ATHENS - Georgia Bulldog quarterback Gunner Stockton spoke with reporters this week about Georgia’s upcoming SEC Championship game matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Q. Gunner, you've done a lot of winning going back to high school. Two losses as a starter at Georgia. Was it easy to turn the page after the Alabama game in September? What was that like for you after that loss?
GUNNER STOCKTON: For me as a competitor, I can't stand to lose. I mean, at the end of the day finish the regular season 11-1, set us up for a chance to play in the SEC Championship. Just a chance to play in an unreal game.
Q. Last time you played Alabama you had a season low five rushing attempts against any SEC opponent. Is there something after the Alabama game you noticed where you could use your legs more as an advantage? Is that something you'll try to do this weekend?
GUNNER STOCKTON: I think after the 'Bama game, our offense and team have grown up a bunch. We just been playing pretty good football. We came closer together. Just being able to execute coach's game plan, having a better week of prep. Just being able to execute is the biggest part, kind of knowing the game plan, everybody doing their part.
Q. You obviously have done a ton of winning. Not a lot of that has come against Alabama. How much of the history of this Georgia-Alabama series hangs over this game or influences how you go about preparing?
GUNNER STOCKTON: Yeah, I mean, everybody knows the history of Georgia-Alabama. I mean, it's there. I mean, they can't transfer a win, a loss, to this game. This is its own game by itself.
That's the way we're approaching it. Just approaching it like any other game, preparing the right way during the week, setting yourself up for success when Saturday comes.
Q. What have you seen out of Malachi Toliver as a center?
GUNNER STOCKTON: Yeah, he's been awesome. Since he's got here, he's always been working this whole season. He's always put in the work. Against Charlotte, when he got his chance, he played his butt off. He always is straining and working hard for the team.
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Q. Being a full-time student, how are you balancing the regular season and now the SEC Championship?
GUNNER STOCKTON: Yeah, I got to graduate this past summer, so my course load wasn't too heavy this semester. That's helped me out a lot.
But I actually finished up last week with all my classes. Just went ahead and got everything done. I'm excited I don't really have to think about that, or after football have to go home and do any homework. I'm kind of excited like that.
Q. What is a day in the life for you as a student?
GUNNER STOCKTON: I had classes on Tuesday and Thursday. I had one or two classes that met every other week. I had two online. My online classes I just kind of got ahead in those. Didn't have to really worry about too much homework when I got those done.
Q. Can you put into perspective maybe night and day of busting into action, halftime of the SEC title game, now being the guy leading? Reflect back on a year ago, how different that world is.
GUNNER STOCKTON: Yeah, last year it was crazy. I was preparing each week like I was a starter, just trying to watch a lot of film and be ready. It was hard the whole year just having to make myself watch film through each week, not playing. Then when the time came, I was ready. I was excited just to go play with my teammates.
Now as just the starter, a different mindset of leading the team. But it's an opportunity I'm blessed to be in this situation. Glad I get to go do that with my teammates.
Q. As far as growth goes, some guys are transfers, a modified offensive package built around your skills. When we talk about your growth, can you share some of those different areas where you feel like you've grown as the season has progressed?
GUNNER STOCKTON: Yeah, I think I've grown just my confidence as the season's gone just 'cause at the start of the season I didn't have that many banked reps on plan. I mean, as the season's gone on, on the road at Tennessee, Auburn, just those environments of boosting my confidence. Just being able to play week in and week out with my teammates, they give me that confidence that I need.
Q. As you've studied Alabama's defense, what stands out about some of the keys for this offense to be successful?
GUNNER STOCKTON: Yeah, they have a great defense. Just the way they attack the ball. They have a bunch of turnovers for the year. Not only interceptions, just the way they attack the ball and try to get strip-outs.
I think that credits them to just how they run to the ball, just the way they swarm the ball, as well.
Q. As it relates to your game against Georgia Tech, getting the win was the most important thing, but when you looked at the film, what areas do you want to improve on?
GUNNER STOCKTON: Yeah, I talked about just calming down, doing what I do week in and week out and during practice, just doing the basic stuff that I'm taught to do.
I'm excited for this week of prep just to get back on the field, just practice with my teammates.
Q. I wanted your thoughts on having a second shot at a team, somebody that you lost to before. Just getting a chance to play a team for the second time.
GUNNER STOCKTON: Yeah, I think getting to play a team for a second time, one of the biggest parts you get to watch the film from the game before. You can learn from some things from the game previous. Just being able to go into the week of prep, attack it like a mindset. We're getting to play in the SEC Championship game, awesome venue. We're excited for the opportunity.
Q. You're the quarterback of the offense. On the other side of the football, you have CJ and Raylen. What have you thought about the way they've been able to lead the defense?
GUNNER STOCKTON: They're awesome. Just to see how much hard work they put into it, just their leadership on that side of the ball is awesome. Just the leadership they have on this team is nothing like no other. You can credit that to those two guys.
Q. I know the SEC Championship is its own reward. How much do you talk about or think about the added motivation of protecting a top four College Football Playoff seed and being able to play for a first-round bye?
GUNNER STOCKTON: That all comes with it. At the end of the day we're playing Alabama in the SEC Championship. That's all we're focused on right now. If we do what we got to do, it will all work out for us. That's kind of what we're focused on right now.
Q. You participated on the Senior Day pregame ceremony. Do you have a set plan for what comes next year for you?
GUNNER STOCKTON: Yeah, I really have not thought about it. I went out with Senior Day because those are all the guys I came in with. Just a moment to kind of look back, just appreciate all the things that came with that.
