Marcus Freeman reveals how Georgia QB change impacts Sugar Bowl preparation

As the first half ticked away in the SEC Championship against Texas, Georgia saw its season change dramatically when Carson Beck went down with an elbow injury. That means Gunner Stockton will take over for the College Football Playoff, starting with the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame.

Since Stockton has only appeared in eight games over the last two years, Marcus Freeman and the staff have to look at a few different areas while breaking down film. The first is how Georgia’s offense looked with Beck at quarterback. The second is what Stockton has done during his time on the field, which includes the second half of the SEC title game.

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From a scheme standpoint, Freeman doesn’t see much difference between the two. However, he noted the traits that stand out about Stockton as Notre Dame gets ready for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal.

“You evaluate, obviously, schematically, what they’ve done all season,” Freeman said. “And then, you have a separate of what Stockton – the new quarterback – has done. I think we have 80-something plays of him playing quarterback. He can run their offense. He does some things a little bit differently – he can extend plays with his legs, he’s a good athlete.

“The thing I probably noticed more than anything in watching those 80 plays is he’s an ultra-competitive individual. You can just tell by the way he celebrates, by the way he goes and finishes plays, he’s a competitor. I don’t see it being tremendously different than what they’ve done all season. But we’ll prepare for anything.”

In his four appearances this season, Stockton has throw for 206 yards. That includes 71 yards in the second half against Texas as he took over the offense to eventually lead Georgia to an SEC title for the second time in three years.

Heading into the College Football Playoff, the question was whether Stockton would be the starter or if Beck would be able to play. On3’s Pete Nakos first reported Beck would miss the Sugar Bowl, and Georgia later announced he would undergo surgery. That ended his season and, as a result, meant Stockton will go forward as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback into the CFP.

Georgia and Notre Dame will play in the Sugar Bowl Jan. 1. The game will cap off a quarterfinal tripleheader with an 8:45 p.m. ET kickoff.