Kirby Smart reacts to Gunner Stockton’s performance in second half of SEC Championship

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart was forced to turn to backup quarterback Gunner Stockton in the second half of the SEC Championship Game when Carson Beck went down with an injury. It was a difficult situation but one that Stockton seemed to thrive in, sparking the Bulldogs’ offense.

Stockton’s play was everything that Smart hoped it could have been and more, as he explained in his press conference following the overtime win.

“Incredible,” Kirby Smart said. “I mean, the players believe in Gunner. They love Gunner. The juice that he brought and the passion and energy. And he lives with three or four of those guys, Drew [Bobo] and Oscar [Delp] and some of them, and it was like it gave us an added boost of energy. They were fired up. They were trying to keep him composed.”

Gunner Stockton completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards and an interception in one half and an overtime period of work. He also carried the ball for eight yards, though sack yardage was taken off his rushing total for the game.

At the time when Stockton came into the game, the Texas Longhorns had a 6-3 lead. He led the Bulldogs to a touchdown drive to open the second half, which sparked Georgia as they would go on to win the game in overtime.

“I thought the offensive staff did a good job helping Gunner out, with the way they call the game,” Smart said. “And he did a good job executing. The only mistake he had, and I feel like it was partially on us, is we just didn’t get the call in. He got the call in early. He didn’t get the call out. He didn’t have time to evaluate what they were doing. If he sees that, he can pick it up and do some things with it. But again, we were down on the shot clock. And he had the third down, he throws the pick there that could have been costly.”

During overtime, Gunner Stockton lost his helmet on a hard hit and had to leave the game for the final play, a rushing touchdown to win. Despite that hit, Kirby Smart shared that he should be fine. That’s massive with Carson Beck’s status uncertain moving forward.

“But, man, the kid played just tough as nails. I mean, and he hadn’t had to play much this year. That’s the hardest part is you don’t get a chance to play these guys. The Florida State game is probably the most he’s played,” Smart said. “But can’t say enough about his toughness, character, whatever you want to say. The guy’s a phenomenal leader. He made some good plays. And everybody else rose up around him.”

With the win, Georgia won the SEC Championship and, essentially, clinched a first round bye in the College Football Playoff.