 to Georgia’s nine.
Golden with another explosive play
Ewers make another great throw on third-and-14, as Golden beats Daniel Harris again in a 1-on-1 situation for a 32-yard gain.
Golden already has four receptions for 107 yards after the first quarter, while Ewers is 7 of 10 for 149 yards with an interception.
Georgia punts
Bulldogs have yet to get it going offensively in the first quarter, punting on their second possession.
Texas takes over at its own 20-yard line after the touchback.
Texas with back-to-back TD chances, can’t convert
Ewers had Gunnar Helm wide open for a touchdown, but Helm drops the pass before Bond was called for offensive pass interference anyway.
Ewers then throws a nice pass to Golden, who beat two Georgia defenders, but Golden couldn’t haul it in.
Texas settles for a field goal, taking a 3-0 lead with 5:17 to go in the first quarter.
Ewers hits Golden for 50-yard gain
Ewers drops back and heaves a pass on third-and-13 to Golden, who brings it down over Malaki Starks for a 50-yard gain.
Texas vertical passing game with some success early.
Georgia goes three-and-out
Georgia can’t capitalize off the turnover, as it goes three-and-out after Beck’s quarterback sneak on third-and-1 is stuffed.
Georgia took the field on fourth-and-1 but took a delay of game after trying to lure Texas offsides.
Isaiah Bond leads to Ewers interception
Ewers throws to Isaiah Bond on third-and-9, but Bond drops the pass and gives up on the play, resulting in Daylen Everette intercepting the ball as in deflected off Bond.
Just a brutal mistake for Bond to kill Texas’ momentum.
Fast start for Texas
Ewers and Texas with a quick start, as the Longhorns have yet to run the ball but are finding success through the air. Ewers is 3 of 4 passing for 47 yards, with a 22-yard pass to DeAndre Moore Jr. on third down and two passes for 25 yards to Matthew Golden.
Texas receives first
Longhorns to start with possession. We’re underway from Atlanta for the SEC championship game.
Kelvin Banks injury update
Texas star offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. is not suited up for the SEC championship game, as he was listed as a game-time decision on the SEC availability report. Banks Jr. gave it a go pregame, but it appears he’s unable to play today.
Huge loss for the Longhorns, as Banks Jr. is a projected first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
Quinn Ewers, Carson Beck getting loose
Texas and Georgia’s quarterbacks are on the field pregame with just a few minutes until kickoff.
Both teams needing big performances from their signal callers.
Texas vs Georgia time today
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Date: Saturday, Dec. 7
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Watch Texas-Georgia live with Fubo
What channel is Texas vs Georgia on today?
TV channel: ABC
Streaming: ESPN app, Fubo
Texas-Georgia will air live on ABC, with streaming options available on the ESPN app or Fubo.
Texas vs Georgia series history
Series record: Texas leads 4-2
Texas’ last win: 2019 (28-21)
Georgia’s last win: 2024 (30-15)
Texas vs Georgia predictions
Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald: Texas 27, Georgia 24
Georgia’s defense set the tone in the first game between these teams, but has been prone to giving up explosive plays down the stretch this season. This game could go either way, but there’s more confidence right now in Texas, which hasn’t lost since its last game with the Bulldogs.
USA TODAY staff: Four of six picked Texas over Georgia
Texas vs Georgia betting odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Dec. 6
Spread: Texas (-3)
Over/under: 50.5
Moneyline: Texas -150 | Georgia +125
Texas vs Georgia injury updates
Injury updates courtesy of the SEC’s availability report. This section will be updated pregame.
Texas: DB Derek Williams Jr. (out), RB CJ Baxter (out), RB Christian Clark (out), RB Velton Gardner (out), OL Kelvin Banks Jr. (questionable)
Georgia: DL Joseph Jonah-Ajonye (out), RB Trevor Etienne (questionable), RB Branson Robinson (questionable), RB Chauncey Bowens (questionable), DL Christen Miller (questionable)
Texas football 2024 schedule
Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Colorado State (W, 52-0)
Saturday, Sept. 7: at No. 10 Michigan (W, 31-12)
Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. UTSA (W, 56-7)
Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Louisiana-Monroe (W, 51-3)
Saturday, Sept. 28: vs. Mississippi State* (W, 35-13)
Saturday, Oct. 5: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 12: vs. Oklahoma (W, 34-3)
Saturday, Oct. 19: vs. No. 4 Georgia (L, 30-15)
Saturday, Oct. 26: at Vanderbilt* (W, 27-24)
Saturday, Nov. 2: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Florida* (W, 49-17)
Saturday, Nov. 16: at Arkansas* (W, 20-10)
Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Kentucky (W, 31-14)
Saturday, Nov. 30: at No. 20 Texas A&M (W, 17-7)
Record: 11-1, 7-1 SEC
*Denotes SEC game
Georgia football 2024 schedule
Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. No. 14 Clemson (W, 34-3)
Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Tennessee Tech (W, 48-3)
Saturday, Sept. 14: at Kentucky* (W, 13-12)
Saturday, Sept. 21: BYE
Saturday, Sept. 28: at No. 4 Alabama* (L, 41-34)
Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. Auburn* (W, 31-13)
Saturday, Oct. 12: vs. Mississippi State* (W, 41-31)
Saturday, Oct. 19: at No. 1 Texas* (W, 30-15)
Saturday, Oct. 26: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. Florida (Jacksonville)* (W, 34-20)
Saturday, Nov. 9: at No. 16 Ole Miss* (L, 28-10)
Saturday, Nov. 16: vs. No. 7 Tennessee* (L, 31-17)
Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. UMass (W, 59-21)
Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Georgia Tech (W, 44-21 8OT)
Record: 10-2, 6-2 SEC
*Denotes SEC game
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