The Georgia Bulldogs will have to see if lighting can strike twice for its now-starting quarterback, Gunner Stockton, during the 2025 Sugar Bowl.
The redshirt sophomore took the helm as UGA’s QB after Carson Beck got injured during the first half of the SEC Championship Game in December. Beck was attempting a deep shot into the end zone when he was hit from behind by a Texas defensive lineman in the middle of his throwing motion.
Beck has since had surgery on his right elbow to repair his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and is recovering while he also declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
But despite the shakeup during the SEC Championship, Stockton took to the field in the second half of the game — adding a bit of spark for the Dawgs. Georgia had only scored three points in the first half, and the Dawgs went on to win the SEC Championship in overtime against Texas, 22-19.
During the game, Stockton turned in a mostly efficient stewardship of the Bulldogs’ offense, completing 13 of his 16 pass attempts for 135 yards with an interception. The numbers weren’t eye-popping, but the Dawgs found an offensive rhythm in the second half with Stockton under center.
After the SEC Championship victory, Smart had emotional praise for Stockton.
“The kid’s a winner. This kid’s special,” Smart said. “He’s a winner.”
Smart elaborated in postgame comments, calling Stockton a “phenomenal leader” and saying that he felt like “everybody rose up around him” in the second half.
As the Dawgs gear up for Thursday’s rescheduled Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame, fans await how the new man in charge will fare in this highly anticipated game. A win for Georgia means the Bulldogs are headed to the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl.
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